Conjunctions

COORDINATING AND SUBORDINATING

CONJUNCTION
 Coordinating Conjunctions

 What is a coordinating conjunction?

A coordinating conjunction joins phrases, clauses,
groups of words, and words that share equal importance
and grammatical rank. Their function is to give equal
emphasis to the ideas they connect. The simplest way to
remember the seven types of conjunctions in the English
language is through the acronym FANBOYS.
 How to use coordinating conjunctions
 When using coordinating conjunctions, sometimes called joining
words, it is important to identify what is being connected within a
sentence. Ultimately, coordinating conjunctions connect the
following parts of a sentence:
 Independent Clauses: Contain a subject and a verb and presents
a complete thought; these clauses can stand alone as complete
sentences
 Phrases: Collection of words that behave like a part of speech;
noun phrase, adverbial phrase, etc.
 Words: Connecting two nouns, verbs, or adjectives
 Coordinating conjunctions to join single words
 When a coordinating conjunction joins two or more
individual words, those words should be the same part of
speech: a noun with a noun, a verb with a verb, an adjective
with an adjective, and so on. Here are some examples, with
the coordinating conjunctions in bold and the words being
connected underlined:
 Did you remember to bring pen and paper?
 Sometimes I shower or bathe at night instead of in the
morning.
 Xan found her classmates’ comments on her
writing challenging yet helpful.
Coordinating conjunctions to join phrases
Coordinating conjunctions can also link phrases of the same
grammatical type.
In the following sentence, the coordinating conjunction and connects
two noun phrases:
The antique desk and the modern lamp look surprisingly natural
together.
Here’s a sentence in which the coordinating
conjunction but connects two prepositional phrases:
I got to the movie before Edam but after Vera.
And in this next example, nor joins two adjective phrases. (Note that
in the example, nor is both a coordinating conjunction and a
correlative conjunction with its partner, neither.)
The snack we ate was neither very tasty nor filling enough to tide us
over till dinner.
Coordinating conjunctions to join independent clauses
An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone as
a simple sentence. When two independent clauses are
logically closely related, it often makes sense to combine
them into a compound sentence with the help of a
coordinating conjunction and a comma.
I wanted something to eat, so I looked in the fridge.
Reading fiction is beneficial, for it can make us more
empathetic.
The host borrowed dozens of folding chairs, yet there were
not enough for the guests.
We liked the play’s story, but we didn’t care for its staging.
FANBOYS
Coordinating Conjunction Indicates Examples
For Reason I'd hate to waste a drop of
water, for it is crucial when
crossing the desert.
And Agreement Jennifer and Ron wanted to spend
the weekend at the beach.
Nor Negative agreement Sam wouldn't go down the water
slide, nor would he jump off the
diving board.
But Opposing idea Paul is ready to leave, but Steve
needs more time.
Or Alternative options Kim wasn't sure if she wanted a
dog or cat.
Yet Contrasting idea Leonard wasn't sure he'd like the
lake, yet he jumped right in on the
first day of camp.
So Result or effect Lisa couldn't find time to
study, so she didn’t do well on the
exam.
When using coordinating conjunctions to create compound
sentences, the following grammar rules apply:
Independent Clauses: Place a comma before a coordinating
conjunction when it connects two independent clauses.
Independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunction +
independent clause
Rita considered moving to New York, but she wasn't sure if
she'd like the city.
Words: A comma is not needed when a coordinating
conjunction connects two items.
word + coordinating conjunction + word
Leslie wanted to visit the zoo and the museums.
 Sentence Starters: A coordinating conjunction CAN be the
beginning of a sentence. Teachers may advise against it because
it helps less experienced writers avoid sentence fragments.
 Theclass expected a pop quiz today. But the teacher decided to
delay it until next week.
 Items in a Series: When connecting two or more words, phrases,
or clauses, a comma and a coordinating conjunction should be
placed before the last item (known as an Oxford comma).
 word + comma + word + comma + coordinating conjunction +
word
 Uma has homework in math, science, and English.
 Coordinating conjunction examples
 The following sentences are the examples of coordinating
conjunctions:
 John didn't like going to the lake, for he couldn't swim.
 It is difficult for Hira to wake up early, for she always works the late shift.
 Saad must have been extremely tired, for he fell asleep when his head hit the
pillow.
 Tina needed to pick up eggs, cheese, and bread.
 Sarah and Ali wanted to take the subway into the city.
 We can serve both chocolate and vanilla ice cream at the party.
 Neither the apartment nor the townhouse arose his interest.
 Tom is not a fan of the Steelers nor the Eagles despite living in Pennsylvania.
 Mr Ahmed did not return to the store, nor did Mr Saad.
 Molly finds the cold weather refreshing, but Ryan finds it uncomfortable.
 He tried to switch lanes, but there was too much traffic.
 Tara likes the summer, but her husband prefers the spring.
 We had the option of chicken or beef at the wedding this weekend.
 Wes wasn't sure if he wanted to study in the library or his dorm room.
 Does your brother prefer coffee or tea?
 He trained extremely hard for the marathon, yet he was disappointed by
his time.
 Hector enjoys spending winter in the south, yet they decided not to go
this year.
 His dad is almost 70, yet he runs five miles every weekend.
 Polly stayed late at work all week so she could take a long weekend.
 The music has been playing all night, so now I have a headache.
 Mike is coming into town today, so you'll finally be able to meet him.
What is a subordinating conjunction?

 What is a subordinating conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction (also known as a
subordinator or subordinate conjunction) is a single
word or group of words that links a dependent clause
to an independent clause, creating a complex
sentence.
 How do you use subordinating conjunctions in a sentence?
 Place subordinating conjunctions at the beginning of the
dependent clause. If the dependent clause comes before the
independent clause, put a comma at the end of the dependent
clause.
 Can subordinating conjunctions start a sentence?
 Subordinatingconjunctions often start a sentence whenever the
dependent clause comes first.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunction:
•My father believes that I should be a writer.
•He inspires me always because he believes in me.
•He works so hard that he can provide everything we need.
•I trust him because he is a trustworthy person.
•My life will be blessed if I fulfill his dreams.
•He will always support me whether I succeed or not.
•I started writing when I was eight.
•Everyone asked me how I wrote such stories at that age.
•I did not understand why people used give compliments to me.
• I did not feel good about it as I was always an introvert.
• I did not have so many friends until I was admitted to college.
• I used to sit alone and think about many things while others played on the ground.
• I did not even talk to them lest they should insult me.
• Though I tried to be free with them, they did not seem to like me.
• No one could tell me where I could get some peanuts.
• Alex and Sean became my best friends after I had admitted to college.
• They came to talk to me as soon as I entered the classroom.
• It was a long time since someone had come to talk with me on their own.
• They were older than I.
• They were so cordial that I could not but be easy with them.