Compound Sentences

Independent Clauses

A simple sentence can also be called an independent clause. An independent clause is a subject and verb that is a complete idea. It does not need more information to complete the thought.

You can connect separate independent clauses (simple sentences) using a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect the two sentences together. You use them when the ideas in the sentences are connected.

See that both sentences are complete. You can separate them with a period. However, the meaning of the sentences is connected, so you can use a coordinating conjunction to make the connection clear. When a sentence has more than one independent clause, it is called a compound sentence.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions in English are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. We often use the word FANBOYS to remember these words. When you use a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), you will use a comma before the second independent clause.

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