Compound Sentence Examples

Now look at some more examples showing compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions or semicolons in context, as well as compound sentences with conjunctive adverbs and others used in famous quotations and sayings.

Compound sentence examples (with coordinating conjunctions)

• The cinema was sold out, so we watched a movie on TV.
• I'll have a week in Rome, or I'll go to Paris for three days.
• I really need a holiday, but I don't have the money, and I don't have the time.
• He's crazy! He doesn't like the car, yet he bought it anyway.
• It's gone 10pm, and he still hasn't arrived.
• Our car broke down, so we took a taxi.
• Our plane left Bangkok on schedule, and we arrived in London early.
• I cannot criticize him, for he is my brother.
• There are no eggs in the fridge, nor is there any bread in the cupboard.
• I would have passed the exam, but I didn't study enough.
• Should they take the test now, or should they wait until next month?
• I have never visited Moscow, nor have I been to St Petersburg.
• The pain was really bad, yet he refused to see a doctor.

Compound sentence examples (with semicolons)

• The Angel Falls waterfall in Venezuela plunges 907 metres; it looks spectacular.
• The entire town was flooded; people used boats.
• We always shop at the supermarket; it's got everything in one place.
• Call us next week; it should be in then.
• You can pay online; we accept all major credit cards.
• I only write non-fiction; I've never tried fiction.

Compound sentence examples (with conjunctive adverbs)

• Frantic is my favourite film; however, I've only seen it once.
• He turned himself in to the police; otherwise, they would have arrested him.
• He's got a really good job; at least, that's what he says.
• He claimed he was working last night; however, nobody saw him at the office.

Compound sentence examples (in famous quotations)

Here are some examples of compound sentences in quotes from famous people and sources.

• "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn." Laurence Binyon
• "To be uncertain is uncomfortable; but to be certain is ridiculous." Goethe
• "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt though return." Bible
• "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." Oscar Wilde
• "The girl was beheaded, chopped into pieces and placed in a trunk, but was not interfered with." British newspaper report
• "I am just going outside and may be some time." Captain Lawrence Oates
• "I desire to go to Hell and not to Heaven." Niccolo Machiavelli
• "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton
• "Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other." Erma Bombeck

Compound sentence examples (in sayings)

These compound sentence examples come from everyday sayings and proverbs in the English language.

• Give a thief enough rope and he'll hang himself.
• There's one law for the rich, and another for the poor.
• A man is as old as he feels, and a woman is as old as she looks.
• Money is a good servant, but a bad master.
• Talk of the Devil, and he is bound to appear.
• There is a time to speak and a time to be silent.
• You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

Contributor: Josef Essberger