compound sentence

noun

1. a sentence containing two or more coordinate independent clauses, usually joined by one or more conjunctions, but no dependent clause, as The lightning flashed (independent clause) and (conjunction) the rain fell (independent clause).

compound sentence

noun

1. a sentence containing at least two coordinate clauses

compound sentence

1. A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses , often joined by conjunctions : “Dr. Watson explained his theory, and Sherlock Holmes listened quietly.” ( Compare complex sentence , compound-complex sentence , and simple sentence .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of compound sentence¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Rather, it’s a compound sentence that unfolds as a list, each new idea introduced by the same phrase: “the fact that.”

From Washington Post

Traditionally, the semicolon has three uses: it can replace a comma in a series that includes interior commas, such as this one; it can replace a comma and a conjunction in a compound sentence, creating a subtle relationship between clauses; and it can be used artfully to suggest hesitations and inflections, a dangerous practice best explored in a graduate seminar on Henry James.

From The New Yorker

With “but,” Carolyn removes the conjunction and replaces it with an exclamation point, splitting one compound sentence into two simpler ones.

From Time

The nail is buried in the first half of his compound sentence — “We don’t know what they’re doing .”

From Washington Times

It involves a compound sentence.

From Time