What defines a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is defined by its structure, which includes at least two independent clauses that are joined together by a coordinating conjunction, such as "and," "but," or "or." Independent clauses are complete sentences in their own right; they can stand alone and express a complete thought. When these clauses are linked, they create a compound sentence that adds complexity and variety to writing.

For example, the sentences "I wanted to go for a walk" and "It started to rain" can be combined into the compound sentence "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain." This structure allows for the concise expression of two related ideas, demonstrating the relationship between them.

The other options describe different sentence structures that do not meet the criteria for a compound sentence. Therefore, recognizing the defining characteristic of a compound sentence as the combination of two independent clauses is crucial for understanding sentence composition in English grammar.