Complex and compound sentences

A compound sentence consists of two or more coordinated clauses. The choice of the terminal tone depends on the degree of their semantic unity. If the non-final sense-group is semantically independent and doesn’t imply continuation, the falling tone is used.

e.g. It was getting dark, and I hurried home.

If the idea is not completed, the low rising tone or falling-rising tone can be used.

e.g. He nodded in agreement, but his eyes glittered with silent contempt.

A complex sentence consists of a principle and one or several subordinate clauses which may precede, follow or break the main clause.

a/ if the principle clause and the following subordinate clause present a single semantic whole, they do not form separate sense-groups.

e.g. You can stay here as long as you want.

b/ If the principle clause implies continuation, it is pronounced with the low-rising tone.

e.g. It doesn’t really matter to me what all of them think.

c/ if both clauses are semantically independent, they are pronounced with the Fall.

e.g. You can stay here if you really want to.

Subordinate clauses, preceding the principle one, form separate sense-groups. They are pronounced with the Low Rise to stress the logical connection with the following sense-group.

e.g. If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong.

The falling tone is also possible, depending on the semantic value of the clause.