Which feature distinguishes a compound sentence from a simple sentence?

• A. It has two independent clauses
• B. It has one independent clause
• C. It lacks a verb
• D. It uses a coordinating conjunction to join the clauses

Answer: (D)

The key thing a compound sentence shows is how the two complete thoughts are connected. It has two independent clauses, and they’re joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, so, yet, for, or nor. That linking word is the signal that you’re stacking two sentences into one, making a compound sentence. For example: “She finished the report, and she submitted it on time.” Here are two independent ideas tied together with a coordinating conjunction. This distinguishes it from a simple sentence, which has only one independent clause. While a semicolon can also join two independent clauses, the common feature highlighted in many guides is the use of a coordinating conjunction to join them. So the defining feature is using a coordinating conjunction to join the two independent clauses.