Li: Chinese Grammar
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Chapter 25. Sentence Patterns II： Compound Sentences
Compound sentences (复句 fùjù) → clauses (分句 fēnjù) → main clauses (主句 zhŭjù) → subordinate
clause (从句 chóngjù) → 25.1 Coordinate compound sentences (并列复句 bìngliè fùjù) → 25.2 Successive
compound sentences (顺承复句 shùnchéng fùjù) → 25.3 Explanatory compound sentences (解说复句
jiěshuō fùjù) → 25.4 Alternative compound sentences (选择复句 xuǎnzé fùjù) → 25.5 Incremental
compound sentences (递进复句 dìjìn fùjù) → 25.6 Adversative compound sentences (转折复句 zhuǎnzhé
fùjù) → 25.7 Conditional compound sentences (条件复句 tiáojiàn fùjù) → 25.8 Assumptive compound
sentences (假设复句 jiǎshè fùjù) → 25.9 Causative compound sentences (因果复句 yīnguǒ fùjù) → 25.10
Purposive compound sentences (目的复句 mùdì fùjù) → 25.11 Complex compound sentences (多重复句
duōchóng fùjù) → 25.12 Condensed compound sentences (紧缩复句 jǐnsuō fùjù)
Compound sentences (复句 fùjù) are composed of two or more clauses (分句 fēnjù) and convey more complex
meanings than single sentences do. Most compound sentences have two clauses, which form different
relationships. If two clauses are of the same importance, they both are main clauses (主句 zhŭjù). If one clause
is subordinate to the other, it is called a subordinate clause (从句 chóngjù). Conjunctions and certain adverbs
are frequently used to indicate their different relationships.
25.1 Coordinate compound sentences (并列复句 bìngliè fùjù) are composed of two main clauses, which are
juxtaposed and state related things or related aspects of one thing.
25.1.1 不是…, 而是… (búshì…, érshì…; to be not…, but…)
a. 她不是画家，而是作家。
She's not a painter but a writer.
25.1.2 而 (ér； while, and)
a. 你应该转车去北京， 而不应该在郑州停留。
You should change trains to Beijing, and should not stay at Zhengzhou.
25.1.3 还 (hái, also)
a. 她是个摄影家，还是个作家。
She's a photographer and also a writer.
25.1.4 既 …, 也… (jì…, yě…; both…and…)
a. 我既没有去过美国，也没有去过加拿大。
I've never been to the United States and Canada.
25.1.5 既…, 又… (jì…, yòu…; both…and…)
a. 我丈夫既不吃肉，又不吃奶酪。
My husband eats neither meat nor cheese.
25.1.6 是…, 不是… (shì…, búshì…; to be…, but not…)
a. 食物是在那家餐馆买的，不是他们自己做的。
The food was bought at that restaurant, but not made by them.
25.1.7 同时 (tóngshí, at the same time, simultaneously)
a. 孩子们在做作业，同时在听音乐。
The children are doing homework and at the same time listening to the music.
(The following is omitted.)