Compound Sentences

So far we have looked at: SIMPLE SENTENCES A simple sentence conveys a single, simple idea. It contains an independent clause that has a subject and a verb. It makes sense on its own. We enjoyed the concert. AND COMPLEX SENTENCES A complex sentence provides more information about the main idea. It has an independent (main) clause and one or more dependent (minor clauses). A dependent clause will not make sense on its own; it needs the independent clause that it is linked to, to make sense. Although it was very loud, we enjoyed the concert We enjoyed the concert, despite the rain.

Compound Sentences The third type of sentence is a Compound Sentence. Compound sentences contain two or more main pieces of information. Each piece of information makes sense on its own; they are independent clauses. The independent clauses are joined by a connective or conjunction. while so whereas then therefore but and because

Now lets join them together with a conjunction. Compound Sentences Let’s try some: The boys walked down the road. Their parents waved goodbye. These are both simple sentences, they each have a simple idea. Now lets join them together with a conjunction. The boys walked down the road while their parents waved goodbye. The children were dripping wet. It was raining. The children were dripping wet because it was raining.

Compound Sentences. The advantage of compound sentences is that you can build more detail into your writing. However, be warned one problem is that some writers can get carried away and write long rambling sentences: My mate came round and said, "Do you want to go out?" and I did so we went to the park and sat around for a bit and then these other girls came over who we knew from school so we started talking to them and then we felt hungry so we... See the problem? Care needs to be taken with connectives. Two in a sentence is usually enough, and they don't need to be used in every sentence.