1. Understand the Basics:
* Simple Sentence: A simple sentence has one independent clause (a complete thought with a subject and verb).
* Compound Sentence: A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction.
2. Coordinating Conjunctions:
Use one of the following coordinating conjunctions to connect your independent clauses:
* For (indicates reason or cause)
* And (indicates addition or continuation)
* Nor (indicates negative addition)
* But (indicates contrast or opposition)
* Or (indicates alternative)
* Yet (indicates contrast or unexpected result)
* So (indicates consequence or result)
3. Punctuation:
Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction that joins the independent clauses.
Examples:
* Simple Sentences: The sun shone brightly. The birds sang merrily.
* Compound Sentence: The sun shone brightly, and the birds sang merrily.
* Simple Sentences: The dog barked loudly. The cat hissed at him.
* Compound Sentence: The dog barked loudly, but the cat hissed at him.
* Simple Sentences: We can go to the park. We can stay home and watch a movie.
* Compound Sentence: We can go to the park, or we can stay home and watch a movie.
Tips:
* Make sure each independent clause expresses a complete thought.
* Choose the conjunction that best reflects the relationship between the two clauses.
* Don't forget the comma before the conjunction.
* You can also use a semicolon (;) to join independent clauses without a conjunction if they are closely related in meaning.
Let me know if you'd like to try combining some sentences together!