The Writing

Center

Revised 3/27/08

Coordinating Conjunctions – Words that are used to connect two or more

independent clauses in a sentence. They are punctuated with comma before the conjunction.
Sometimes if the independent clauses are very short, the comma is omitted. Don’t start sentences
with these words.

Independent clause – a group of words with a subject and verb that can be a simple sentence by
itself or can connect with other clauses to make different sentence types.

Ex. Birds fly south in winter. (1 independent clause/ simple sentence)

Ex. Birds fly south in winter, for the weather is warmer. (2 ind clauses/ compound sent)

For: reason (same meaning as because)

Ex. I did my homework, for I wanted to get a good grade in the class.

And: addition (puts two similar ideas together)

Ex. I did my homework, and I cleaned my room.

Nor: addition of negative ideas (two things not/and not) hv+subj+mv after “nor”

Ex. I didn’t do my homework, nor did I clean my room.

But: contrast (puts two opposite ideas together)

Ex. I did my homework, but I didn’t clean my room.

Or: choice

Ex. I will study, or I will clean my room.

Yet: a surprising opposite (although “but” can be used instead, “yet” emphasizes surprise)

Ex. I did all my homework, yet I couldn’t answer the question in class.

So: result (shows an effect or conclusion, reason comes first)

Ex. I did my homework, so I was able to participate in class.

* More than one coordinating conjunction can be used in the same sentence.

Ex. I did my homework, but I didn’t study enough, so I only got a C on the test.

Ex. I baked a cake, Susan decorated the house, and Maria invited the guests.
Subordinating Conjunctions – Words that are used to connect dependent clauses to
independent clauses in a sentence. When they begin a sentence, a comma follows the dependent
clause. When they follow the independent clause, no comma is necessary.

Independent clause – a group of words with a subject and verb that can be a simple sentence by
itself or can connect with other clauses to make different sentence types.

Dependent clause – a group of words with a subject and verb that starts with a subordinating
conjunction and cannot be a complete sentence. It must connect with an independent clause in a
sentence.

Ex. Birds fly south in winter. (1 independent clause/ simple sentence)

Ex. Birds fly south because the weather is warmer. (1 ind + 1 dep clause/ complex sent)

Don’t do this!: Birds fly south. Because the weather is warmer. (Fragment- a big mistake)

Time:

when before after until as soon as while as since as long as by the time (that)
once whenever every time (that) the first time (that) the next time (that)

Ex. When class is over, I go to the library. (DC, IC)

I go home as soon as I finish studying. (IC DC)

Reason:

because since

Ex. Since it is raining, I need an umbrella.

I need an umbrella because it is raining.

Contrast:

although even though while whereas

Ex. He is usually on time although today he was late.

While he likes strawberry ice cream, chocolate makes him sick.

Condition: one thing must happen for another to be possible

if unless even if

Ex. If you finish your green beans, you can have a cookie.
You can’t watch TV unless you finish your homework.