3. The Compound Sentence with a Semicolon - Grammar, Plain and Simple

A compound sentence is two complete thoughts joined together. Usually we use a comma and one of the FANBOYS to join two simple sentences into a compound sentence.

You can also join two simple sentences with a semicolon. The semicolon (;) takes the place of comma, FANBOYS in a compound sentence.

Look at these compound sentences:

It rained on Monday, but Tuesday was sunny.

It rained on Monday; Tuesday was sunny.

The two compound sentences say the exact same thing. The only difference is the way in which the two simple sentences are joined.

Use a comma, FANBOYS or a semicolon to join two simple sentences. Either way, you have made a compound sentence.

Now you do it. Here are two simple sentences. I walk to school. Jan rides her bike. First, put them together with a comma, FANBOYS to make a compound sentence. Next, put them together with a semicolon to make a compound sentence. Now you know two ways to make a compound sentence. It’s that simple!