What type of sentence that has two or more independent clauses and one or more independent clauses?

A clause is the part of a sentence that contains a subject and verb. There are two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses.

1) Independent Clause:

A group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. Therefore, independent clauses can stand alone in the sentence. 

Example:

- I went to Oklahoma City. 

2) Dependent Clause:

A group of words that contains subject and verb; however, it does not express a complete thought. Therefore, dependent clauses cannot stand alone without other context. 

Example:

- When I went to Oklahoma City. 

The number of independent clauses and dependent clauses can also determine the sentence type as a simple, compound, complex, or a compound-complex sentence.

A. Simple Sentence:

A sentence that consists of one independent clause. A simple sentence can have one or multiple subjects; it can also have one or multiple verbs, but having multiple subjects or verbs does not mean having multiple clauses. 

Examples:

- I searched for the book. (One subject and one verb)  

- I went to the bookstore and bought the book. (One subject and two verbs)  

- My sister and I searched and bought the book. (Two subjects and two verbs)  

B. Compound Sentence:

A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses. Independent clauses can be joined into a compound sentence using a coordinating conjunction such as for, and, or but. They also can be joined by a (;) semicolon. 

Examples:

- She cooks the meal today, and you will cook the meal tomorrow. (Two independent   clauses joined by “and” and a comma).  

- The boys saw the movie, the girls went shopping, but the parents stayed home. (Three independent clauses joined by “but” and a comma). 

- I listen to the song on the radio; my mother does not like the song. (Two independent   clauses joined by a semicolon).  

C. Complex Sentence:

A sentence that consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. These clauses can be joined into a complex sentence using a subordinating conjunction, such as which, because, before, after, if, since, until, and when, etc...

Examples: 

* The underlined words are the independent clause. 

- Because it is a rainy day, I bring my umbrella.  (One independent clause and one dependent clause). 

- After she sent the mail, she went to the shop, which is near her house. (One independent clause and two dependent clauses). 

D. Compound-Complex Sentence:

A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. These clauses can be joined into a compound-complex sentence using a subordinating conjunction, such as which, because, before, after, if, since, until, and when, etc... Moreover, they can be joined by a coordinating conjunction such as for, and, or but.

Example:

* The underlined words are the independent clause. 

- Because it is a nice weekend, he cleaned the backyard, and he prepared the barbecue. (Two independent clauses joined by “and” and a comma, and one dependent clause).  

A mix of independent and dependent clauses in your sentences can make your writing seem more advanced and colorful. Knowing how to properly use these clauses can bloom your writing to its full potential!

We saw in sentence structure that a compound sentence is two (or more) independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon. So a compound sentence is like two or more simple sentences added together. A compound sentence does not contain any dependent clauses.

• I like coffee. Mary likes tea. → I like coffee, and Mary likes tea.
• Mary went to work. John went to the party. I went home. → Mary went to work, but John went to the party, and I went home.
• Our car broke down. We came last. → Our car broke down; we came last.

Joining Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions

Usually, we join independent clauses with one of the seven coordinating conjunctions.

The term coordinating conjunction sounds complicated, but in fact there are only seven of them and they are all short, one-syllable words: For—And—Nor—But—Or—Yet—So — remember them with the mnemonic FANBOYS.

The most common of these coordinating conjunctions are and, but and or, in that order. Note that a comma (,) must come before the coordinating conjunction except when the clauses are short (in which case the comma is optional).

and

The and conjunction is the most common conjunction. It has several uses.

• We use and to join two clauses that have equal value, for example: London is in England, and Rome is in Italy.
• We use and to join two clauses when the second clause happens after the first clause, for example: There was a big bang and the lights went out.
• We use and to join two clauses when the second clause is a result of the first clause, for example: He went to bed early, and the next day he felt better.

but

We use the but conjunction to introduce a clause that contrasts with the preceding clause, for example: Mary ran fast, but she couldn't catch John.

or

We use the or conjunction to join two alternative clauses, for example: Will Mary go, or will John go?

nor

We use the nor conjunction to join two alternative clauses when the first clause uses a negative such as neither or never. In this case both clauses are untrue or do not happen, for example: Mary never wrote the letter, nor did she call him. (Note the inversion of subject and auxiliary: did she.)

for

We use the for conjunction (meaning something like because) to join two clauses when the second clause is the reason for the first clause, for example: He felt cold, for it was snowing.

yet

The yet conjunction is similar to but. It means something like but at the same time; but nevertheless; but in spite of this. As with but, there is a contrast between the clauses, for example: I have known him for a long time, yet I have never understood him.

so

The so conjunction means something like therefore; and for this reason. We use so to join two clauses when the first clause is the reason for the second clause, for example: He was feeling sick, so he went to the doctor.

Note that when using a coordinating conjunction, you can (if you wish) remove any subject word and modal auxiliary from the second clause. (This is not possible with subordinating conjunctions.)

• He's already had three beers, and now he wants another one.
  
  • He's already had three beers and now wants another one.
    
• You can take a train, or you can take a bus.
  
  • You can take a train or take a bus.
    

Joining Compound Sentences with Semicolons

Occasionally, we join independent clauses with a semicolon (;).

• He studied very little; he failed his exams.
• The sky is cloudy; it's going to rain.
• Ram cut the grass; Ati trimmed the hedge; Tara watched.

Joining Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs

We can also join independent clause with words and phrases like moreover, however, at least (conjunctive adverbs). In this case, the conjunctive adverb must be preceded by a semicolon (;) and followed by a comma (,).

Look at these examples:

• John loves Mary; however, Mary doesn't love John.
• Salad is not expensive; moreover, it's very healthy.
• What he did was incredible; in fact, I can hardly believe it.

The table shows all seven coordinating conjunctions, and a few conjunctive adverbs as examples.

Do not try to join independent clauses with a comma alone—that's impossible!

• John drank coffee. Mary drank tea.
  
• John drank coffee, Mary drank tea.
• John drank coffee, and Mary drank tea.
  
• John drank coffee, but Mary drank tea.
  
• John drank coffee; Mary drank tea.
  

Compound Sentence Examples

Now look at some more examples showing compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions or semicolons in context.

Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions

• The cinema was sold out, so we watched a movie on TV.
• I'll have a week in Rome, or I'll go to Paris for three days.
• I really need a holiday, but I don't have the money, and I don't have the time.
• He's crazy! He doesn't like the car, yet he bought it anyway.
• It's gone 10pm, and he still hasn't arrived.
• Our car broke down, so we took a taxi.
• Our plane left Bangkok on schedule, and we arrived in London early.
• I cannot criticize him, for he is my brother.
• There are no eggs in the fridge, nor is there any bread in the cupboard.
• I would have passed the exam, but I didn't study enough.
• Should they take the test now, or should they wait until next month?
• I have never visited Moscow, nor have I been to St Petersburg.
• The pain was really bad, yet he refused to see a doctor.

Compound Sentences with Semicolons

• The Angel Falls waterfall in Venezuela plunges 907 metres; it looks spectacular.
• The entire town was flooded; people used boats.
• We always shop at the supermarket; it's got everything in one place.
• Call us next week; it should be in then.
• You can pay online; we accept all major credit cards.
• I only write non-fiction; I've never tried fiction.

Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs

• Frantic is my favourite film; however, I've only seen it once.
• He turned himself in to the police; otherwise, they would have arrested him.
• He's got a really good job; at least, that's what he says.
• He claimed he was working last night; however, nobody saw him at the office.

Compound Sentences in Famous Quotations

Here are some examples of compound sentences in quotes from famous people and sources.

Compound Sentences in Sayings

These compound sentence examples come from everyday sayings and proverbs in the English language.

Contributor: Josef Essberger