What are “coordinating conjunctions”?

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Coordinating conjunctions, or coordinators, are a subset of conjunctions used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses.[1] They always appear in the middle of a sentence.[2]

List of Words

for : used for explanations

and : used to join non-contrasting items or ideas

nor : used to join non-contrasting negative ideas

but : used to display contrasts or exceptions

or : used to join alternative items or ideas

yet : used to display contrasts or exceptions

so : used to display consequences

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

Usage

  • Coordinating conjunctions joining individual words:
    Ex. "They fight all the time. They makeup all the time."
        becomes
        "They fight and makeup all the time."
  • Coordinating conjunctions joining individual phrases:
    Ex. "We could drive there. We could fly there."
         becomes
        "We could drive or fly there."
  • Coordinating conjunctions joining 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

Conjunctions : more examples of usage of coordinating and other types of conjunctions.

Grammar and Punctuation: Using Coordinating Conjunctions: rules on how to use punctuation when using coordinating conjunctions.

References

1. ^ "What Are Conjunctions?" Grammar-monster.com. Grammar-Monster, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

2 ^ "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.

  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. http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm