A compound sentence contains two or more simple sentences or independent clauses that are joined by a conjunction. The conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so are commonly used to connect simple sentences. When the compound sentence is too long, we use either a comma or a semicolon before the conjunction.

Study these sentences:

• We should not store up treasures on earth.

• Moths and woodworms would destroy them.

Both sentences are complete sentences or independent clauses. You can put them together by connecting them with the conjunction for.

We should not store up treasures on earth for moths and woodworms would destroy them.

Observe the changes:

• The period after the first sentence was removed.

• The first letter of the second sentence was changed into a small letter.

• Then the conjunction for was placed between the two sentences.

• A new sentence was formed. It is called a compound sentence.

Here are different ways of using these conjunctions:

1. We use and to connect two related ideas.

Example: Some people love money very much and they would do anything just to have it.

2. We use but to connect two contrasting or opposite ideas.

Example: Mario loves to be rich but he uses his money for the poor.

3. Like but, we also use yet to connect two contrasting or opposite ideas.

Example: The birds of the sky do not sow or reap yet our heavenly Father feeds them.

4. We use or to connect two choices or alternatives.

Example: Mario spends his weekends with his family or he serves a poor community.

5. We use nor to connect two negative choices or alternative.

Example: The flowers in the field do not work nor do they spin.

6. We use for to introduce the reason for the first sentence or clause.

Example: Mario does not worry a bit for he knows that he has a loving God.

7. We use so to show that the second sentence is the result of the first one.

Example: Mario knows that he has a loving God, so he does not worry a bit.

When the compound sentence is too long, we use a comma (,) or a semicolon (;) before the conjunction.

Examples:

God is a kind and loving Father, so He takes care of all our needs. (with a comma)

God is a kind and loving Father; so He takes care of all our needs even before we ask for them. (with a semicolon)