What structure is a compound sentence comprised of?

A compound sentence is formed by combining two or more independent clauses, which are clauses that can stand alone as complete sentences. Each independent clause in a compound sentence is joined by coordinating conjunctions, such as "and," "but," or "or," or by punctuation like a semicolon. This structure allows the writer to connect related ideas, contrasting points, or additional details in a coherent manner, making the writing more fluid and engaging.

In contrast, a sentence composed of dependent clauses or a combination of dependent and independent clauses would not be classified as compound. A dependent clause cannot stand alone, as it relies on an independent clause for meaning, while a single independent clause does not combine multiple thoughts and therefore does not meet the definition of a compound sentence.