Here's a breakdown:
* Independent Clause: A complete sentence with a subject and a verb.
* Compound Sentence: Two or more independent clauses joined together.
Example:
* "The dog barked loudly, and the cat hissed."
* "The dog barked loudly" is an independent clause.
* "The cat hissed" is an independent clause.
* "and" is the conjunction joining the two clauses.
Here are some important points to remember:
* Use a comma before "and" if the two clauses can stand alone as separate sentences.
* Don't use a comma before "and" if the two clauses are short and simple. For example: "She went to the store and bought groceries."
Here are some more examples:
With a comma:
* The sky was clear, and the stars were shining brightly.
* I finished my homework, and I went to bed.
* He was tired, and he went to sleep.
Without a comma:
* She ate breakfast and went to work.
* The cat sat down and closed its eyes.
* He ran outside and played with his dog.
Remember: If you're ever unsure, read your sentence out loud. If there is a natural pause before the "and," a comma is usually needed.