Read the notes below and the literature on the coordinating conjunctions and do the tasks

Analyses of compound sentences

Compound sentence

Lecture 10: The Compound sentence

SRS – class. Communicative types of sentences.

The composite sentence is a polypredicative construction denoting more than one out-linguistic events or mental phenomena more or less connected with each other. A composite sentence can be represented by clauses in different logical succession. The arrangement of a composite sentence is prompted by the communicative purpose of the speaker. It can have long reasoning, abundant description, overloaded narration with a lot of premises and inferences, foregrounding and backgrounding, parenthetical comments, etc. Joining connectors can be conjunctions, pronouns and adverbs. However, clauses can be joined without a connector. The tenses used in composite sentences are prompted by communicative purpose but they are mainly sequenced according to the English grammar. The number of clauses is also determined by the purpose of speech interaction.

The compound sentence is a composite sentence based on the principle of coordination. The linguist Yofik denies this notion and claims that “what is fallaciously termed the ‘’compound sentence’’ constitutes in reality a sequence of semantically related independent sentences not separated by full stops in writing because of an arbitrary school convention”. (p. 333).

However, traditional grammar differentiates the compound sentences from the complex ones. They contain more than one proposition (thought, judgment, opinion, idea) connected and interdependent or not. The subordinate clauses can be connected by means of connectors (conjunctions) or without them. The relations between them can be denoted by the conjunctions as follows: and, but, or, neither … nor, either … or, for, and the conjunctive adverb as then, yet, so, thus, consequently, nevertheless, however, etc. The conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma: We finally found the gate; however, it had been locked. There can be cited different relations expressed: adverse conditions (but, instead), consequences (so, thus), continuity of an idea (She was tall and slender, and her hair was light chestnut, and her eyes had a dreamy expression – description).

The connecting words are divided into coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs. Coordinating conjunctions are used to join ideas that are of equal importance. The coordinating conjunctions include and, but, yet, or, no, for, so. At times, a semicolon can also be used to combine sentences of equal importance, e.g. In winter the youngsters skate on the pond; in summer they fish along the shore.

Conjunctive adverbs are a group of words used as connectives to combine sentences or ideas of equal importance. They are: likewise, then, moreover, besides, still, however, otherwise, nevertheless, instead, consequently, therefore, hence, thus, furthermore, meanwhile, subsequently. Placement and punctuation of conjunctive adverbs. It can appear in several places within a sentence.

E.g. The feature movie at the Rialto had already started; therefore, we drove across town to the Savoy Movie House.

The feature movie at the Rialto had already started; we therefore drove across town to the Savoy Movie House.

Notice that a semicolon must always be placed between two sentences joined with a conjunctive adverb. When the conjunctive adverb is placed between the two sentences, it is often followed by a comma.

Task 1. Directions: Using the model sentences as a guide, combine the following pairs of sentences into one sentence. Use the coordinating conjunctions or the semicolon shown in parentheses beside the sentence to combine them.

1. David gave away his stamp collection (and)

He got rid of his coins.

David gave away his stamp collection, and got rid of his coins.

2. The grain shipment had to be sent. (or)

There would be much starving in the provinces.

3. The temperature was five degrees below normal in February. (so)

Home heating bills rose by fifteen percent.

4. The night was extremely cold. (;)

Frost covered the window panes.

5. The pond was stocked with trout in April. (for)

The supply of fish was down last year.

6. He has not learned his lines. (yet)

He has not attended any of the rehearsals.

7. The newspaper article challenged the mayor’s policies. (moreover)

It attacked his use of the city’s funds.

8. Jim missed three hockey practices in a row. (consequently)

The coach dropped him from the team.

9. The unemployment rate has been decreasing for months. (however)

More people are unemployed now than since the Great Depression.

10. Try to get home on time. (otherwise)

Your dinner will be cold.

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