Which sentence is a compound sentence?

Which sentence is a compound sentence?

• A. I wish I could buy a new car.
• B. I wish I could buy a new car and I do not have enough money.
• C. I wish I could buy a new car and I do not have enough money right now.
• D. I wish I could buy a new car, but I do not have enough money right now.

Answer: (D)

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as but, and, or) and usually a comma before that conjunction. Each part can stand alone as its own sentence. In this sentence, both parts can stand alone: “I wish I could buy a new car” and “I do not have enough money right now.” They’re linked by the coordinating conjunction but, with a comma before it, which clearly marks two complete thoughts connected in contrast. This is the standard, well-punctuated example of a compound sentence. The other options either express a single idea, or join two independent clauses without the comma before the coordinating conjunction, which makes the structure less clearly a properly punctuated compound sentence.

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as but, and, or) and usually a comma before that conjunction. Each part can stand alone as its own sentence.

In this sentence, both parts can stand alone: “I wish I could buy a new car” and “I do not have enough money right now.” They’re linked by the coordinating conjunction but, with a comma before it, which clearly marks two complete thoughts connected in contrast. This is the standard, well-punctuated example of a compound sentence.

The other options either express a single idea, or join two independent clauses without the comma before the coordinating conjunction, which makes the structure less clearly a properly punctuated compound sentence.