Ways of combining two or more simple sentences into one compound sentence

A compound sentence has two or more co-ordinate clauses. It can be formed only with the help of coordinating conjunctions.

By using and, both ... and, not only ... but also, as well as

These conjunctions add one statement to another.

• Peter got up. He went to the market.
• Peter got up and went to the market.
• He had many friends. He also had several enemies.
• Not only had he many friends but also several enemies.
• Tom passed the test. John also passed the test.
• Tom as well as John passed the test.

By using but, yet, whereas, nevertheless

These conjunctions are used when contrasting statements have to be joined together.

• He is ill. He is cheerful.
• He is ill but he is cheerful.
• He is rich. He is miserable.
• He is rich, yet miserable.
• Tom is ambitious. His brother is quite the reverse.
• Tom is ambitious whereas his brother is quite the reverse.
• There was little hope of success. They decided to perform the operation.
• There was little hope of success, nevertheless they decided to perform the operation.

By using or, either ... or, nor, neither ... nor, otherwise, else

These conjunctions are used when two alternative facts or statements have to be presented.

• You can have tea. You can have coffee.
• You can have tea or coffee.
• He is a fool. He is a madman.
• He is either a fool or a mad man.
• He doesn't smoke. He doesn't drink.
• He neither smokes nor drinks.
• He will not spend his money. He will not invest it.
• He will neither spend his money nor invest it.
• You must apologize. You will be punished.
• You must apologize, otherwise you will be punished.

By using for, so

These are used when you have to make an inference from another statement or fact.

• He must be asleep. There is no light in his room.
• He must be asleep for there is no light in his room.
• He has been working hard. He will pass.
• He has been working hard so he will pass.

Sections in this article

Synthesis of sentences - I
Synthesis of sentences - II
Synthesis of sentences - III
Synthesis of sentences - IV