What are “coordinating conjunctions”?: Difference between revisions

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Coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses with the help of a comma. For example:
Coordinating conjunctions, or '''coordinators''', are a subset of conjunctions used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. <ref>"http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/conjunctions.htm What Are Conjunctions?" Grammar-monster.com. Grammar-Monster, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.</ref> They always appear in the middle of a sentence. <ref>"http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/WC/TIPSHEETS_new/TIPSHEET_CompClause_new/Comprehending%20Clauses.pdf Comprehending Clauses." UHCL Writing Center. UHCL Writing Center, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.</ref> Commas are sometimes used to separate clauses or with the final words of sentences.
==List of Words==
'''for/because/as''' : used for explanations
    '''Ex.''' "I was late '''for''' I had no ride."


: I finished dinner, and I walked five miles.
'''and''' : used to join non-contrasting items or ideas
    '''Ex.''' "I can mash potato '''and''' do the twist."


Both clauses above are, essentially, separate sentences that have been joined with the help of a coordinating conjunction, “and,” and a comma. Coordinating conjunctions also help to join two equal parts in a sentence, e.g.:
'''nor''' : used to join non-contrasting negative ideas
    '''Ex.''' "I do not watch baseball, '''nor''' do I play baseball."


: I ate lunch and dinner.
'''but''' : used to display contrasts or exceptions
    '''Ex.''' "I do not play soccer now, '''but''' I used to play as a kid."


Both nouns, “lunch” and “dinner,” are weighted equally in the sentence, so a coordinating conjunction is called for.
'''or''' : used to join alternative items or ideas
    '''Ex.''' "Do you want to take my car, '''or''' should we take yours?"


Remember all coordinating conjunctions by the following mneumonic device: “FANBOYS”: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.
'''yet''' : used to display contrasts or exceptions
    '''Ex.''' "I have heard bad reviews about that movie, '''yet''' I still want to see it."


----
'''so''' : used to display consequences
    '''Ex.''' "We save money every month '''so''' we can go on vacation in November."


[[Composition FAQ]]
(The acronym for remembering the coordinating conjunctions is "FANBOYS") <ref>Simmons, Robin L. "[http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm The Coordinating Conjunction]." Chompchomp.com. Grammar Bytes, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.</ref>
[[Category:Composition|Conjunctions]]
 
==Usage==
*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual words''':
 
    '''Ex.''' "They fight all the time. They makeup all the time."
        becomes
        "They fight and makeup all the time."
 
*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual phrases''':
 
    '''Ex.''' "We could drive there. We could fly there."
          becomes
        "We could drive or fly there."
 
*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual clauses''':
 
    '''Ex.''' "I'm going home early. I do not have enough money."
          becomes
        "I'm going home early, for I do not have enough money."
 
==External Links==
<ul>
<li>[http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm Conjunctions] : more examples of usage of coordinating and other types of conjunctions.</li>
 
<li>[http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CoordConj.html Grammar and Punctuation: Using Coordinating Conjunctions]: rules on how to use punctuation when using coordinating conjunctions.</li>
</ul>
 
==References==
<references />

Latest revision as of 00:36, 22 November 2013

Coordinating conjunctions, or coordinators, are a subset of conjunctions used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. [1] They always appear in the middle of a sentence. [2] Commas are sometimes used to separate clauses or with the final words of sentences.

List of Words

for/because/as : used for explanations 

    Ex. "I was late for I had no ride."

and : used to join non-contrasting items or ideas 

    Ex. "I can mash potato and do the twist."

nor : used to join non-contrasting negative ideas 

    Ex. "I do not watch baseball, nor do I play baseball."

but : used to display contrasts or exceptions 

    Ex. "I do not play soccer now, but I used to play as a kid."

or : used to join alternative items or ideas 

    Ex. "Do you want to take my car, or should we take yours?"

yet : used to display contrasts or exceptions 

    Ex. "I have heard bad reviews about that movie, yet I still want to see it."

so : used to display consequences 

    Ex. "We save money every month so we can go on vacation in November."

(The acronym for remembering the coordinating conjunctions is "FANBOYS") [3]

Usage

  • Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join individual words:
    Ex. "They fight all the time. They makeup all the time."
        becomes
        "They fight and makeup all the time."
  • Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join individual phrases:
    Ex. "We could drive there. We could fly there."
         becomes
        "We could drive or fly there."
  • Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join individual clauses:
    Ex. "I'm going home early. I do not have enough money."
         becomes
        "I'm going home early, for I do not have enough money."

External Links

References

  1. ↑ "http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/conjunctions.htm What Are Conjunctions?" Grammar-monster.com. Grammar-Monster, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
  2. ↑ "http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/WC/TIPSHEETS_new/TIPSHEET_CompClause_new/Comprehending%20Clauses.pdf Comprehending Clauses." UHCL Writing Center. UHCL Writing Center, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
  3. ↑ Simmons, Robin L. "The Coordinating Conjunction." Chompchomp.com. Grammar Bytes, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
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