A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses. Compound sentences can be formed: (1) using coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) (2) using the semicolon "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.” "The drought had lasted now for ten million years, and the reign of the terrible lizards had long since ended." "Always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't go to yours." "Feasts must be solemn and rare, or else they cease to be feasts."

A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when (and many others) or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. “When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the last page.” “After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the movies.” “Juan and Maria went to the movies after they finished studying.”

A compound-complex sentence is made from two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. “Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.” “We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.” “If the president is re-elected, he'll serve another four years, but it won't be an easy contest to win.”

Combine into one sentence: I have a cat. My cat’s name is Matt. Matt is fat. Matt is wearing a cravat. Matt is lazy. Matt is sitting on my head. Matt shed his fur all over my bed.

Sentence Combining There several strategies: Use a semicolon. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Make sure you know the difference between dependent and independent clauses. Of course, you can revise the sentences in other ways.

Sentence Combining Use a semicolon OR a conjunction to separate two related independent clauses: The students at Apex University have oceans of school spirit. The professors at Apex university have the time and resources to give the students the attention they need. Combined: The students at Apex University have oceans of spirit; their professors have the time and resources to give them the attention they need. Combined: The students at Apex University have oceans of spirit because their professors have the time and resources to give them the attention they need.

Sentence Combining Use a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to combine two clauses. Tracy was looking forward to seeing Pacific Rim. Tracy’s friends wanted to see The Lone Ranger. Combined: Tracy was looking forward to seeing Pacific Rim, but her friends wanted to see The Lone Ranger.