What constitutes a compound sentence in grammar?

A compound sentence is defined by its structure, which includes two or more independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction such as "and," "but," or "or." Each independent clause within a compound sentence expresses a complete thought, making it a complete sentence on its own. The ability to join these clauses allows for more complex ideas to be conveyed in a single sentence, improving the flow and connection between related thoughts.

To clarify further, while an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, a compound sentence specifically requires the combination of multiple independent clauses. This distinguishes it from other types of sentences, such as simple sentences, which contain only one independent clause, or complex sentences that include at least one dependent clause alongside an independent clause.