Simple & Compound Sentence

 

Definition of Simple Sentence

A simple sentence in grammar has only one main or independent clause and no dependent or subordinate clauses. Comprising a subject and a predicate, this short and independent syntactic entity intends to convey a complete idea or meanings of an idea.

A simple sentence is also known as a clausal sentence. It may have a modifier besides a subject, verb, and object. Though it is simple, sometimes it can have compound verbs and compound subjects. It may or may not use commas but it stays simple in construction. For instance, “Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.” (Of Studies, by Francis Bacon)

Common Use of Simple Sentence

• The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword.
• Alice everyday goes to library to study.
• Perhaps the decline of this country has already started.
• The management of your company has executed its duties excellently.
• People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• They have lost thousands of jobs to Asia, South America, and Mexico.

Examples of Simple Sentences in Literature

Example #1: The Big Sleep  (by Raymond Chandler)

“I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them.”

Chandler has perfectly used a simple sentence with multiple subjects to describe his blue suit. There are no dependent clauses. A single independent sentence conveys a complete idea.

Definition

A compound sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses joined by a comma, semicolon or conjunction. An independent clause is a clause that has a subject and verb and forms a complete thought.

An example of a compound sentence is, 'This house is too expensive, and that house is too small.' This sentence is a compound sentence because it has two independent clauses, 'This house is too expensive' and 'that house is too small' separated by a comma and the conjunction 'and.'

 

Joining Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions

Usually, we join independent clauses with one of the seven coordinating conjunctions.

The term coordinating conjunction sounds complicated, but in fact there are only seven of them and they are all short, one-syllable words: For—And—Nor—But—Or—Yet—So — remember them with the mnemonic FANBOYS.

The most common of these coordinating conjunctions are and, but and or, in that order. Note that a comma (,) must come before the coordinating conjunction except when the clauses are short (in which case the comma is optional).

and

The and conjunction is the most common conjunction. It has several uses.

• We use and to join two clauses that have equal value, for example: London is in England, and Rome is in Italy.
• We use and to join two clauses when the second clause happens after the first clause, for example: There was a big bang and the lights went out.
• We use and to join two clauses when the second clause is a result of the first clause, for example: He went to bed early, and the next day he felt better.

but

We use the but conjunction to introduce a clause that contrasts with the preceding clause, for example: Mary ran fast, but she couldn't catch John.

or

We use the or conjunction to join two alternative clauses, for example: Will Mary go, or will John go?

nor

We use the nor conjunction to join two alternative clauses when the first clause uses a negative such as neither or never. In this case both clauses are untrue or do not happen, for example: Mary never wrote the letter, nor did she call him. (Note the inversion of subject and auxiliary: did she.)

for

We use the for conjunction (meaning something like because) to join two clauses when the second clause is the reason for the first clause, for example: He felt cold, for it was snowing.

yet

The yet conjunction is similar to but. It means something like but at the same time; but nevertheless; but in spite of this. As with but, there is a contrast between the clauses, for example: I have known him for a long time, yet I have never understood him.

so

The so conjunction means something like therefore; and for this reason. We use so to join two clauses when the first clause is the reason for the second clause, for example: He was feeling sick, so he went to the doctor.

Compound Sentence Examples

Now look at some more examples showing compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions or semicolons in context.

Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions

• The cinema was sold out, so we watched a movie on TV.
• I'll have a week in Rome, or I'll go to Paris for three days.
• I really need a holiday, but I don't have the money, and I don't have the time.
• He's crazy! He doesn't like the car, yet he bought it anyway.
• It's gone 10pm, and he still hasn't arrived.
• Our car broke down, so we took a taxi.
• Our plane left Bangkok on schedule, and we arrived in London early.
• I cannot criticize him, for he is my brother.
• There are no eggs in the fridge, nor is there any bread in the cupboard.
• I would have passed the exam, but I didn't study enough.
• Should they take the test now, or should they wait until next month?
• I have never visited Moscow, nor have I been to St Petersburg.
• The pain was really bad, yet he refused to see a doctor.

 

References:

https://literarydevices.net/simple-sentence/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-compound-sentence-examples-definition-quiz.html#:~:text=An%20example%20of%20a%20compound,comma%20and%20the%20conjunction%20'and.

https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/sentence/compound-sentence.htm