20 Most Common Compound Sentences in English

Last updated on September 20th, 2023 at 11:02 am

If you’re new to learning English, you might feel overwhelmed by all the different types of sentences you need to know. But don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll go over the 20 most common compound sentences in English. By the end of this article, you’ll understand what compound sentences are and how to use them.

What is a Compound Sentence?

Now, let’s define what a compound sentence is. A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses that are joined together with a coordinating conjunction. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought. A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses together.

Now, let’s take a look at some examples of compound sentences:

• I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining outside.
• John is studying for his exams and can’t go out tonight.
• She likes to read books, and he likes to watch movies.
• I have a headache, yet I still need to finish this report.
• Tom is a great basketball player, but he needs to work on his free throws.

As you can see, each of these sentences is made up of two independent clauses that are joined together with a coordinating conjunction. Let’s take a closer look at each coordinating conjunction and how it’s used in a compound sentence.

But – This conjunction is used to show a contrast between two ideas. In the example sentence above, “I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining outside,” the two ideas being contrasted are the desire to go to the beach and the fact that it’s raining outside.

So – This conjunction is used to show a cause-and-effect relationship between two ideas. In the example sentence above, “John is studying for his exams, so he can’t go out tonight,” the cause is John’s need to study for his exams, and the effect is that he can’t go out tonight.

And – This conjunction shows a connection between two ideas. In the example sentence above, “She likes to read books, and he likes to watch movies,” the two ideas are connected by the fact that both of them enjoy different forms of entertainment.

Yet – This conjunction is used to show a contrast between two ideas. In the example sentence above, “I have a headache, yet I still need to finish this report,” the two ideas being contrasted are the fact that the speaker has a headache and the fact that they still need to finish their report.

20 Most Common Compound Sentences

Now that you have a better understanding of coordinating conjunctions, let’s take a look at some more examples of compound sentences:

1. I need to study, or I will fail the test.
2. He is a great cook, and he makes dinner every night.
3. I want to go to the beach, but it’s too cold.
4. I like pizza, but I wouldn’t say I like pepperoni.
5. I went to the store, but they were closed.
6. She completed the project on time, and she received a promotion.
7. He was running late, so he took a taxi to the airport.
8. We went to the store, but they were out of milk.
9. He likes to swim, yet he’s afraid of the ocean.
10. She wants to travel the world, and he wants to settle down and start a family.
11. I’m going to take a nap, or I’m going to watch TV.
12. He didn’t study for the test, but he asked for help.
13. She’s a great singer, yet she’s never performed in public.
14. He wants to buy a new car, but he needs to save more money.
15. I need to finish this project, so I will work late tonight.
16. She’s allergic to peanuts, yet she ate a Snickers bar.
17. He’s tired from working all day, so he’s going to bed early.
18. We’re going to the beach, but we need to pack some sunscreen.
19. He’s a great cook, and he loves to entertain guests.
20. She’s a talented artist, yet she’s never sold any of her artwork.

As you can see, compound sentences are used frequently in English. They allow you to express complex ideas and show the relationship between different ideas. By understanding how to use coordinating conjunctions, you’ll be able to create your own compound sentences. So, go ahead and practice using compound sentences in your writing and speaking.

Azizul Hakim

Azizul Hakim is the founder & CEO of englishfinders.com. He is a passionate writer, English instructor, and content creator. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation in English language and literature.