Compound Sentences and Coordination

Welcome to the lesson on compound sentences and coordination! In Hungarian, you can join independent clauses to form compound sentences. This allows you to express complex thoughts and ideas more effectively. In this guide, we will explore how to use coordination to combine independent clauses and create grammatically correct compound sentences.

What is Coordination?

Coordination is the process of connecting two or more independent clauses of equal importance in a sentence. It helps to create a logical flow and add variety to your writing or speech.

In Hungarian, coordination is primarily done using coordinating conjunctions or with the help of certain adverbs. These conjunctions and adverbs function as connective elements between the independent clauses.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect two independent clauses and show the relationship between them. Here are the most common coordinating conjunctions in Hungarian:

1. és - and
2. vagy - or
3. de - but
4. majd - then

Examples:

• János tanul, és Péter pihen. - János is studying and Péter is resting.
• A macska fekete, vagy fehér lehet. - The cat can be black or white.
• Szeretem a zenét, de nem szeretek táncolni. - I love music, but I don't like dancing.
• Házi feladatot írunk, majd elmegyünk játszani. - We are doing homework, then we'll go play.

Using Adverbs for Coordination

In addition to coordinating conjunctions, you can also use adverbs to coordinate independent clauses. These adverbs act as connective elements and indicate the relationship between the clauses. Here are some common adverbs used for coordination:

1. azonban - however
2. viszont - on the other hand
3. ugyanakkor - at the same time

Examples:

• Reggel futottam, azonban fáradt voltam. - I ran in the morning; however, I was tired.
• Az idő szép, viszont hideg. - The weather is nice, on the other hand, it's cold.
• A film izgalmas, ugyanakkor elgondolkodtató. - The movie is exciting, at the same time, thought-provoking.

Punctuation in Compound Sentences

When joining independent clauses to form a compound sentence, it's important to use proper punctuation. In Hungarian, you should use a comma (,) before the coordinating conjunction or adverb. This helps to separate the two clauses and improve clarity.

Examples:

• Vasárnap nincs iskola, de van edzés. - There is no school on Sunday, but there is practice.
• Kimentem a boltba, aztán hazamentem. - I went to the store, then I went home.
• Délre jössz, vagy később? - Are you coming by noon or later?

Recap

To create compound sentences in Hungarian, remember these key points:

• Use coordinating conjunctions such as és (and), vagy (or), de (but), or majd (then) to join independent clauses together.
• Alternatively, use adverbs like azonban (however), viszont (on the other hand), or ugyanakkor (at the same time) to coordinate independent clauses.
• Always use a comma (,) before the coordinating conjunction or adverb.

By mastering coordination in compound sentences, you will be able to express your thoughts more effectively and add depth to your Hungarian writing or speech. Keep practicing and incorporating compound sentences into your conversations to cement your understanding of this important grammatical concept.