What are “coordinating conjunctions”?: Difference between revisions

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Coordinating conjunctions, or coordinators, are a subset of conjunctions used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses. They always appear in the middle of a sentence.[1]
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==
==List of Words==
'''for''' : used for explanations
'''for/because/as''' : used for explanations
    '''Ex.''' "I was late '''for''' I had no ride."


'''and''' : used to join non-contrasting items or ideas
'''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
'''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
'''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
'''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
'''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
'''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")
(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>


==Usage==
==Usage==
Coordinating conjunctions joining individual words:
*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual words''':
'''Example'''
    "I'm going home early. I do not have enough money."
    becomes
    "I'm going home early, for I do not have enough money."
 
 


    '''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''':


Both clauses above are,
    '''Ex.''' "We could drive there. We could fly there."
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.:
          becomes
        "We could drive or fly there."


: I ate lunch and dinner.
*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual clauses''':


Both nouns, “lunch” and “dinner,” are weighted equally in the sentence, so a coordinating conjunction is called for.
    '''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."


Remember all coordinating conjunctions by the following mnemonic device: “FANBOYS”: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.
==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>


[[Composition FAQ]]
==References==
[[Category:Composition|Conjunctions]]
<references />
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