***** NOT A TEACHER *****
Hello, Otevia:
The matter of simple vs. compound sentences drives me crazy, too.
I have some information from reputable books that may interest you.
I do NOT dare express any opinions. I will just present the material. Perhaps you or other members will respond with opinions.
1. "The pig got up and slowly walked away." = Simple sentence, says Roberts (fuller identification later).
2. "The pig got up, but it was unable to walk away." = compound sentence, says Roberts.
3. "We fished all day, but (we) didn't catch a thing." = compound sentence, says Alexander.
a. As you know, when Alexander put "we" in parentheses, he is saying that "we" can be omitted, and it is still a compound sentence.
i. In #2, can we then omit "it" without hurting its status as a compound sentence? Just asking.
4. "The hotel was cheap but clean." = simple sentence, says Alexander, because the subject and verb have been omitted.
5. "Does the price include breakfast only, or dinner as well?" = simple, Alexander says. Same reason.
6. Regarding your command, I found this example: "Hand me the hammer, and then help me hold the board." = compound sentence, says Roberts. I dare not comment. You may wish to compare that sentence with your command.
7. "Colonel Cathcart had courage, and he never hesitated to volunteer." = compound sentence, says Hodges.
8. "Colonel Cathcart had courage and never hesitated to volunteer." = simple sentence, says Hodges.
9. "John and Mary enjoyed the performance and applauded wildly." = simple, says Opdycke.
10. "John and Mary enjoyed the performance and they applauded wildly." = compound, says Opdycke.
(By the way, I love #9 and #10 because Opdycke tells us that the compound sentence "distributes the meaning more emphatically.")
James
Sources: 1. Paul Roberts (who taught at Cornell University in the United States), Understanding English (1954).
2. L.G. Alexander, Longman English Grammar (1988).
3. John C. Hodges and Mary E. Whitten, Harbrace College Handbook (1972).
4. John B. Opdycke, Ph.D, Harper's English Grammar (1965).