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The Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing
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Section 13.1.2

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses. The independent clauses are joined in one of the following ways to indicate that they form one sentence.

Do not attempt to form a compound sentence by joining the independent clauses with just a comma. Such a structure is called a comma splice.

The independent clauses that make up the compound sentence should be at least approximately equal in importance. If one clause is clearly less important than the other(s), make the less important clause a dependent clause by introducing it with a subordinating conjunction. The resulting sentence will then be complex rather than compound.


Weak

Jupiter has an enormous size and gravity [background] and the Galileo probe steadily gained velocity as it approached the planet [focus].

Improved

Because Jupiter has an enormous size and gravity [background], the Galileo probe steadily gained velocity as it approached the planet [focus].

--"Halo Nuclei," Scientific American (modified)


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