A simple sentence is the most effective way to deliver one main point. Compound sentences use coordination to connect two ideas of equal importance. The bus was very crowded, so I had to stand all the way. Avoid long series of compound sentences, since they do not show the relative importance of ideas. Because the bus was crowded, I had to stand all the way.
Complex sentences use subordination to show the relative importance of ideas in a sentence.
He arrived before we left. Because she did not hear the alarm, Mary was late, and the bus had already left. Unofficial and external sites are not endorsed by Southeastern Louisiana University.