Dignity – Faith – Responsibility Basic English (Writing Skills)

Preparatory Semester

THE
COMPOUND
SENTENCE
By King Kotcho Bongkwaha Jacob and Mbeti Banga Dedo

Advisor: Mr. Muluh Linus

 CONTENT

- Definition of a compound sentence with examples.

- Coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences and their uses with examples.
- Transitions in compound sentences and their uses with examples .
- Punctuations in compound sentences and their uses with examples.

REFERENCES

- Definition of compound sentences with examples. (www.stlcc.edu)

- Definition of a compound sentence with examples. www.stlcc.edu)
- Coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences and their uses with examples.
www.stlcc.edu)
- Transitions in compound sentences and their uses with examples . www.stlcc.edu)
- Punctuations in compound sentences and their uses with examples. www.stlcc.edu)
 The Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is a sentence made up of two or more independent clauses linked with
coordinating conjunctions or punctuation marks.
- An independent clause is a sentence made up of a subject and a verb and has a complete
meaning.
- A coordinating conjunction is a word that is used to link two words, groups of words or
clauses with the same status.
Examples:
1) I am sick, so I will stay at home. (Compound sentence made up of two
independent clauses linked with a coordinating conjunction)
2) I am hungry, I will go to a restaurant. (Compound sentence made up of two
independent clauses linked with a punctuation mark)
3) I am sick, and she has travelled, so none of us will be at the ceremony.
(Compound sentence made up of three independent clauses linked only with
coordinating conjunctions)
4) I drank milk, he drank tea, and we went to school. (Compound sentence made
up of three independent clauses linked with both a punctuation mark and a
coordinating conjunction)

Coordinating conjunctions and their uses in compound sentences

A coordinating conjunction can be used to separate two independent clauses making
up a compound sentence before which should be placed a comma. There are seven coordinating
conjunctions;
 For
 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So
 For

The coordinating conjunction ‘for’ in compound sentences is used to link two independent
clauses with one being a reason for the other.
Examples:
 The teacher left the class early today, for he had to visit his son in the hospital.
 I will not spend much time with you, for I must go back home early.
 I have slept much during the day, for I did not sleep enough at night.

 And

The coordinating conjunction ‘and’ in compound sentences is used to sum up two ideas
(independent clauses) to a single sentence.
Examples:
 I take a bus tomorrow, and I go back home.
 He will give her money, and she will travel.
 He prepared the cake, and we decorated it.

 Nor

The coordinating conjunction ‘nor’ in compound sentences is used to link situations

(choices not to do something).
Example:
 I will neither go home, nor I will go to work.
 She neither went to school, nor she worked at home.
 He neither collected information, nor he did the presentation.
 But
The coordinating conjunction ‘but’ is used to link two independent clauses both showing
contrast to each other

Examples:
 I did nothing, but I feel so tired.
 She did not complete her task, but she was paid.
 He went early to school, but he did not attend the assembly.

 Or
The coordinating conjunction ‘or’ in compound sentences is used to link two propositions
(independent clauses).
Examples:
 I will either take a train, or I will take a bus.
 You either eat meat, or you eat fish.
 Either you speak English, or you get out.

 Yet
The coordinating conjunction ‘yet’ in compound sentences is used to link two independent
clauses with one being ironic to the other.
Examples:
 He did not attend the class, yet he was marked present.
 We finished all the work, yet we are not tired.
 He told all the truth, yet he has been punished.
 So
The coordinating conjunction ‘so’ is used in compound sentences to link two independent
clauses with one being a consequence of the other.
Example:
 I am not hungry, so I will not eat.
 She is sick, so she stays at home.
 I had an accident, so I was given holydays.

Transitions and their uses in compound sentences

The two independent clauses making up a compound sentence can also be separated by a
transition before which should be placed a semi-colon and after, a comma. (from www.stlcc.edu
; stlcc = St. Louis Community College). There are five transitions that can be used two link two
independent clauses making up a compound sentence;
 Consequently
 Further
 However
 Therefore
 Then

 Consequently
The transition ‘consequently’ is used in compound sentences to indicate that the
independent clause following it is a consequence of the independent clause preceding it.
Examples:
 He broke his leg in the accident; Consequently, he could not go for sports.
 She ate spoiled food; Consequently, she had stomach ache.
 Hate left the house late; Consequently, he missed the bus departure.

 Further

The transition ‘further’ in compound sentences is used to indicate that the independent
clause following it is an addition to the independent clause preceding it.
 Examples:
- The murderer killed the man; Further he killed his wife.
- The child down from the bed; Further, he rolled under.
- The teacher gave exercises; Further, he gave us home work.

 However
The transition ‘however’ in compound sentences is used to indicate that the independent
clause following it is an alternative to the independent clause preceding it.

Examples:
- He could not go to James’ birthday party; However, he attended my wedding
ceremony.
- She could not sleep with the music; However, she succeeded to sleep locked in
her room.

 Therefore

The transition ‘therefore’ in compound sentences is used to indicate that the independent
clause following it is a conclusion to the independent clause preceding it.

Examples:
- He has been proven guilty; Therefore, he will be dismissed from the school.
- He has bought a new car; Therefore, he will be coming earlier to work.

 Then

The transition ‘then’ in compound sentences is used to indicate that the independent clause
following it is a result of the independent clause following it.

Examples:
- His two parents are Africans; Then, he is an African.
- He has the highest average of the class; Then, he is the first of the class.
Punctuations in compound sentences
The independent clauses that make up a compound sentence can also be separated by
punctuations (, , ; and : )

Examples:
 He was not strong enough to support the shock, he died.
 I gave him enough food, he was hungry.
 I like dancing: she likes singing.