Ever wondered what the difference between compound and complex sentences is? A lot many students struggle to recognize the difference between the two. So here are a few points of difference between complex and compound sentences:
Compound
- A Compound Sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses
- In a compound sentence, the two clauses are connected by a coordinating conjunction
- A compound sentence doesn’t contain any dependent clauses
- Coordinating conjunction can’t be used to begin a sentence
- Coordinating conjunctions are of seven types: are, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet
- Compound sentences use a comma between the clauses
- The compound formation is = Independent Clause 1 + coordinating conjunction +
Independent Clause 2
The examples of a compound sentence are:
I waited for her at the bus stop, but she didn’t come.
Although he was rich, he wasn’t happy and satisfied.
Complex
- A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
- In a complex sentence, the two clauses connected by a subordinating conjunction
- A Complex sentence contains one or more independent clauses
- Subordinating conjunction is always used at the beginning of a sentence
- The complex formation is = Independent clause + dependent clause
The examples of a complex sentence are:
I learned science perfectly because I studied very hard.
When I asked him to complete his unfinished work, he denied instantly.
While studying grammar, you will come around the topic of sentences. Complex and compound sentences are a bit difficult to identify when you don’t know the exact difference between the two. To see the difference between complex and compound sentences to score well in grammar and better your vocabulary.