What type of sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction?

A compound sentence is characterized by its structure, which comprises two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction such as "and," "but," or "or." Each of the independent clauses in a compound sentence can stand alone as a complete sentence, meaning they each convey a complete thought. The use of a coordinating conjunction to join these clauses not only links them together but also establishes a relationship between the ideas they express.

In contrast, a simple sentence contains just one independent clause, offering a single complete thought. A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Finally, a dependent clause on its own does not convey a complete idea and must be paired with an independent clause to make sense. Understanding these distinctions helps in recognizing the unique structure of a compound sentence and its function in writing.