Short, simple sentences are great. But if they’re all you use, your writing can start to feel stilted. Wait, let me start that again. Short, simple sentences are great, but if they’re all you use, your writing can start to feel stilted. That’s better. Compound sentences are a great way to diversify your writing and complicate your statements. Let’s look at what makes a compound sentence and how it’s used.
HOW TO WRITE A COMPOUND SENTENCE
What is a Compound Sentence Structure?
A compound sentence is a sentence containing two or more independent clauses. These clauses are connected through a coordinating conjunction or semicolon. An independent clause refers to a complete thought that contains a subject and verb.
Crucial to understanding what makes a compound sentence is understanding conjunctions. The most common conjunctions are and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet. Almost all types of compound sentences employ conjunctions, except for those with semicolons.
Now, how do you write a compound sentence?
What is a Compound Sentence Structure?
Compound Sentence Examples
Like with most things, it’s easiest to answer “What is a compound sentence structure?” with examples. Here’s a few:
- Lyla and her girlfriend broke up, so we were all forced to pick sides.
- Isaiah was furious, but Marshall refused to apologize.
- You’ve been missing at meetings recently; is everything okay?
- Half the gang went to the movies and the other half went to get pizza.
- I was reluctant to go to the party, but Charles was going to be there and Jay Z was rumored to make a guest appearance.
A great way to figure out if a sentence is compound is seeing if you can split it into two sentences. We can do that with all of the previous examples:
- Lyla and her girlfriend broke up. We were all forced to pick sides.
- Isaiah was furious. Marshall refused to apologize.
- You’ve been missing at meetings recently. Is everything okay?
- Half the gang went to the movies. The other half went to get pizza.
- I was reluctant to go to the party. Charles was going to be there. Jay Z was rumored to make a guest appearance.
We’re able to do this because independent clauses can work as individual, simple sentences. That’s what makes a compound sentence.
What Do Compound Sentences Contain?
Famous Compound Sentences
Compound sentences are used by everyone all the time. Art is a reflection of society, so is it any surprise artists know how to write a compound sentence? Here are a few choice examples:
“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” – George Orwell, 1984
“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” – Network
“I’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man.” – Jay-Z, “Diamonds from Sierra Leone”
Now that you’ve got some inspiration, it’s time for you to write your own compound sentences. Get writing!
Up Next
What are Sentence Structures?
Think you got the hang of compound sentences? Think you can answer “What is a compound sentence structure”? I’ve got bad news for you, pal: there are three more you need to master before you can call yourself Tolstoy. Check them all out in our general overview of sentence structures.
