What's the difference between sino and sino que? Is sino que only if you useuse it with a verb?

Can I use,
Carmen no dice que quiere ir a la fiesta, sino que quiere dormir.

Carmen no est(a) comiendo helado, sino pollo frito.

I put the letter that should have an accent in ()

Thanks

The difference between "sino" and "sino que" has to do with the function in a sentence. "Sino" is used in place of "pero" only if the first clause of the sentence is negative and the second clause is in direct contrast to the first. You might consider the meaning (BUT, on the other hand.....) Here are some examples:

No habla portugués, sino español. = He does not speak Portuguese, but (on the other hand) Spanish.
No llevaba camisa blanca, sino azul. = He was not wearing a white shirt, but (instead) a blue one.
No me gusta estudiar, sino ir al cine. I don't like to study, but (instead/on the other hand) go to the movies.
The comparison is always between two equivalent parts of speech (noun---noun, adjective---adjective, infinitive---infinitive.)

"Sino que..." If the two contrasting verbs are not infinitives, "sino que" is used instead of sino.
No cerró la puerta, sino que la dejó abierta. He dd not shut the door, but (instead/on the other hand) left it open.

In all other cases, "pero" is used.
No llueve, pero va a llover más tarde. = It isn't raining, but it is going to rain later.
Tiene dinero, pero no es feliz. He has money, but he is not happy.

NOTE: "pero" means "but nevertheless" while "sino" means "but on the contrary."

Sra

The word "sino" and the phrase "sino que" are both used to introduce an alternative or contrasting phrase in Spanish. However, there is a distinction in their usage.

1. "Sino" is used when there is a negative statement followed by a contrast. It is generally used without a verb after it. For example:
- Carmen no quiere ir a la fiesta, sino dormir. (Carmen doesn't want to go to the party, but to sleep.)

2. "Sino que" is used when there is a negative statement followed by a contrasting phrase that includes a verb. For example:
- Carmen no dice que quiere ir a la fiesta, sino que quiere dormir. (Carmen doesn't say that she wants to go to the party, but that she wants to sleep.)

Now let's analyze your two sentences:

1. Carmen no dice que quiere ir a la fiesta, sino que quiere dormir.
In this sentence, "sino que" is correctly used because it introduces a verb phrase ("quiere dormir").

2. Carmen no est(a) comiendo helado, sino pollo frito.
This sentence is correct, but it does not illustrate the use of "sino que." Instead, it follows the pattern of using "sino" in a negative statement followed by a contrasting option.

Regarding the accent, "está" should have an accent mark, but "sino" and "sino que" do not require accents. So your sentence should be:
Carmen no está comiendo helado, sino pollo frito.

I hope this clarifies the difference between "sino" and "sino que" and helps you with your sentences!