Compound sentences join several simple sentences.
Compound sentences are expressions that involve the union of several sentences through coordinating links or by a juxtaposition pause (which is a union without a link of contiguous equifunctional elements).
A sentence , in grammar , is a word or a set of words that has syntactic autonomy. A sentence, therefore, is a unit that can express a complete grammatical meaning.
There are various types of classification of sentences according to their characteristics. According to the presence of verbal nuclei, a distinction can be made between simple, complex or compound sentences .
Classification according to the verbal nucleus
Simple sentences have a single verbal nucleus ; in other words, they have a single predicate . That is why they are the most used sentences in childhood and by people who are in the middle of the language learning process. For example: “Martín bought a book” , “Julieta kicked the ball” , “Juan José tore the notebook” .
Complex sentences , on the other hand, are simple sentences with a main verbal nucleus and at least one subordinate nucleus.
Compound sentences, as we already indicated, are formed by joining two or more simple sentences.
A compound sentence can be formed with coordinating links or through a juxtaposition pause.
Coordinated compound sentences
Sentences composed by coordination present phrases united under conditions of equality. For example: “The boys and girls play soccer,” “The elderly sing and dance.” It should be noted that these phrases can be linked by means of links or without them.
All sentences that create a compound sentence have the main hallmark that they can function on their own in an absolutely autonomous way. In addition to this, we have to point out that coordinated compound sentences can be of various types depending on the link established between the phrases that make them up:
- Coordinated adversative sentences: These are those that make use of connections such as but , however or although , among others. And they are also the ones that express opposition. An example would be the phrase: “I think it's a good idea, however now is not the time to carry it out.”
- Consecutive coordinated sentences: A cause and consequence relationship is the one established between the simple sentences that compose them and are joined by the following links: then , so , so that ... In this case an example could be: “Ana rejected the proposal so we will choose another person to carry out the activity.”
- Coordinated copulative sentences: They are identified because they manifest addition and because they can make use of three links: e , y , nor . As an example of this type of compound sentences we would have the following: “The child ran and jumped for joy.”
- Coordinated disjunctive sentences : These can be defined as those that establish the need for an election and to do so use links such as the following: o , u . As an example to understand the operation of the aforementioned, we could establish the following: “At this time there is no other option, do you come or stay?” .
Other types
Sentences composed of subordination , on the other hand, present two or more phrases at a different syntactic level: “The gentle ocean breeze.”
Finally, the juxtaposed compound sentences appear linked without connections: “Many laugh, some cry, the rest just observe.”