Coordinated Sentences: Types and Examples
Features of Coordinated Sentences
- They are joined or linked by coordinating conjunctions.
- Each proposition has complete sense.
- The sentences are syntactically independent of one another, though, thanks to the conjunctions, they form a complex sentence.
Types of Coordinated Sentences with Examples
| Class | Meaning | Conjunctions | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copulative | Sum: The meaning of one proposition is added to that of another or others. | and, e (with "i" or "hi", except with the diphthong "hie"), ni (negative propositions), together with, well, in addition to | The baby eats and speaks tirelessly. They do not eat nor stop eating. |
| Disjunctive | Choice or Exclusion: If one proposition is true, the other is false. | or, u (before "o" or "ho") | Are you at home, or are you joining us? |
| Adversative | Opposition: What is said in one statement wholly or partly contradicts what is said in the other. | but, yet, pero (but), however, nevertheless, before, rather, than, otherwise, and so on | I would go with you, but I have a commitment. |
| Distributive | Alternation: Alternating actions are expressed by propositions that are not excluded. | well ... well, now ... now, now ... and, sometimes ... sometimes, one(s) ... other(s), this ... there | Some days they are smiling; others, crying inconsolably. |
| Explanatory | Explanation: One proposition explains the meaning of the other. | this is, i.e., that is (to say) | They are young actresses; that is, they have no experience. |
Comments
- If there are multiple propositions, the copulative conjunction may be omitted in the first propositions and included only between the last two: "Alejandro works, studies, and helps with household chores." "They do not eat, drink, or sleep." The repetition of the conjunction in each sentence is a stylistic device called polysyndeton: "And he studies, and works, and takes care of the house."
- In coordinated disjunctive propositions, the link can be placed before the first proposition for emphasis: "Either take it or leave it."
- Adversative sentences may express total or partial opposition. When there is total incompatibility between the two propositions, one proposition totally excludes the other: "He does not study, but he works." It is partial when it expresses only one restriction: "He studies, but he does not pass." Sentences with the links "but (that)" and "rather" semantically express a statement: "They did not speak during the teacher's explanation but were attentive."
- Except in distributive coordination, the link (conjunction or conjunctive phrase) has only relative value and has no syntactic role. The propositions coordinated by distributive conjunctions join sentence elements that *do* have a correlative syntactic function.
- Explanatory phrases are written between commas.