Use of Subordinating and Coordinating Conjunctions in Complex and Compound Sentences

In Russian, the use of conjunctions is essential for creating complex and compound sentences. These sentences enable speakers to express detailed ideas, relationships between actions, cause-and-effect relationships, and contrasts. In this article, we will explore how subordinating and coordinating conjunctions are used in complex and compound sentences.
1. Compound Sentences: Coordinating Conjunctions
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses (main clauses) joined by coordinating conjunctions. The clauses in compound sentences can stand alone as complete thoughts, but they are linked to show a relationship between them. Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect these clauses.
Structure of a Compound Sentence:
- Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent Clause
Examples of Compound Sentences:
- Я купил хлеб, и она купила молоко. (I bought bread, and she bought milk.)
- Он не пришел на работу, но он отправил сообщение. (He didn’t come to work, but he sent a message.)
- Я хочу изучать русский, а ты? (I want to study Russian, and you?)
The coordinating conjunctions in these examples are и (and), но (but), and а (and, but).
2. Complex Sentences: Subordinating Conjunctions
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on the independent clause for meaning. Subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce the dependent clause, and they indicate the relationship between the two clauses.
Structure of a Complex Sentence:
- Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause
Examples of Complex Sentences:
- Я остался дома, потому что шел дождь. (I stayed home because it was raining.)
- Subordinating conjunction: потому что (because)
- Мы поехали в парк, когда прекратился дождь. (We went to the park when the rain stopped.)
- Subordinating conjunction: когда (when)
- Если ты хочешь, я могу помочь. (If you want, I can help.)
- Subordinating conjunction: если (if)
In these sentences, the dependent clauses потому что шел дождь (because it was raining), когда прекратился дождь (when the rain stopped), and если ты хочешь (if you want) are introduced by subordinating conjunctions that show cause, time, and condition, respectively.
3. Combining Complex and Compound Sentences
In Russian, it is possible to combine both complex and compound sentences into one sentence to express more nuanced ideas or relationships. By using both subordinating and coordinating conjunctions, we can connect multiple clauses in a sentence.
Structure of a Combined Sentence:
- Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + (Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause)
Examples of Combined Sentences:
- Я хотел пойти в кино, но у меня не было времени, потому что я работал. (I wanted to go to the cinema, but I didn’t have time because I was working.)
- Coordinating conjunction: но (but)
- Subordinating conjunction: потому что (because)
- Он купил подарок, а она выбрала открытку, когда они пошли в магазин. (He bought a gift, and she picked a card when they went to the store.)
- Coordinating conjunction: а (and)
- Subordinating conjunction: когда (when)
- Я не знаю, что ты думаешь, но я уверен, что ты прав. (I don’t know what you think, but I’m sure you’re right.)
- Coordinating conjunction: но (but)
- Subordinating conjunction: что (what)
These combined sentences blend the use of coordinating conjunctions, which connect independent clauses, with subordinating conjunctions that link dependent clauses, allowing for more complex expressions.
4. Word Order in Complex and Compound Sentences
In Russian, the word order in complex and compound sentences follows the same basic rules as simple sentences, but with some variations. The main clause typically comes first, followed by the subordinate clause, but the order can vary depending on the emphasis and structure of the sentence.
Examples of Word Order:
- Я купил книгу, когда он позвонил. (I bought a book when he called.)
- Here, the main clause Я купил книгу comes first, followed by the subordinate clause когда он позвонил.
- Когда он позвонил, я купил книгу. (When he called, I bought a book.)
- In this case, the subordinate clause Когда он позвонил comes at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the main clause я купил книгу.
While the word order in Russian is generally flexible, the most common arrangement is to place the main clause first, followed by the subordinate clause.
5. Punctuation in Complex and Compound Sentences
In Russian, punctuation marks such as commas are used to separate clauses in complex and compound sentences. The main rule is that a comma is used to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause, but only when the subordinate clause comes first.
Examples of Punctuation:
- Я остался дома, потому что был дождь. (I stayed home because it was raining.)
- Comma is placed between the main clause and the dependent clause.
- Если ты хочешь, я помогу тебе. (If you want, I will help you.)
- The comma separates the condition (dependent clause) from the main action (independent clause).
When both clauses are independent (compound sentences), a comma is used before the coordinating conjunction:
- Я купил хлеб, и она купила молоко. (I bought bread, and she bought milk.)
However, no comma is needed when the conjunction и (and) connects two clauses that are not long or complicated:
- Он учил русский и французский. (He studied Russian and French.)
6. Conclusion
Mastering the use of subordinating and coordinating conjunctions is essential for forming complex and compound sentences in Russian. By combining these conjunctions, you can create more detailed and nuanced expressions, showing relationships such as time, reason, condition, purpose, and contrast between ideas. Understanding how to use conjunctions correctly will help you create sentences that are both grammatically correct and fluid, enabling you to express yourself more clearly in Russian.