Which type of sentence connects independent clauses using a conjunction?

A compound sentence is defined by its structure of connecting two or more independent clauses with a conjunction, such as "and," "but," or "or." This allows the sentences to stand alone but also work together to convey related ideas. For instance, in the sentence "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain," "I wanted to go for a walk" and "it started to rain" are both independent clauses that could exist separately, but they are connected to provide a more nuanced thought.

In contrast, a simple sentence contains just one independent clause, lacking the complexity of combining ideas. A complex sentence features an independent clause alongside one or more dependent clauses, which do not stand alone as complete thoughts. Finally, a compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, adding further complexity but maintaining the hallmark of compound sentences—independently meaningful parts joined together with conjunctions. Thus, the defining characteristic of a compound sentence is its ability to connect independent clauses with conjunctions clearly and effectively.