Compound Sentences and Coordinating Conjunctions

In Portuguese, compound sentences are formed by combining two or more simple sentences using coordinating conjunctions. This allows you to build coherent and complex thoughts in your writing and speech. In this guide, we will learn how to create compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions in Portuguese.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect two or more elements of equal grammatical importance. In the case of compound sentences, they connect two or more simple sentences. Here are some commonly used coordinating conjunctions in Portuguese:

• e (and) - used to add information or elements.
• ou (or) - used to present alternative options or choices.
• mas (but) - used to express contrast or contradiction.
• porém (however) - similar to "but," it introduces a contrasting thought.
• logo (therefore) - used to indicate cause and effect.
• pois (for) - used to provide a reason or explanation.

Structure of Compound Sentences

To form a compound sentence, you need to combine two or more simple sentences and connect them with a coordinating conjunction. Here's the basic structure:

Simple Sentence + Coordinating Conjunction + Simple Sentence

Let's see some examples:

• O sol está brilhando. (The sun is shining.)
• Está calor. (It is hot.)

To combine these two simple sentences, we can use the coordinating conjunction "e" (and):

O sol está brilhando e está calor. (The sun is shining and it's hot.)

Here's another example:

• Ela estudou para a prova. (She studied for the exam.)
• Ela ficou nervosa. (She got nervous.)

To combine these two simple sentences, we can use the coordinating conjunction "mas" (but):

Ela estudou para a prova mas ficou nervosa. (She studied for the exam but got nervous.)

Tips for Using Coordinating Conjunctions

• Remember to place a comma before the coordinating conjunction when connecting two independent clauses. For example: Eu vou ao supermercado, e você vai ao banco. (I'm going to the supermarket, and you're going to the bank.)
• Be careful not to confuse coordinating conjunctions with subordinating conjunctions, as subordinating conjunctions are used to connect dependent clauses to main clauses.
• Practice using different coordinating conjunctions to express different relationships between the ideas in your compound sentences.

Conclusion

By combining simple sentences using coordinating conjunctions, you can create compound sentences in Portuguese to express more complex thoughts. Remember to choose the appropriate coordinating conjunction based on the relationship between the ideas you want to connect. Practice constructing compound sentences to improve your Portuguese writing and speech skills.