What is a simple sentence and how is it different from a compound sentence?

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What is a simple sentence and how is it different from a compound sentence?

A simple sentence is a sentence that consists of only one independent clause. It contains a subject and a predicate, and it expresses a complete thought. A simple sentence can stand alone as a complete sentence and does not require any additional clauses or phrases to convey its meaning.

On the other hand, a compound sentence is a sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses joined together by coordinating conjunctions (such as "and," "but," "or," "so," etc.) or by semicolons. Each independent clause in a compound sentence can stand alone as a separate sentence, but they are connected to express related ideas or thoughts.

The main difference between a simple sentence and a compound sentence lies in the number of independent clauses they contain. A simple sentence has only one independent clause, while a compound sentence has two or more independent clauses. Additionally, a simple sentence is often shorter and more concise, while a compound sentence tends to be longer and more complex due to the presence of multiple clauses.

To illustrate the difference, let's consider the following examples:

Simple sentence: "She ran to catch the bus."
This sentence consists of one independent clause ("She ran to catch the bus") and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Compound sentence: "She ran to catch the bus, but she missed it."
This sentence consists of two independent clauses ("She ran to catch the bus" and "she missed it") joined together by the coordinating conjunction "but." Each independent clause can function as a separate sentence, but they are connected to show a contrast between running to catch the bus and ultimately missing it.

In summary, a simple sentence contains only one independent clause and expresses a complete thought, while a compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined together to express related ideas or thoughts.