Language/Malayalam/Grammar/Compound-Sentences

◀️ Past Tense Verbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Noun Cases ▶️

Malayalam → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Future and Past Tenses → Compound Sentences

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on constructing compound sentences in Malayalam! In this lesson, we will learn how to connect two or more sentences using conjunctions and other connectors. Compound sentences are an important aspect of Malayalam grammar, as they allow us to express complex ideas and thoughts. By mastering compound sentences, you will be able to communicate more effectively in Malayalam and express yourself with precision.

Throughout this lesson, we will explore the different types of conjunctions and connectors used in Malayalam. We will learn how to use them to join independent clauses and create compound sentences. Additionally, we will discuss the rules and guidelines for constructing compound sentences, and provide plenty of examples to illustrate each concept.

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of compound sentences in Malayalam and be able to use them confidently in your conversations and writing. So let's get started!

Types of Conjunctions and Connectors

In Malayalam, there are several types of conjunctions and connectors that can be used to join two or more sentences. These include coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. Let's take a closer look at each type and explore their usage in compound sentences.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two independent clauses of equal importance. They are often used to connect sentences that are related in meaning or express contrasting ideas. In Malayalam, the most common coordinating conjunctions are:

• "അതുപോലെ" (athupole) - meaning "and"
• "അല്ലെങ്കിൽ" (alleṅkil) - meaning "or"
• "അല്ലാതെ" (allāthe) - meaning "nor"
• "അന്ന്" (annu) - meaning "but"
• "അഥവാ" (athavā) - meaning "or"

Let's look at some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
എനിക്ക് പഠനം ഇഷ്ടമാണ് അതുപോലെ എനിക്ക് ഗാനം പ്രാണയം ആണ്.	Enikkŭ pạṭhanam iṣṭamāṇu athupole enikkŭ gānaṁ prāṇayam āṇŭ.	I love studying and I love singing.
നാലുപേരും ബഹുമാനം പറയുന്നുണ്ട്: നീ അണ്ണനോ അപ്പൻമാരോ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ സഹോദരനോ?	Nālupēruṁ bahumānam paṟayuṇṇuṇṭu: nī aṇṇanō appanmārō, alleṅkil sahōdaranō?	Four people are speaking: Are you the brother or the father, or the brother-in-law?

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to join an independent clause with a dependent clause. The dependent clause relies on the independent clause for its meaning. In Malayalam, there are several subordinating conjunctions that are commonly used, such as:

• "എന്നാൽ" (ennaal) - meaning "but"
• "എന്നു" (ennu) - meaning "that"
• "എന്നും" (ennuṁ) - meaning "although"
• "പക്ഷേ" (pakṣē) - meaning "however"

Let's see some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
ഞാൻ പഠിക്കുന്നു എന്നാൽ എനിക്ക് സമയം അനുവദിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്.	Ñān paṭhikkunnu ennaal enikkŭ samayam anuvadikkunnuṇṭu.	I study, but I still have time.
അവർ വിളിക്കുന്നു എന്നു ഞാൻ വിചാരിക്കുന്നു.	Avar viḷikkunnu ennu ñān vicārikunnu.	They are calling, that's what I'm thinking.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join two balanced clauses. They are used to express a relationship between the two clauses. In Malayalam, some common correlative conjunctions include:

• "ഏതുവേണ്ടാം...അതുവേണ്ടാം" (ētuveṇṭāṁ...athuveṇṭāṁ) - meaning "whether...or"
• "അതുപോലെ...അതുപോലെ" (athupōle...athupōle) - meaning "as...as"
• "ഇതുപോലെ...അതുപോലെ" (itupōle...athupōle) - meaning "neither...nor"

Here are a few examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
ഞാൻ എന്തുവേണ്ടാം ചെയ്യാം അതുവേണ്ടാം നിനക്ക് ഇഷ്ടമാണ്: കാഴ്ച പാടുവാൻ അല്ലെങ്കിൽ പാടുവാൻ എനിക്ക് ഇഷ്ടമാണ്?	Ñān ētuveṇṭāṁ ceyyāṁ athuveṇṭāṁ ninakku iṣṭamāṇu: kāḻca pāṭuvān alleṅkil pāṭuvān enikkŭ iṣṭamāṇu?	I can do whatever you like: Do you prefer to watch or sing?
അത് ഇതുപോലെ മേൽക്കുറവാണ് അതുപോലെ വലിയൊരു പ്രശ്നമാണ്.	Athŭ itupōle mēlkkuraṇu athupōle valiyōru praśnamāṇu.	It is neither small like this nor a big problem like that.

Rules for Constructing Compound Sentences

Now that we've explored the different types of conjunctions and connectors, let's dive into the rules for constructing compound sentences in Malayalam. Follow these guidelines to ensure that your compound sentences are grammatically correct and effectively convey your intended meaning.

Rule 1: Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction

When using a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses, it is important to use a comma before the conjunction. This helps to separate the two clauses and make the sentence easier to read. Here's an example:

• ഞാൻ പഠിക്കുന്നു, എനിക്ക് സമയം അനുവദിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. (Ñān paṭhikkunnu, enikkŭ samayam anuvadikkunnuṇṭu.) - I study, but I still have time.

Rule 2: Use a comma after introductory words or phrases

If a sentence begins with an introductory word or phrase, such as "അതുപോലെ" (athupole) meaning "as well as" or "എന്നാൽ" (ennaal) meaning "but", it is necessary to use a comma after the introductory word or phrase. This helps to set off the introductory element from the rest of the sentence. For example:

• അതുപോലെ, ഞാൻ പഠിക്കുന്നു. (Athupole, ñān paṭhikkunnu.) - As well as, I study.

Rule 3: Use the appropriate conjunction or connector

Choose the appropriate conjunction or connector based on the relationship between the two clauses. Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect independent clauses of equal importance, while subordinating conjunctions are used to join an independent clause with a dependent clause. Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join balanced clauses.

Rule 4: Maintain subject-verb agreement

Ensure that the subject and verb in each clause agree in terms of number and person. This helps to maintain clarity and coherence in your compound sentences. For example:

• അവർ വിളിക്കുന്നു, ഞാൻ വിചാരിക്കുന്നു. (Avar viḷikkunnu, ñān vicārikunnu.) - They are calling, I'm thinking.

Cultural Insights

The usage of compound sentences in Malayalam is influenced by the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. In different parts of Kerala, there may be variations in the usage and understanding of compound sentences. For example, in certain dialects of Malayalam, the choice of conjunctions and connectors may differ slightly.

Furthermore, the historical and cultural influences on the Malayalam language have shaped its grammar and syntax. The Dravidian and Sanskrit influences on Malayalam have contributed to its unique structure and the use of conjunctions and connectors. Studying compound sentences in Malayalam not only helps you understand the language but also provides insights into the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have learned about compound sentences in Malayalam, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce what you have learned. Try to construct compound sentences using the given prompts, and then compare your sentences with the provided solutions.

Exercise 1: Coordinating Conjunctions

Use the coordinating conjunctions provided to join the following pairs of sentences and create compound sentences.

1. She sings well. She dances gracefully. 2. I like tea. I like coffee. 3. He is not tall. He is not short. 4. We can go to the park. We can go to the beach. 5. They are friends. They are siblings.

Solution: 1. അവൾ നന്നായി ഗാനം പാടുകയും, അവൾ പ്രണയം ചെയ്യുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. (Aval nannāyi gānaṁ pāṭukayum, aval praṇayam ceyyukayum ceyyunnu.) 2. ഞാൻ ചായ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നു, ഞാൻ കോഫി ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നു. (Ñān cāya iṣṭappeṭuṇṇu, ñān kōphi iṣṭappeṭuṇṇu.) 3. അവൻ ഉയർന്നിട്ടില്ല, അവൻ കുറഞ്ഞിട്ടില്ല. (Avaṇ uyarnnitilla, avaṇ kuṟaññitilla.) 4. ഞാൻ പാർക്കിലേക്ക് പോവാം, ഞാൻ കടലിലേക്ക് പോവാം. (Ñān pārkkillēkkŭ pōvāṁ, ñān kaṭalillēkkŭ pōvāṁ.) 5. അവർ സൗഹൃദം ഉണ്ട്, അവർ സഹോദരൻമാരും ഉണ്ട്. (Avar sauhṛdaṁ uṇṭŭ, avar sahōdaranmarum uṇṭŭ.)

Exercise 2: Subordinating Conjunctions

Use the subordinating conjunctions provided to join the following pairs of sentences and create compound sentences.

1. I study hard. I want to pass the exam. 2. She is tired. She wants to sleep. 3. They are rich. They are not happy. 4. He goes to the gym. He wants to stay fit. 5. We enjoy playing football. We don't enjoy watching cricket.

Solution: 1. ഞാൻ കഠിനമായി പഠിക്കുന്നു എന്നു ഞാൻ പരീക്ഷ പാസാക്കാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു. (Ñān kaṭhinamāyi paṭhikkunnu ennu ñān parīkṣa pāsākkān āgrahikkunnu.) 2. അവൾ ക്ലീനം ആയിരിക്കുന്നു എന്നു അവൾ ഉറങ്ങാനും ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു. (Aval klīnaṁ āyirikkunnu ennu aval uṟaṅgānŭm āgrahikkunnu.) 3. അവർ അമിതം സമ്പന്നരാണ് എന്നു അവർ സന്തുഷ്ടരല്ല. (Avar amitaṁ sampannarāṇu ennu avar santuṣṭaralla.) 4. അവൻ ജിം പോകുന്നു എന്നു അവൻ ആരോഗ്യം നിലനിൽക്കാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു. (Avaṇ jiṁ pōkunnu ennu avaṇ ārōgyaṁ nilanilkān āgrahikkunnu.) 5. ഞാൻ ഫുട്ബോൾ കളിക്കാൻ ആസ്വദിക്കുന്നു പക്ഷേ ഞാൻ ക്രിക്കറ്റ് കാണുകയില്ല. (Ñān phuṭbōl kaḷikkān āsvadikkunnu pakṣē ñān krikkaṟṭ kāṇukayilla.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to construct compound sentences in Malayalam. By using coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions, you can connect independent and dependent clauses to express complex ideas and thoughts. Remember to follow the rules for constructing compound sentences and maintain subject-verb agreement.

Continue practicing and incorporating compound sentences into your conversations and writing to enhance your proficiency in Malayalam. In the next lesson, we will explore the usage of noun cases in Malayalam sentences. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Malayalam Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Malayalam Script

• Basic Letters
• Conjunct Consonants
• Vowel Markers
• Syllable Structure

  ---

Everyday Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Asking for Directions
• Food and Drink
• Numbers and Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject Pronouns
• Word Order
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Present Tense Verbs

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing People
• Datings
• Work and Professions

  ---

Kerala Culture and Traditions

• The Land of Kerala
• Festivals of Kerala
• Arts and Performances
• Cuisine and Food Traditions

  ---

Future and Past Tenses

• Future Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Compound Sentences
• Noun Cases

  ---

Travel and Accommodation

• Booking a Hotel
• Means of Transport
• Tourist Attractions
• Emergencies

  ---

Malayalam Cinema and Literature

• Golden Era of Malayalam Cinema
• Famous Malayalam Writers and Works
• Malayalam Music

  ---

Advanced Sentence Structures

• Passive Voice
• Conditional Sentences
• Direct and Indirect Speech
• Participles and Infinitives

  ---

Technology and Social Media

• Using Social Media
• Emoticons and Expressions
• Technology and Gadgets
• E-commerce and Banking

Other Lessons

• Subject Pronouns
• How to Use Be
• Adjectives
• Past Tense Verbs
• Negation
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Give your Opinion
• Future Tense
• Syllable Structure
• Direct and Indirect Speech

◀️ Past Tense Verbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Noun Cases ▶️