Compound Sentence Joining with Coordinating Conjunctions

Compound Sentence Joining with Coordinating Conjunctions have been given here that are important for spoken and written English. So, explore the joining of Compound Sentence Examples with different coordinate conjunctions.

In the world of grammar and sentence structure, compound sentences play a pivotal role. These sentences are composed of two or more independent clauses that are connected by coordinating conjunctions.

What is a Compound Sentence?

Basically, Compound Sentences are formed with coordinating conjunctions. So, first, we will see what a compound sentence is.

compound sentence is one that contains two or more Independent Clauses or Co-ordinate Clauses joined together by Coordinating Conjunctions.

Compound Sentence Examples:

1. The boy is intelligent but he failed in the examination.

2. The foreigner is either a French or a German.

3. He spent all his money; therefore he had no means to buy his day’s bread.

4. Shakespeare is both a playwright and an actor.

5. The soldier was surrounded by the enemy, still (nevertheless) he did not surrender.

What are Co-ordinating Conjunctions?

Conjunctions that join two independent statements or two statements or clauses of equal rank together are called co-ordinating conjunctions. Coordinating means of Equal Rank.

Examples:

And, but, or, then, therefore, else, however, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, both…and, Nevertheless, for, consequently, so, still, only, etc.

Types of Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are of four different kinds that require joining sentences into a compound sentence.

  • Cumulative conjunctions or Copulative conjunctions
  • Alternative or Disjunctive conjunctions:
  • Adversative conjunctions
  • Illative conjunctions

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Compound Sentence Joining using Cumulative conjunctions

Cumulative or Copulative conjunctions simply add one statement to another.

Examples:

  • And
  • Both …and
  • Also
  • Too
  • As well as
  • Not only but also
  • No less than

Join the following sentences into a compound sentence using cumulative conjunctions.

(1) Kalam’s father was austere. He avoided all luxury.

Ans : Kalam’s father was austere and avoided all luxury.

(2) She switched on the light. She left the door open.

Ans : She switched on the light and left the door open.

(3) She permitted him to stoop. She permitted him to pick up her purse.

Ans : She permitted him both to stoop and pick up her purse.

Or,    She permitted him to stoop as well as pick up her purse.

(4) The narrator was gallant. He was serious.

Ans : Not only was the narrator gallant, but he was also serious.

(5) The absence of a sense of beauty cheats man of aesthetic experience. It harms his physical and mental well-being.

Ans : The absence of a sense of beauty cheats man of aesthetic experience as well as harms his physical and mental well-being.

(6) He just spat on his hand. He recommenced digging.

Ans : He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.

(7) The man held his hands pressed against his stomach. Blood was flowing from under them.

Ans : The man held his hands pressed against his stomach and blood was flowing from under them.

(8) The girl had beautiful eyes. She had perfumed hair.

Ans : The girl not only had beautiful eyes but also had perfumed hair.

(9) He is honest . He is humble.

Ans : He is not only honest but also humble.

(10) I was filled with sadness. I was numb with shock.

Ans : I was not only filled with sadness but also with shock.

Compound Sentence Joining using Alternative conjunctions

Alternative or Disjunctive conjunctions simply express a choice between the two alternatives. 

Examples:

  • Either…or
  • Neither…nor
  • Or
  • Otherwise
  • Else

Join the following sentences into a compound sentence using Alternative conjunctions.

(1)  Did she wear her hair in a bun? Was it plaited?

Ans : Did she wear her hair in a bun or was it plaited?

(2) He could make a dash for the door. He could stay.

Ans : Either he could make a dash for the door, or he could stay.

(3) The scholars did not answer satisfactorily. The Tsar did not give the reward.

Ans :  Neither did the scholars answer satisfactorily nor did the Tsar give the reward.

(4) Don’t be a borrower. Don’t be a lender.

Ans : ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be.’ (Shakespeare)

(5) She should weep. She may not weep. She may die.

Ans : Either she will weep, or she will die.

(6) Leave the place at once. You may be in trouble.

Ans : Leave the place at once or you will be in trouble.

(7) The foreigner may be a Frenchman. He may be an Italian. He must be one of them.

Ans :  The foreigner is either a Frenchman or an Italian.

(8) You may fight. You may surrender. You must do one of the two things.

Ans :   Either you fight or surrender.

(9) They did not make a sound. They did not start.

Ans :   Neither did they make a sound, nor did they star.

(10) Study hard. You will not pass the examination.

Ans :   Study hard or you will not pass the examination.

Or Study hard else you will not pass the examination.

Compound Sentence Joining with Adversative Conjunctions

Adversative conjunctions simply express contrast or opposition between two statements or ideas.

Examples:

  • But
  • Still
  • yet
  • Nevertheless
  • However
  • On the contrary
  • Only.
  • While/Whereas

Join the following sentences into a compound sentence using Adversative conjunctions.

(1) I vowed to take revenge. You showed mercy.

Ans : I vowed to take revenge, but you showed mercy.

(2) My parents were tall and handsome. I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks.

Ans : My parents were tall and handsome, but I was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks.

(3) The hermit listened to the Tsar. He answered nothing.

Ans :  The hermit listened to the Tsar, but he answered nothing.

(4) Many learned men came to the Tsar. They answered his questions differently.

Ans :   Many learned men came to the Tsar, but they answered his questions differently.

(5) The boy began to struggle. Mrs Jones continued to drag him up the street.

Ans :    The boy began to struggle, still Mrs Jones continued to drag him up the street.

(6)  She could not bear to sit in a train for more than two or three hours. He was prepared to sit there for almost any length of time, just to listen to her talking.

Ans :    She could not bear to sit in a train for more than two or three hours, yet he was prepared to sit there for almost any length of time, just to listen to her talking.

(7)  Kalam’s father avoided luxuries. All necessities were provided for.

Ans : Kalam’s father avoided luxuries, however, all necessities were provided for.

(8)  The report is lengthy. The report is not completed.

Ans : The report is lengthy, yet (however) it is not completed.

(9)  We are lazy. The Japanese are very active.

Ans :  We are lazy whereas the Japanese are very active.

(10)  The soldier was surrounded by the enemy. He did not surrender.

Ans :  The soldier was surrounded by the enemy, still he did not surrender.

(12)  I have not achieved my goal. I am not hopeless.

Ans :  I have not achieved my goal, yet I am not hopeless.

(13)  We heard of Bapu’s death. We could not accept the fact.

Ans :  We heard of Bapu’s death but could not accept the fact.

(14)  Sonali cannot write poetry. She keeps on trying.

Ans :  Sonali cannot write poetry, yet she keeps on trying.

Compound Sentence Joining with Illative Conjunctions

By Illative conjunctions, one statement or fact is inferred or proved from another.  They simply express inference or conclusion from two or more statements.

Illative Conjunctions Example:

  • Therefore
  • For
  • So
  • Consequently
  • therefore
  • Then
  • so
  • so then

Join the following sentences into a compound sentence using Illative conjunctions.

(1) The train drew slowly into the station. The girl began to collect her things.

Ans :The train drew slowly into the station, so the girl began to collect her things.

(2) The narrator was blind. He could not see the physical beauty of the girl.

Ans : The narrator was blind; therefore, he could not see the physical beauty of the girl.

(3) You have saved my life. I am here to serve you.

Ans : You have saved my life, as a result, [consequently]I am here to serve you.

(4) Many people visited Kalam’s home after being cured. They wanted to offer thanks to his father.

Ans : Many people visited Kalam’s home after being cured for they wanted to offer thanks to his father.

(5) He spent all his money. He had no means to buy his rations.

Ans : He spent all his money, as a result he had no means to buy his rations.

(6) He was very popular among the voters. He won the election.

Ans : He was very popular among the voters, co consequently he won the election.

(7) The sun set. We could not see the path in the forest.

Ans : The sun set, as a result we could not see the path in the forest.

(8) It was a day of festival. We were all in a joyous mood.

Ans : It was a day of festivals so; we were all in a joyous mood.

(9) People did not weep anymore. They could feel Gandhiji’s presence amid the flowers and the songs.

Ans : People did not weep anymore for they could feel Gandhiji’s presence amid the flowers and the songs.

(10) The old man is unwell. He cannot go out.

Ans : The old man is unwell so he cannot go out.

Compound Sentence Examples with Relative Pronouns and Relative Adverbs

Normally, Compound Sentences contain coordinate clauses, and they are joined by coordinating conjunctions. 

Co-ordinate clauses are also joined by a Relative Pronoun or Adverb, used in a Continuative sense i.e. when the Relative can be broken up into “and he”“and it”, “and this”“but he” etc.

Examples:

Relative Pronouns :

(1) He helped me, which (= and this) was very kind of him.

(2) I went to the principal who (= and he) spoke kindly to me.

(3) At last, I found him, which (=and this) relieved me of my anxiety.

(4) My horse, which (= and it) is in the stable, is an Arab.

Relative Adverb:

(1) I saw him yesterday, when (=and then) he gave the news.

(2) I went to Calcutta, where (= and there) I stayed for one month.

Compound Sentence Joining with Correlative Conjunctions or Correlatives

Some Conjunctions are used in pairs. Conjunctions that are used in pairs are called Correlative Conjunctions or merely Correlatives.

Example:

  • Either…or
  • Neither….nor
  • Both…and
  • Whether…or
  • Not only….but also

When Conjunctions are used as Correlatives, each of the correlated words should be placed immediately before the words to be connected, or each word placed after the correlated word should be the same parts of speech.

  • Example 1: He visited not only Agra but also Delhi. -­­ Correct
  • Example 2: He not only visited Agra but also Delhi.  – Incorrect

Compound Sentence Examples with Compound Conjunctions

Compound expressions as Conjunctions are called Compound Conjunctions.

Example:

(1) In order that: 

  • The notice was published in order that all might know the facts.

(2) On condition that

  • I will forgive you on condition that you do not repeat the offense.

(3) Even if: 

  • Such an act would not be kind even if it were just.

(4) So that: 

  • He saved some bread so that he should not go hungry on the morrow.

(5) Provided that: 

  • You can borrow the book provided that you return it soon.

(6) As though: 

  • He walks as though he is slightly lame.

(7) As well as: 

  • Rama, as well as Govind, was present there.

(8) As soon as 

  • He took off his coat as soon as he entered the house.

(9) As if:  

  • He looks as if he were weary.

Compound Sentence Joining Questions and Answers

(1) The boy is intelligent. He stood first in the examination. ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :  The boy is intelligent, and he stood first in the examination.

(2)  The boy is intelligent. He failed in the examination. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :  The boy is intelligent, but he failed in the examination.

(3)  You must do this. If you fail to do this you must die. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  Do or die.

(4)  It is raining heavily. I will take an umbrella with me. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :  It is raining heavily, so I will take an umbrella with me.

(5)  Shakespeare was a playwright. Shakespeare was an actor. ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :   Shakespeare was both a playwright and an actor.

Or, Shakespeare was a playwright as well as an actor.

(6)  The Bengalees are lazy. The Japanese are active. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   The Bengalees are lazy but (whereas) the Japanese are active.

(7) You should confess your guilt. If you do not do that, you will be punished. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  You should confess your guilt, otherwise you will be punished.

(8)  It was a day of festivity. We were all in a pleasant mood. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :   We were all in a pleasant mood, for it was a day of festivity.

(9)  Napoleon was a great soldier. He was an able administrator. ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :   Napoleon was not only a great soldier but (also) an able administrator.

(10)  The report is lengthy. The report is not completed. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   The report is lengthy, yet (it is not completed.

(11)  You may fight. You may surrender. You must do one of the two things. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  Either fight or surrender.

(12)  He spent all his money. He had no means to buy his day’s bread. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :   He spent all his money; therefore,  he had no means to buy his day’s bread.

(13)  Satyajit Roy was a film director. He was a music director. He was a

scenario writer. ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :  Satyajit Roy was a film director, a music director and a scenario writer.

(14)  The soldier was surrounded by the enemy. He did not surrender. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   The soldier was surrounded by the enemy, still (nevertheless) he did not surrender.

(15)  The foreigner may be a French. He may be a German. He must be one

of them. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans : The foreigner is either a French or a German.

(16)  It was very dark. We could not see the path in the jungle. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :   It was very dark, consequently we could not see the path in the jungle.

(17)  The thunder roared. The lightning flashed. ( Using Cumulative conjunction

Ans :  The thunder roared, and the lightning flashed.

(18)  He is extremely poor. He wears a smile on his face. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   He is extremely poor but (still, yet) he wears a smile on his face.

(19)  Lucy was a very sweet girl. She was loved by all people. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :   Lucy was a very sweet girl, as a result she was loved by all people.

(20)  Men may go there. Women may go there. ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :  Both men and women may go there.

(21)  She did not tell the truth. You will excuse her. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   She did not tell the truth, however you will excuse her.

(22)  The girl did not sing. She did not dance. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  The girl neither sang nor danced.

(23)  It will be quite cold on a windy day.  I will take my woollen clothes with me. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :   I will It will be quite cold on a windy day consequently (so, therefore) take my woollen clothes with me.

(24)  He had not heard so sweet a voice. He had not seen so beautiful a face. ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :  He had not only heard so sweet a voice but also seen so beautiful a face.

(25)  Somak is studius. Sounak is the reverse.  ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   Somak is studius whereas (while) Sounak is the reverse.

(26)  Don’t be a borrower. Don’t be a lender. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  “Neither a borrower nor a lender be”-(Shakespeare).

(27)  Sutapa is sick. She will appear in the Unit Test. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   Sutapa is sick nevertheless she will appear in the Unit Test.

(28)  You may go. You may stay. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  You may go or stay, or, you may either go or stay.

(29)  You must pay the price. I cannot afford to lose the money. ( Using Adversative conjunction)

Ans :   I cannot afford to lose the money on the contrary you must pay the price.

(30)  Avik scored high in almost all subjects. Souvik scored high in almost all subjects.  ( Using Cumulative conjunction)

Ans :  Avik as well as Souvik scored high in almost all subjects.

(31)  The goods will be exchanged. The prices will  be returned. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  Either the goods will be exchanged, or the prices will be returned.

(32)  I shall certainly try to win. My honour depends on it. ( Using Illative conjunction)

Ans :   I shall certainly try to win for my honour depends on it.

(33)  The student is not intelligent. He is not diligent. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

 Ans :  The student is neither intelligent nor diligent.

(34)  You will be fined. You will suffer overnight detention. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans :  You will be fined otherwise you will suffer overnight detention.

(35)  They cannot be coming. They would have called. ( Using Alternative conjunction)

Ans : They cannot be coming or else they would be called (or else = if not, otherwise).

FAQs on Compound Sentence Joining

What Are Coordinating Conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions, often referred to as “coordinators,” are words that connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal rank and importance within a sentence. The seven most commonly used coordinating conjunctions are:

  1. For: Used to indicate causality or reason.
  2. And: Signifies addition or connection.
  3. Nor: Indicates negation or alternatives.
  4. But: Expresses contrast or exception.
  5. Or: Presents alternatives or choices.
  6. Yet: Shows contrast or surprise.
  7. So: Conveys consequence or result.

How Do Coordinating Conjunctions Work?

Coordinating conjunctions facilitate the creation of compound sentences by combining two independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence. To illustrate, let’s consider the following example:

Original Sentences:

  • She loves to read books.
  • She enjoys hiking.

By using a coordinating conjunction, you can merge these sentences into a compound sentence:

Compound Sentence:

  • She loves to read books, and she enjoys hiking.

In this instance, the coordinating conjunction “and” connects the two independent clauses, making the sentence more concise and coherent.

Can I Start a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction?

Yes, you can start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, but it should be used sparingly and for specific emphasis. Starting a sentence with a conjunction can provide a conversational tone and draw attention to the idea being expressed. For instance:

  • And, after years of hard work, she finally achieved her dream.
  • But, there was one obstacle she couldn’t overcome.

While starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions is grammatically acceptable, it’s advisable not to overuse this technique in formal writing.

What Punctuation Should I Use with Coordinating Conjunctions?

When using coordinating conjunctions to join two independent clauses, you should use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. This comma is known as a “comma before the coordinating conjunction” or a “serial comma.” For example:

  • He studied diligently, but he still struggled with the exam.

Using the comma before the coordinating conjunction helps clarify the separation between the two independent clauses.

Can I Use Multiple Coordinating Conjunctions in One Sentence?

Yes, you can use multiple coordinating conjunctions in a single sentence, but it should be done judiciously. This technique, known as “polysyndeton,” can create a rhythmic and emphatic effect. For instance:

  • He was tired, and hungry, and cold, and utterly determined to finish the race.

While multiple coordinating conjunctions can add emphasis, they should be used with caution to maintain readability.