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Simple Sentences. All sentences represent various combinations of independent and dependent clauses. A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses. For example:
Simple sentences are not necessarily short. Compound subjects, verbs,
or complements and the addition of phrases can result in simple sentences
that
are quite long. For example:
Without natural fires, the thick overstory of pines and other tall, mature trees grows , increasingly shading out the aspen groves, preventing them from spreading.
Natural fires encourage a diverse arboreal woodland suitable for a broad range of wildlife and less susceptible to insect infestations than the current monoculture of lodgepole pine.
Compound Sentences. A compound sentence joins two independent clauses into a single sentence by using a coordinate conjunction, correlative conjunction, or conjunctive adverb between the two clauses. Coordinate conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal (or parallel) grammatical rank:
and but or for nor so yet
Correlative conjunctions are simply pairs of coordinate conjunctions that connect independent clauses or other grammatically equivalent units:
not only. . .but also neither. . .nor both. . .and either. . .or though. . .yet
Common conjunctive adverbs also connect independent clauses in a compound sentence:
also still then subsequently consequently furthermore hence however indeed instead likewise moreover nevertheless otherwise thus therefore
Here's an example of a compound sentence with coordinate conjunction:
The elk herd in Yellowstone was outgrowing its habitat, so park officials considered the traditional solutions of transplanting and hunting.
Here's an example of a compound sentence with correlative conjunction:
The solution must not only maintain ecological balance without human intervention,
but also it must respond to public concerns.
Here's an example of a compound sentence with a conjunctive adverb:
Most of the range deterioration was not due to overgrazing; instead, the damage was caused by human intervention.
A comma before the coordinating conjunction properly separates two independent clauses in a compound sentence. Whenever a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses, it is preceded by a semicolon and often followed by a comma.
