What Are Compound Sentences?

Compound sentences are made up of two simple sentences connected by

a coordinating conjunction. A great way to remember conjunctions is
FANBOYS:

 F - For: reasons
 A - And: addition/next action
 N - Nor: not one or the other
 B - But: contrasting and unexpected results
 O - Or: choices and conditions
 Y - Yet: contrasting and unexpected results
 S - So: actions taken

Here are some example compound sentences:

Tom arrived home. Then, he ate dinner. -> Tom arrived home and ate dinner.
We studied many hours for the test. We didn't pass the test. -> We studied
many hours for the test, but we didn't pass it.
Peter doesn't need to buy a new car. He also doesn't need to go on vacation. -
> Peter doesn't need to buy a new car, nor does he need to go on vacation.

Conjunctions are used for different purposes in sentences. A comma is always

placed before the conjunction. Here are the main uses of the FANBOYS:

Addition/Next Action
and

"And" is used as a coordinating conjunction to show that something is in

addition to something else. Another use of "and" is to show that one action
follows another.

 Addition: Tom enjoys playing tennis, and he likes cooking.

 Next Action: We drove home, and we went to bed.

Contrasting or Showing Unexpected Results

but/yet

Both "but" and "yet" are used to contrast pros and cons or show unexpected
results.

 Pros and cons of a situation: We wanted to visit our friends, but we

didn't have enough money to get a flight.
Unexpected results: Janet did very well on her job interview, yet she
didn't get the position.
Effect/Cause
so/for

Confusing these two coordinating conjunctions is easy. "So" expresses a result

based on a reason. "For" provides the reason. Consider the following
sentences:

I need some money. I went to the bank.

The result of needing money is that I went to the bank. In this case, use "so."

I needed some money, so I went to the bank.

The reason I went to the bank is because I needed money. In this case, use
"for."

I went to the bank, for I needed some money.

 Effect -> Mary needed some new clothing, so she went shopping.
 Cause -> They stayed home for the holiday, for they had to work.

Choice Between Two or Conditions

or
We thought we might go to see a film, or we might have dinner out.
Angela said she might buy him a watch, or she might give him a gift
certificate.

Conditions

or

You should study a lot for the test, or you won't pass. = If you don't study a lot
for the test, you won't pass.

Neither One nor the Other

nor

We won't be able to visit our friends, nor will they be able to visit us this
summer.
Sharon isn't going to the conference, nor is she going to present there.

NOTE: Notice how when using "nor" the sentence structure is inverted. In
other words, after "nor," place the helping verb before the subject.
We will now figure out the ways for combining these two independent clauses to make a
compound sentence. As we all know that both the independent clauses are talking about
Barbara; therefore they are closely related to each other.

Now, if we think carefully, we will figure out that the sentences can be joined together in the
following methods-

1) Barbara is driving, so she cannot receive your call.

2) Barbara is driving; she cannot receive your call.

3) Barbara is driving; therefore, she cannot receive your call.

From the above sentences we can infer that two independent clauses can be joined by – 1)
joining by a comma (,) and a coordinating conjunction 2) Joining by a semicolon (;) 3)
Using semicolon with a Transitional Expression.