Compound Sentence

Sam An Teng

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses, which are joined by a semi-colon, a coordinative conjunction (preceded by a comma), or a conjunctive adverb (preceded by a semi-colon and followed by a comma). 

For examples,

• She was sick, so she didn’t come to work.
• Students work hard; they succeed.
• The job was difficult; however, we could finish successfully.

Note:

- There are two independent clauses in compound sentences.
- There is no dependent clause in compound sentences.


There are 3 patterns in which simple sentences are joined.
 

1. IC , cc-IC [ Independent clause + comma + coordinative conjunction + Independent clause. ]

For examples,  

• Sopheak didn’t come to class, for he was sick. 
•  I tried to speak Japanese, and my friend tried to speak English.  
• He doesn’t work hard, nor he is clever. 
• I know him, but he doesn’t recognize me.
• You can write on paper, or you can use a computer.
• The dog barked, yet it doesn’t bite. 
• Sopheak was sick, so he didn’t come to class.

2. IC ; IC [ Independent clause + semi-colon + independent clause. ] 

For examples,  

• Sopheak didn’t come to class; he was sick.  
• I tried to speak Japanese; my friend tried to speak English.  
• He doesn’t work hard; he is clever.  
• I know him; he doesn’t recognize me.  
• You can write on paper; you can use a computer.  
• The dog barked; it doesn’t bite.  
• Sopheak was sick; he didn’t come to class.

3. IC ; ca, IC [ Independent clause + semi-colon + conjunctive adverb + comma + Independent clause.]  

For examples,  

• I know him; however, he doesn’t recognize me.  
• Sopheak was sick; therefore, he didn’t come to class.