Language/Iranian-persian/Grammar/Lesson-22:-Complex-sentences-and-conjunctions

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Iranian Persian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Lesson 22: Complex sentences and conjunctions

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to form complex sentences in Iranian Persian. Complex sentences are sentences that contain one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses are dependent on the main clause and cannot stand alone as complete sentences. We will also learn about subordinating conjunctions, which are words that connect the main clause to the subordinate clause. Additionally, we will discuss the correct use of punctuation in complex sentences to ensure clarity and proper sentence structure.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce subordinate clauses in complex sentences. They connect the subordinate clause to the main clause and indicate the relationship between the two clauses. Some common subordinating conjunctions in Iranian Persian include:

• "که" (ke) - that
• "که" (ke) - who, whom, which
• "از آنجا که" (az anjā ke) - because, since
• "قبل از آنکه" (ghabl az anke) - before
• "بعد از آنکه" (ba'd az anke) - after
• "هنگامی که" (hangāmi ke) - when
• "مگر اینکه" (magar inke) - unless
• "تا آنجا که" (tā anjā ke) - until
• "چون" (chon) - when, as
• "اگرچه" (agar-che) - although, even though

Let's look at some examples to understand how these subordinating conjunctions are used:

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English Translation
من می‌دانم که او خسته است.	Man midānam ke u khaste ast.	I know that he is tired.
دختری را دیدم که کتاب می‌خواند.	Dokhtari rā didam ke ketāb mikhanad.	I saw a girl who was reading a book.
از آنجا که خوشحالم، می‌خواهم برقرار بمانم.	Az anjā ke khoshhālam, mikhwāham barqarār bemanam.	Because I am happy, I want to stay.
قبل از آنکه برود، باید کار خود را تمام کند.	Ghabl az anke beravad, bāyad kār-e khod rā tamām konad.	Before he leaves, he must finish his work.
بعد از آنکه باران شروع شد، ما در خانه ماندیم.	Ba'd az anke bārān shoroo shod, mā dar khāne māndim.	After the rain started, we stayed at home.
هنگامی که من خوابیده بودم، تلفن زنگ زد.	Hangāmi ke man khābidé budam, telefon zang zad.	When I was asleep, the phone rang.
مگر اینکه تمرین کنید، بهتر نخواهید شد.	Magar inke tamrin konid, behtar nakhwāhid shod.	Unless you practice, you will not improve.
تا آنجا که من می‌دانم، او هنوز در خانه است.	Tā anjā ke man midānam, u hanuz dar khāne ast.	As far as I know, he is still at home.
چون فرصت داریم، به سینما می‌رویم.	Chon farsad dārim, be sinemā miravim.	Since we have time, we are going to the cinema.
اگرچه آب‌وهوا بارانی است، ما می‌رویم.	Agar-che āb-o-havā bārāni ast, mā miravim.	Although the weather is rainy, we are going.

Punctuation in Complex Sentences

When forming complex sentences, it is important to use the correct punctuation to ensure clarity and proper sentence structure. Here are some guidelines for using punctuation in Iranian Persian complex sentences:

1. Use a comma before the subordinating conjunction when the subordinate clause comes before the main clause:

  - "زمانی که می‌خوابیدم، تلفن زنگ زد." (Zamāni ke mikhwābidam, telefon zang zad.) - When I was sleeping, the phone rang.

2. Do not use a comma when the main clause comes before the subordinate clause:

  - "من می‌دانم که او خسته است." (Man midānam ke u khaste ast.) - I know that he is tired.

3. Use a comma to separate items in a list within the subordinate clause:

  - "من یک ماشین قدیمی دارم که سیاه، کثیف، و کوچک است." (Man yek māshin-e qadimi dāram ke siyāh, khasif, va kuchak ast.) - I have an old car that is black, dirty, and small.

4. Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction:

  - "من دوست دارم برای تعطیلات به کوهستان بروم، اما نمی‌توانم زمان بگیرم." (Man dust dāram barāye ta'tilāt be kuhestān beravam, ammā nemitavānam zamān begiram.) - I would like to go to the mountains for vacation, but I can't take time off.

5. Use a period (full stop) to separate two independent clauses that are not closely related:

  - "من به دانشگاه می‌روم. او به خانه می‌ماند." (Man be dāneshgāh miravam. U be khāne mānd.) - I am going to the university. He is staying at home.

Let's look at some more examples to understand the correct use of punctuation in complex sentences:

Iranian Persian	Pronunciation	English Translation
زمانی که من خوابیده بودم، تلفن زنگ زد. من بیدار شدم و به تلفن پاسخ دادم.	Zamāni ke man khābidé budam, telefon zang zad. Man bidār shodam va be telefon pāsox dādam.	When I was asleep, the phone rang. I woke up and answered the phone.
من دوست دارم برای تعطیلات به کوهستان بروم، اما نمی‌توانم زمان بگیرم.	Man dust dāram barāye ta'tilāt be kuhestān beravam, ammā nemitavānam zamān begiram.	I would like to go to the mountains for vacation, but I can't take time off.
ما به خانه رفتیم و شام خوردیم. سپس تلویزیون دیدیم.	Mā be khāne raftim va shām khoridim. Sepas televizion didim.	We went home and had dinner. Then we watched TV.

Summary

In this lesson, we learned how to form complex sentences in Iranian Persian using subordinating conjunctions and correct punctuation. Complex sentences are formed by combining a main clause with one or more subordinate clauses using subordinating conjunctions. We also discussed the correct use of punctuation in complex sentences to ensure clarity and proper sentence structure. By mastering complex sentences, you will be able to express more complex ideas and thoughts in Persian.

In the next lesson, we will continue to expand our knowledge of Persian grammar by learning about noun clauses and their usage in sentences.

Table of Contents - Iranian Persian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Unit 1: Basic greetings and introductions

• Lesson 1: Saying "Hello" and "Goodbye"
• Lesson 2: Introducing yourself and others

  ---

Unit 2: Sentence structure and basic verb conjugation

• Lesson 3: Word order in Persian sentences
• Lesson 4: Present tense conjugation of the verb "to be"
• Lesson 5: Present tense conjugation of regular verbs

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Unit 3: Talking about daily routines

• Lesson 6: Talking about your daily routine
• Lesson 7: Talking about others' daily routines

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Unit 4: Object pronouns and possessive pronouns

• Lesson 8: Direct object pronouns
• Lesson 9: Possessive pronouns

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Unit 5: Persian culture and customs

• Lesson 10: Persian etiquette and hospitality
• Lesson 11: Persian holidays and celebrations

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Unit 6: Food and drink

• Lesson 12: Ordering food and drink
• Lesson 13: Talking about food and drink

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Unit 7: Past tense and regular verbs conjugation

• Lesson 14: Past tense of regular verbs
• Lesson 15: Word order in past tense sentences

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Unit 8: Persian literature and arts

• Lesson 16: Persian poetry and classical literature
• Lesson 17: Persian cinema and music

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Unit 9: Travel and transportation

• Lesson 18: Means of transportation
• Lesson 19: Travel preparations and bookings

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Unit 10: Imperative mood, infinitives and complex sentences

• Lesson 20: Using the imperative mood
• Lesson 21: Using infinitives
• Lesson 22: Complex sentences and conjunctions

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Unit 11: Persian history and geography

• Lesson 23: Persian civilization and ancient history
• Lesson 24: Modern history and contemporary issues

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Unit 12: Leisure and entertainment

• Lesson 25: Sports and active recreation
• Lesson 26: Entertainment and leisure activities

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Prepositions
• Comaratives and Superlatives
• Pronouns
• Gender
• Adjectives
• How to Use be
• Lesson 5: Present tense conjugation of regular verbs
• Common Mistakes
• Feasible

◀️ Lesson 21: Using infinitives — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Lesson 23: Persian civilization and ancient history ▶️