Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined together by (a). coordinating conjunctions, (b). correlative conjunctions or (c). transitional expressions (transitional words or phrases). Following is a brief description of coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions and transitional expressions: (A). Coordinating conjunctions [Also known as ‘Coordinators] – They are used to merely connect independent clauses of equal importance. There are SEVEN coordinating conjunctions in English - 1. and -- used to express a relationship of ‘addition’ 2. but -- used to express a relationship of ‘contrast’ 3. for -- used to express a relationship of ‘effect-cause’ 4. nor -- used to express a relationship of ‘negative addition’ 5. or -- used to express a relationship of ‘alternative’ 6. so -- used to express a relationship of ‘cause-effect’ 7. yet -- used to express a relationship of ‘contrast’ To remember these words, you should remember an acronym ‘FANBOYS’. The acronym ‘FANBOYS’ is made up of the first letters of the names of the seven coordinators For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. Examples: He participated in the national games, and she fought the general election. We played football, but they watched a movie. He studied grammar because he wanted to improve his English. He didn’t read a book, nor did he write a letter. He will go for a stroll in the park, or he will stay at home. He was thirsty, so he drank water. I had invited him, yet he didn’t attend the function. (B). Correlative conjunctions [Also known as “Paired Coordinators”] – They are used in “pairs” and join words, phrases, and independent clauses which are grammatically equal. They are separated in a sentence but work together to perform a single function.

Following are the most common correlative conjunctions that are used to join independent clauses in compound sentences: 1. although….yet 2. not only….but also 3. either….or 4. neither….nor Examples: Although he is quite old, yet he is still very active. Christina is not only a bright student, but she is also a good player. They are either incompetent, or they simply don't want to do it. I am neither his supporter nor do I know him. (C). Transitional Expressions Transitional Expressions are used to provide a connection between sentences or paragraphs. The word transition literally means passing from one subject to another. Thus, transitional expressions show the logical relationships between ideas. They help to make a piece of writing flow better. NOTE: Joining two independent clauses with coordinating or correlating conjunction implies that they are part of the same idea. While joining two independent clauses with a transitional expression (transitional words or phrases) implies that they are NOT part of the same idea. Instead, there is a specific and logical relationship between two independent clauses. There are two types of transitional expressions: (1). Transitional words, (2). Transitional phrases (C1). Transitional Words [There are numerous transitional words that are used to link or join two or more clauses. Functioning as transitional words, Conjunctive Adverbs are commonly used to join independent clauses in compound sentences. Adverbs that are used as conjunctions are called “conjunctive adverbs”.] List of Useful ‘Transitional Words’ Based on Logical Relationship They Express: 

(a). Logical relationship: ‘Addition’ Transition Words:

1. besides 

2. further 

3. furthermore 

4. moreover 

(b). Logical relationship: ‘Cause and Effect’ Transition Words: 

1. accordingly 

2. consequently 

3. therefore 

4. thus

(c). Logical relationship: ‘Comparison’ Transition Words: 

1. however 

2. likewise 

3. nevertheless 

4. otherwise 

5. similarly 

6. still 

(d). Logical relationship: ‘Concession’ Transition Words: 

1. certainly 

2. nonetheless 

(e). Logical relationship: ‘Consequence (Result)’ Transition Words: 

1. hence 

2. incidentally 

(f). Logical relationship: ‘Contrast (Opposition)’ Transition Words: 

1. conversely 

2. instead 

(g). Logical relationship: ‘Emphasis’ Transition Word:

1. Indeed 

(h). Logical relationship: ‘Explanation’ Transition Words: 

1. namely 2. specifically 

(i). Logical relationship: ‘Summary’ Transition Word: 1. finally

(j). Logical relationship: ‘Time’ and ‘Sequence’ 

Transition Words: 

1. afterwards 

2. meanwhile 

3. next 

4. now 

5. previously 

6. subsequently 

7. then (C2). Transitional Phrases [Transitional phrases are formed of a ‘group of words and are used to join independent clauses in compound sentences] List of Useful ‘Transitional Phrases’ Based on Logical Relationship 

They Express: 

(a). Logical relationship: ‘Addition’ Transition Phrase: 

1. in addition 

(b). Logical relationship: ‘Cause and Effect’ 

Transition Phrase: 

1. as a consequence (or result) 

(c). Logical relationship: ‘Comparison’ 

Transition Phrase: 1. in comparison

(d). Logical relationship: ‘Concession’ 

Transition Phrase: 

1. on the other hand 

(e). Logical relationship: ‘Contrast’ 

Transition Phrases: 

1. after all 

2. even so 

3. in contrast 

4. on the contrary 

(f). Logical relationship: ‘Emphasis’ 

Transition Phrase: 

1. in fact (g). Logical relationship: ‘Example’ 

Transition Phrases: 1. for example 2. for instance 3. in other words 4. that is (h). Logical relationship: ‘Similarity’ Transition Phrase: 1. in the same way (i). Logical relationship: ‘Summary’ Transition Phrase: 1. in conclusion PUNCTUATION RULES (A). Punctuation Rules: coordinating conjunction You should use a comma (,) before coordinating conjunction to connect independent clauses. Pattern: independent clause + comma + coordinator + independent clause Example: He won the competition, but he was not satisfied with his performance.

Note: You may omit the comma before the conjunction in FORMAL writing. Example: He won the competition but he was not satisfied with his performance. Note: You may omit the comma before the conjunction if independent clauses are short. Example: She studied but he played. Note: You can also skip using coordinating conjunction and instead use a semicolon (;) to join two independent clauses. Example: He won the competition; he was not satisfied with his performance. Example: She studied; he played. However, a semi-colon should be used only where ideas are very closely related-- For Example: I can defeat him; he cannot defeat me. Note - Never join two independent clauses with a comma alone. (B). Punctuation Rules: correlative conjunction You should use a comma (,) before the second part to connect two independent clauses. Pattern: correlative word + independent clause + comma + correlative word + independent clause Example: Although he won the competition, yet he was not satisfied with his performance. (C). Punctuation Rules: transitional words or phrases You should use a semicolon (;) before transitional words or phrases to connect independent clauses. In addition, transitional words or phrases should be followed by a comma (,). Pattern: independent clause + semicolon + transitional word or phrase + comma + independent clause Example: He won the competition; however, he was not satisfied with his performance.

Other Examples: I will go to the office after two hours; meanwhile, I will read a novel. He didn’t tell me his home address; on the contrary, he asked me for my home address. Compound sentences may have two or more independent clauses – 1. Compound sentences having two independent clauses or simple sentences Examples: David joined the party, and Henry studied English. David joined the party, but Henry studied English. David joined the party, so Henry studied English. David joined the party, yet Henry studied English. There are two independent clauses in the above sentences – David joined the party. [subject – David, predicate – joined party] Henry studied English. [subject – Henry, predicate – studied English] Coordinators (‘and, but, so, yet’) have been used to join these clauses. Thus, there are two independent clauses in a single sentence. [Compound sentence] Note – When there are two independent clauses in a compound sentence, it is also called a ‘Double Sentence’. Another Example: He was intelligent, yet he couldn’t get the first rank. There are two independent clauses in this sentence. He was intelligent. [subject – He, predicate – was intelligent] He couldn’t get the first rank. [subject – He, predicate – couldn’t get the first rank.] Coordinator (‘yet’) has been used to join these clauses. Thus, there are two independent clauses in a single sentence. [Compound sentence] 2. Compound sentences having more than two independent clauses or simple sentences Example: Mark studied for five hours, and George played for four hours, yet Jimmy sang for two hours, and Bill ran for one hour. There are four independent clauses in this sentence. Mark studied for five hours. George played for four hours. Jimmy sang for two hours. Bill ran for one hour. Coordinator (‘and’, yet) has been used to join these clauses. Thus, there are four independent clauses in a single sentence. [Compound sentence] Note – When there are more than two independent clauses in a compound sentence, it is also called a ‘Multiple Sentence’. Another Example: I read the novel, and I watched the movie, but I didn’t write anything. There are three independent clauses in this sentence. I read the novel. I watched the movie. I didn’t write anything. Coordinators (‘and, but’) have been used to join these clauses. Thus, there are three Independent clauses in a single sentence. [Compound sentence] Important Note Compound verbs should not be confused with compound sentences. Sentences may contain coordinating conjunctions and not be compound. I have given the following examples in the ‘Simple Sentence’ section: David and harry won the competition. He wrote and sang a song. Clark and Tom jogged and swam. Here, the coordinating conjunction ‘and’ has been used merely to join two words (two subjects or two verbs).

While in a compound sentence, coordinating conjunction ‘and’ is used to join two independent clauses.