1. Understand What a Compound Sentence Is:
* A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses (complete sentences that can stand alone).
* These clauses are joined together to create a more complex and interesting sentence.
2. Identify Independent Clauses:
* Example:
* "The dog barked loudly." (independent clause)
* "The cat hissed back." (independent clause)
3. Use a Semicolon to Join the Clauses:
* Example: "The dog barked loudly; the cat hissed back."
Key Points:
* Use a semicolon only to join independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.
* Use a comma after the semicolon if the second clause has a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
* Example: "The dog barked loudly; however, the cat hissed back."
Examples of Compound Sentences with Semicolons:
* The rain poured; the wind howled.
* She studied hard; she aced the test.
* I went to the store; I bought groceries, milk, and bread.
* The sun was shining; the sky was blue.
Important Note: Don't overuse semicolons. Too many can make your writing feel choppy and difficult to read.