Which type of sentence typically connects two ideas with a conjunction?

A compound sentence is characterized by the connection of two independent clauses using a conjunction, such as "and," "but," or "or." This structure allows for the blending of two related ideas into a single sentence, creating a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between them. For example, "I wanted to play outside, but it started to rain" clearly shows a connection between the desire to play and the hindrance presented by the weather.

In contrast, a simple sentence consists of only one independent clause that conveys a single idea without any conjunctions to connect multiple clauses. A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which adds layers of meaning but does not simply connect two complete ideas. An affirmative sentence is a broader category that refers to any statement that expresses a positive idea and does not specifically pertain to the connection of ideas with conjunctions.

Thus, the key defining feature of a compound sentence is its use of conjunctions to join two independent thoughts, making it the correct answer for this question.