Mastering Compound Sentences and Clause Structures

Understanding Compound Sentences

Depending on the relationship established between the various propositions of a complex sentence, they come in two types:

• Coordinated propositions: They maintain an equal relationship with each other because none is more important than the other.
• Subordinate clauses: These maintain a relationship of semantic and syntactic dependency.

Types of Coordinated Sentences

Depending on the type of nexus that unites them, there are:

• Coordinated copulative propositions: These represent a union or sum among the various propositions. Common conjunctions include and and or.
• Coordinated disjunctive propositions: These present several options from which you must choose one. They are joined by conjunctions such as or, or conjunctive phrases like either/or.
• Adversative coordinated propositions: These express a contrast or opposition to the first part of the sentence. The second proposition modifies or opposes the previous one. Often, they use conjunctions like but, however, although, and though.
• Coordinated-explanatory propositions: The second sentence adds an explanation to what is said in the first. They tend to be united by phrases like that is or in other words.

Substantive Subordinate Clauses

These are recognized as equivalent to a noun phrase and can be replaced by a pronoun. Such propositions always perform the same functions as a noun phrase in syntax:

• Subject: I love going to the theater / I was surprised that you did not come.
• Direct Object (CD): Ask him how he came.
• Noun Complement (CN): I still have hopes of a return.
• Adjective Complement (C.Adj): I'm sure it'll pass.
• Verb Complement (CRV): I am very surprised that I knew.
• Attribute: Smoking is dying a little each day.

Sentences Classified by Subject

1. Personal Sentences are those which have a subject, whether it is explicit or elliptical (implied).

• Example 1: Carlos will not come.
• Example 2: (He / She) will not come.

2. Impersonal Sentences do not have a subject.

• a) Impersonal weather: Those that use a weather-related verb. (Ex: It will rain tomorrow).
• b) Impersonal grammaticalized: These are sentences with the verbs to be, have, and do in the 3rd person singular.
• Example 1: It's summer.
• Example 2: It is night.
• Example 3: There are a lot of people.
• Example 4: The sun is shining.

Sentences Classified by Predicate

1. Copulative Sentences are those which use linking verbs like be, stay, and look, accompanied by an attribute (which agrees with the subject in gender and number).

• Example: Adrian is handsome.

2. Predicative Sentences do not use a copula.

• a) Transitive: These carry a Direct Object (CD). (Ex: Marc eats macaroni).
• b) Intransitive: These have no Direct Object. (Ex: The athlete runs).