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components (coordinated elements), the more directly and explicitly it functions as a factor of sentence
semicompounding.
For instance, coordinated subjects connected asyndetically in an enumerative sequence or forming a plain
copulative syndetic string can hardly be taken as constituting so many separately identified predicative lines
with the verbal constituent of the sentence. As different from this, two subject-groups connected adversatively
or an-tithetically are more "live" in their separate relation to the predicative centre; the derivative reference of
such a sentence to the two source predicative constructions receives some substantiality. E.g.:
There was nothing else, only her face in front of me. > There was nothing else in front of me. + There was
only her face in front of me.
Substantially involved in the expression of semi-compounding is a combination of two subjects relating to
one predicate when the subjects are discontinuously positioned, so that the first starts the utterance, while the
second concludes it with some kind of process-referred introduction. Cf:.
The entrance door stood open, and also the door of the living-room. > The entrance door stood open. + The
door of the living-room stood also open.
However, if we turn our attention to genuine coordinations of predicates (i.e. coordinations of non-repetitive
or otherwise primi-tivizing type), both verbal and nominal, we shall immediately be convinced of each element
of the group presenting its own predicative centre relating to the one subject axis of the sentence, thereby
forming a strictly compounding fusion of the predicative lines expressed. Ibis fact is so trivially clear that it
does not seem to require a special demonstration.
Hence, we will from now on treat the corresponding sentence-patterns with coordinate predicate phrases as
featuring classes of constructions that actually answer the identifying definition of semi-compound sentence; in
our further exposition we will dwell on some structural properties and functional semantics of this important
sentence type so widely represented in the living English speech in all its lingual divisions, which alone
displays an unreservedly clear form of sentential semi-compounding out of the numerous and extremely
diversified patterns of syntactic coordination.
§ 2. The semi-compound sentence of predicate coordination is derived from minimum two base sentences
having identical subjects. By the act of semi-compounding, one of the base sentences in most cases of textual
occurrence becomes the leading clause of complete structure, while the other one is transformed into the
sequential coordinate semi-clause (expansion) referring to the same subject. E.g.:
The soldier was badly wounded. + The soldier stayed in the ranks. > The soldier was badly wounded, but
stayed in the ranks. He tore the photograph in half. + He threw the photograph in the fire. > He tore the
photograph in half and threw it in the fire.
The rare instances contradicting the given rule concern inverted constructions where the intense fusion of
predicates in overlapping round the subject placed in the end position deprives the leading clause of its
unbroken, continuous presentation. Cf.:
Before him lay the road to fame. + The road to fame lured him. > Before him lay and lured him the road to
fame.
In the case of a nominal predicate, the sequential predicative complement can be used in a semi-compound
pattern without its linking part repeated. E.g.:
My manner was matter-of-fact, and casual. The savage must have been asleep or very tired.
The same holds true about coordinated verbids related to a common finite verb in the function of an
auxiliary or otherwise. E.g.:
The tiger was at large and burning with rage. He could not recall the face of the peasant girl or remember
the feel of her.
By the number of bases joined (and predicate phrases representing them), semi-compound sentences may be
two-base (minimal) or multi-base (more than minimal two-base). The coordinated expansion is connected with
the leading part either syndetically or asyndetically.
The syndetic formation of the semi-compound sentence expresses, first, copulative connection of events;
then contrast, either comparative or adversative; furthermore, disjunction (alternation), consequence, limitation,
elucidation. The conjunctive elements effecting this syndetic semi-compounding of sentences are both pure
conjunctions and also words of adverbial nature. The pure conjunction and, the same as with pleni-compound
sentences, expresses the unmarked semantic type of semi-compounding; the rest of the connectors render
various marked types of it. The pure conjunctions used for semi-compounding, besides the copulative and, are