Which sentence is a compound sentence?

Which sentence is a compound sentence?

• A. I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.
• B. Because I was late.
• C. The cat slept.
• D. The sun shines.

Answer: (A)

Two complete thoughts joined by a coordinating conjunction form a compound sentence. Here, the sentence has two independent clauses: “I wanted to go for a walk” and “it started to rain.” Each part could stand alone as its own sentence, and they’re connected by the coordinating conjunction “but” with a comma, making the whole thing a compound sentence. The other options don’t fit that pattern. One starts with a subordinating word and cannot stand alone, so it’s a fragment rather than a full sentence. The remaining two have only one independent clause each, so they’re simple sentences, not compound.

Two complete thoughts joined by a coordinating conjunction form a compound sentence. Here, the sentence has two independent clauses: “I wanted to go for a walk” and “it started to rain.” Each part could stand alone as its own sentence, and they’re connected by the coordinating conjunction “but” with a comma, making the whole thing a compound sentence.

The other options don’t fit that pattern. One starts with a subordinating word and cannot stand alone, so it’s a fragment rather than a full sentence. The remaining two have only one independent clause each, so they’re simple sentences, not compound.