Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions
FANBOYS
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, or complete thoughts. The independent clauses are connected by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or).
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought.
Clauses in a complex sentence are connected by a subordinating conjunction, such as because, if, then, when, before, or after.
If a subordinate clause appears first in a sentence, use a comma to separate it from the independent clause.
Compound sentence:
Federalists thought one way, but Antifederalists disagreed.
Complex sentence:
Because he was known as a great writer, he was assigned to work on the document.
Complex sentence:
They revolted when they were taxed unfairly.