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 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.