What defines a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is defined by the presence of two or more independent clauses. Independent clauses are complete thoughts that can stand alone as sentences. They are typically joined by coordinating conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or," or by a semicolon. This structure allows compound sentences to express more complex ideas by linking related thoughts together, enhancing the clarity and depth of the writing.

In contrast, a sentence containing a dependent clause would not qualify as a compound sentence—it would instead be classified as a complex sentence. A command is indicative of an imperative sentence and has a different purpose. Similarly, a sentence with no clauses does not meet the criteria of a compound sentence. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing and constructing various sentence types in writing.