A compound sentence is a sentence which has two or more independent clauses, and which has a complete meaning. A clause is a sentence that exists in a sentence. The word 'independent' in an independent clause means that semantically the clause does not depend on another clause and / or that such a clause can stand by itself. Then, an independent clause is a clause which does not depend on another clause, and / or which can stand by itself in the sense that the clause has a complete meaning without another clause. Independent clauses are composed of simple sentences. A simple sentence is a sentence which has one subject (S), one predicate (P) and / or one object (O) if there is any, and which has a complete meaning. To be formed as independent clauses in a compound sentence, simple sentences are combined with (a) coordinate conjunction(s), (a) conjunctive adverb(s), (a) transition expression(s), or (a) semi colon(s).
Study the examples below.
- The manager is out. (simple sentence)
- His secretary is absent. (simple sentence)
The two-sentences can be combined as follows.
- The manager is out, AND his secretary is absent. (compound sentence)
Below is the analysis of such a compound sentence.
'The manager (S) is out (P)' is a simple sentence, and 'His secretary (S) is absent (P)' is too. Each of the two-sentences has one S and one P. After both of the sentences have been combined with the coordinate conjunction AND, they are independent clauses because each of them does not depend on each other and can stand by itself in the sense that it has a complete meaning without the other clause. Thus, [The manager is out (independent clause), AND (coordinate conjunction) his secretary is absent (independent clause)] is a compound sentence, a sentence which has two or more independent clauses, and which has a complete meaning.
Compare the above-mentioned compound sentence with the following.
- He tested AND debugged the program yesterday.
'He (S) tested and debugged (P) the program (O) yesterday (adjunct).' is named simple sentence because it has one S, one P with compound verb, and one O. Furthermore, it is also called compound sentence, compacted by eliminating either of the same S, O and Adjunct in its independent clauses.
Study the following sentences and how they are combined
He (S) tested (P) the program (O) yesterday (adjunct). (simple sentence)
He (S) debugged (P) it (O) yesterday (adjunct). (simple sentence)
He tested the program (independent clause) AND (coordinate conjunction) he debugged it yesterday (independent clause). (compound sentence)
Compound sentences with coordinate conjunctions
- The computer age has arrived, and it is changing our lives.
- Computers have made communicating and doing business faster and more convenient, and they have greatly increased our access to information.
- He offered me a job last week, but I have not made up my mind yet.
- Personal computers have made our lives easier, but they have done so at a cost.
- The company’s sales increased last year, yet its net profit declined.
- He earns a good salary, yet he never seems to have any money.
- International companies are growing, so they will soon need more bilingual workers.
- Canada has two official languages, so government documents are printed in both English and French.
- Websites can give you detailed street maps for major cities, or they can give you a map of interstate highways.
- Young people should know a second language, or they will be at a disadvantage in the international job market.
Compound sentences with conjunctive adverbs
- Voice input devices are available today; however, they are not very common.
- I cannot attend the meeting; nevertheless, you should resolve the major issues.
- We must meet the deadline; hence, a decision is needed now.
- Voice recognition systems are becoming more sophisticated; thus, keyboards may be unnecessary in the future.
- Singapore lies very near to the equator; consequently, the weather is very hot all the year round.
- There is no demand for this make of car; accordingly, I am not able to give you any orders.
- John is kind; moreover, he is generous.
- Television is entertaining; furthermore, it is sometimes instructive.
- He will study IT for six years; then, he will be a systems analyst.
- I do not like that notebook; besides, it is too expensive.
- You should get the license right away; otherwise, you will have to pay a fine.
Compound sentences with transition expressions
- It is too late to finish the work; in fact, it is time to go home.
- He is not a stupid person; on the contrary, he is quite intelligent.
- They may go to the concert; on the other hand, they may decide to attend the lecture.
- John worked hard all year; as a result, he was promoted.
- He is going to England next year; in the mean time, he is studying English.
Compound sentences with semicolons
- The microcomputer is small and portable; it is easy to take it from place to place.
- Motherhood causes some women to quit their jobs; others continue working despite / in spite of having children to care for.
Compound sentences with abridgments in independent clauses of short agreements
John studies IT, and so do I / and I do too.
John does not study IT, and neither do I / and I do not either.
John studies IT, but I do not.
John does not study IT, but I do.
That PC is powerful, and so is this one / and this one is too.
That PC is not powerful, and neither is this one / and this one is not either.
That PC is powerful, but this one is not.
That PC is not powerful, but this one is.