Here's how it works:
* Compound Sentence: A sentence that combines two or more independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
* Connecting with "and": The word "and" is used to connect these independent clauses, creating a compound sentence.
Example:
* The cat sat on the mat, and the dog barked loudly.
In this example:
* "The cat sat on the mat" is an independent clause.
* "The dog barked loudly" is an independent clause.
* "and" connects the two clauses, making it a compound sentence.
Important Note: While it's grammatically correct to use "and" after a comma in a compound sentence, it's often preferred to use a semicolon (;) instead. This adds a slightly stronger pause between the clauses.
Example:
* The cat sat on the mat; the dog barked loudly.
Both are grammatically correct, but the semicolon emphasizes the separation between the two ideas.