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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Can You Identify Compound Sentences? Take the Quiz!

Put your compound sentences practice to the test!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Golden yellow background with paper layers showing sentence strips joined by and to illustrate compound sentence structure

Use this quiz to identify compound sentences and see how well you join two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. You'll get quick feedback so you can fix comma use and run-ons; when you're done, try more practice in compound vs. complex sentences or take a short sentence structure quiz .

Which of the following is a compound sentence?
Although I like tea, I avoid caffeine.
Whenever I drink tea, I feel calm.
I like tea, but my friend prefers coffee.
I like tea and coffee.
The correct answer joins two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction "but," forming a compound sentence. Compound sentences connect complete ideas of equal importance. Other options either lack two independent clauses or use subordinating conjunctions. Read more at .
Which sentence below is a compound sentence?
She went home and went to bed.
She wanted to go for a walk, so she put on her shoes.
When she arrived, the party had already started.
Because she was tired, she went to bed early.
This sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction "so." That structure defines a compound sentence. The other choices use subordinating conjunctions or lack proper clause separation. Additional details are available at .
Select the compound sentence from the options.
After Tom studied for the exam, he celebrated.
Tom studied for the exam because he wanted to do well.
Tom studied for the exam; however, he felt nervous.
Tom studied for the exam, and he passed with flying colors.
The correct answer joins two independent clauses with a comma and the conjunction "and," creating a compound sentence. The fourth option is compound-complex because of the conjunctive adverb "however." Visit for more examples.
Choose the sentence that is a compound sentence.
When the sun rose, the birds started singing.
The sun rose, and the birds started singing.
To see the sunrise, we woke up early.
The sun rose while the birds sang.
A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction "and." This example fits the definition. The other sentences use subordinating conjunctions or infinitive phrases. Learn more at .
Which of the following is a correctly punctuated compound sentence?
I wanted to call you and I lost your number.
I wanted to call you, but I lost your number.
I wanted to call you; and I lost your number.
I wanted to call you but, I lost your number.
The correct choice uses a comma before the coordinating conjunction "but" to join two independent clauses. Other options either misplace the comma or omit necessary punctuation. Proper punctuation is key in forming a compound sentence. See guidelines at .
Identify the compound sentence containing the conjunction "yet."
I was tired but I needed rest.
Yet, I was tired and working.
Working late was tiring, yet rewarding.
I was tired, yet I continued working.
This sentence joins two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction "yet," creating a compound sentence. The others either use subordinating structures or misplace the conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions signal compound structures. For more, visit .
Which of these sentences is a compound sentence?
You can come with us and share the ride.
You can come with us, or you can stay here.
If you come with us, we can share the ride.
To share the ride, you must come with us.
The sentence uses a comma plus the coordinating conjunction "or" to join two independent clauses, forming a compound sentence. Other options either lack correct punctuation or use subordinating conjunctions. Recognizing coordinating conjunctions helps identify compound sentences. Details at .
Select the compound sentence containing a comma and the conjunction "for."
For it looked like rain I packed the umbrella.
I packed the umbrella because it looked like rain.
I packed the umbrella, for it looked like rain.
Because it looked like rain, I packed the umbrella.
This sentence correctly joins two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction "for." Other choices use subordinating conjunctions or improper clause order. Recognizing "for" as a coordinating conjunction is essential. More at .
Which option correctly combines these two independent clauses into a compound sentence? "I missed the bus." "I arrived late to work."
Because I missed the bus, I arrived late to work.
I missed the bus I arrived late to work.
I missed the bus; but I arrived late to work.
I missed the bus, and I arrived late to work.
The correct answer joins two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and." The first option is a run-on, the third misuses a semicolon with a conjunction, and the fourth is subordinating. For more, see .
Which of the following is a comma splice rather than a compound sentence?
Because she loves reading, she goes to the library weekly.
She loves reading, she goes to the library weekly.
She loves reading and she goes to the library weekly.
She loves reading, so she goes to the library weekly.
A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma, lacking a coordinating conjunction. The correct compound sentence uses "so," while the subordinating structure uses "because." Proper compound sentences need a comma and a conjunction. Learn more at .
Fill in the blank: I studied all night, ____ I still failed the test.
but
for
and
yet
The coordinating conjunction "yet" contrasts the two independent clauses, indicating an unexpected result. Using "but" would also join clauses but doesn't convey the same nuance of surprise. "And" and "for" serve different functions. See usage at .
Which of the following sentences is purely a compound sentence?
Because the weather changed, we left early, and they stayed late.
We left early because the weather changed, and they stayed late.
We left early, they stayed late because of traffic.
We left early, and they stayed late.
The correct option contains two independent clauses joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction "and," without any subordinate clauses. The other choices include subordinating conjunctions, making them compound-complex. For more, visit .
Which of the following sentences avoids a comma splice?
Because she applied for the job, he updated his resume.
She applied for the job; he updated his resume.
She applied for the job, so he updated his resume.
She applied for the job, he updated his resume.
The correct sentence uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses without creating a comma splice. The first option is a comma splice, the third properly uses a comma and conjunction, and the fourth is subordinating. Purdue OWL explains semicolons at .
Identify the coordinating conjunction in this compound sentence: "He could go for a run, or he could stay indoors and read."
for
but
or
and
In a compound sentence, coordinating conjunctions join independent clauses. Here, "or" connects the two clauses. Understanding these conjunctions is key to identifying compound structures. Learn more at .
Which of the following sentences is NOT a compound sentence?
Because it was late, we headed home.
The storm was fierce, yet we continued our hike.
I wanted pizza, so I ordered online.
She studied all weekend, and she passed the exam.
The second sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction "because," making it complex, not compound. Compound sentences join two independent clauses equally. The others use coordinating conjunctions correctly. More at .
Choose the correctly punctuated compound sentence with a semicolon.
He writes daily she reads every night.
He writes daily; she reads every night.
He writes daily; and she reads every night.
Because he writes daily; she reads every night.
A semicolon can join two related independent clauses without a conjunction. The first option uses the semicolon correctly. The others either omit needed punctuation or misuse conjunctions. See semicolon use at .
Which of the following sentences uses a correlative conjunction to form a compound sentence?
The manager arrived and the staff was prepared.
Although the manager arrived, the staff was unprepared.
Neither the manager arrived on time nor the staff was prepared.
The manager arrived, but the staff was unprepared.
Correlative conjunctions like "neither…nor" can join two independent clauses in a compound sentence. The first sentence correctly uses this pair. The others use standard coordinating or subordinating conjunctions. More at .
Identify the sentence that is a run-on and needs correction to become a compound sentence.
He loves music he plays the guitar.
He loves music; he plays the guitar.
He loves music, and he plays the guitar.
Since he loves music, he plays the guitar.
The first option is a run-on sentence, joining two independent clauses without punctuation or conjunction. Correct compound sentences need a coordinating conjunction with a comma or a semicolon. The others show proper forms. See common errors at .
Which revision correctly turns this fused sentence into a compound sentence? Original: "The sun set we headed back home."
The sun set we headed back home.
When the sun set we headed back home.
The sun set; and we headed back home.
The sun set, and we headed back home.
Adding a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and" properly joins the two independent clauses. The semicolon plus conjunction is incorrect, and the subordinating option changes the sentence type. More revision tips at .
Which sentence is a compound sentence that uses only a semicolon, without a conjunction?
I finished my project; I submitted it.
After I finished my project, I submitted it.
I finished my project; but I had doubts.
I finished my project, and I submitted it.
A semicolon alone can join two related independent clauses to form a compound sentence. The first option correctly does this. The second uses a comma and conjunction, the third is complex, and the fourth misuses a semicolon with a conjunction. See rules at .
Identify the compound sentence that includes exactly two independent clauses.
I called her and I left a message.
I called her, but she didn't answer.
Although I called her, she didn't answer.
I called her, she didn't answer, so I left a voicemail.
The first option joins two independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction "but." The second has three clauses, the third is complex, and the fourth lacks necessary punctuation. Understanding clause count helps identify pure compound sentences. More at .
Which choice demonstrates the correct use of a semicolon and conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses?
I wanted to leave however; the storm prevented me.
I wanted to leave; however, the storm prevented me.
I wanted to leave, however; the storm prevented me.
I wanted to leave; however the storm prevented me.
The correct format uses a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb "however" and a comma after it to join two independent clauses. Other options misplace punctuation, leading to errors. This structure combines ideas while showing contrast. See details at .
Which of the following sentences is compound-complex rather than purely compound?
She finished her work, and he left for the day.
She finished her work, but he continued working after the meeting.
Though she finished her work, he stayed late.
She finished her work; he left for the day.
The first sentence has two independent clauses joined by "but" and a subordinate clause "after the meeting," making it compound-complex. The others are pure compound or complex. Recognizing subordinate clauses helps differentiate them. More info at .
Which option correctly combines these three independent clauses into one compound sentence? "The team practiced all week." "They felt prepared." "They won the game."
The team practiced all week; they felt prepared; and they won the game.
The team practiced all week they felt prepared; they won the game.
The team practiced all week, they felt prepared, and they won the game.
The team practiced all week; and they felt prepared, and they won the game.
Joining three independent clauses requires semicolons between balanced clauses and a coordinating conjunction before the last clause. The first option uses semicolons correctly and includes "and." The second uses commas incorrectly (comma splice), the third mixes semicolon and conjunction improperly, and the fourth lacks punctuation. Refer to .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Engage with the Identify Compound Sentences Quiz -

    Complete interactive questions in the identify compound sentences quiz that challenge you to spot compound sentence structures in context.

  2. Identify Compound Sentences -

    Understand how two independent clauses are joined by coordinating conjunctions to form compound sentences examples provided throughout the quiz.

  3. Differentiate Sentence Types -

    Analyze sentence structures to distinguish compound sentences from simple or complex sentences during compound sentences practice.

  4. Apply Coordinating Conjunctions -

    Use conjunctions like "and," "but," and "or" effectively to create and recognize correct compound sentence structure quiz items.

  5. Evaluate Punctuation Accuracy -

    Assess compound sentence exercises to reinforce proper comma usage and conjunction placement in your writing.

  6. Enhance Writing Flow -

    Incorporate compound sentences seamlessly into your writing to boost clarity and rhythm for more engaging prose.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Coordinating conjunctions and the FANBOYS rule -

    Compound sentences join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS). Remember the mnemonic "We FANBOYS celebrate" to keep these seven connectors top of mind. According to Purdue OWL, spotting FANBOYS is the first step in mastering compound sentences.

  2. Comma placement before conjunctions -

    When two clauses are of equal weight, place a comma before the coordinating conjunction to avoid a run-on (e.g., "She studied hard, and she passed the test."). The University of North Carolina Writing Center highlights that this comma clarifies separation between clauses. Practice by inserting commas in sample sentences until it becomes second nature.

  3. Distinguishing independent clauses -

    Each part of a compound sentence must stand alone as a complete thought (subject + verb). Unlike dependent clauses (which begin with subordinators like although or because), independent clauses can function solo. Cambridge University Press emphasizes identifying each clause's subject and verb to confirm its independence.

  4. Avoiding comma splices and run-ons -

    A comma splice incorrectly joins independent clauses without a conjunction (e.g., "He ran fast, he caught the bus."). To fix it, add a coordinating conjunction or change the comma to a semicolon. The APA Style Guide recommends semicolons as an alternative when the clauses are closely linked in meaning.

  5. Compound sentence practice with examples -

    Create your own sentences using prompts, then swap clauses with classmates or use online quizzes for immediate feedback. For instance, combine "The sun set" and "the stars appeared" with a conjunction: "The sun set, and the stars appeared."

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