Basic Coordinating Conjunctions

Introduction
A coordinating conjunction is a word which joins together two clauses which are both equally important. This page will explain the most common coordinating conjunctions and how to use them.

1. What is a clause?
A clause is a unit which contains a subject and a verb. For example, It was raining is a clause; the subject is it, and the verb is was raining. Every sentence MUST contain at least one clause, but it may contain more than one. For example: It was raining, so I took my umbrella. This sentence contains two clauses, It was raining and I took my umbrella. They are independent clauses because each one would be a good sentence on its own each one is a complete thought.

2. Joining clauses together with coordinating conjunctions

Examine the example sentence one more time: It was raining, so I took my umbrella. The two clauses in the sentence are joined together with the word so. This is a coordinating conjunction. It is used to join two independent clauses which are equally important. A coordinating conjunction usually comes in the middle of a sentence, and it usually follows a comma (unless both clauses are very short). These are the most important coordinating conjunctions: Conjunction and but or so Function joins two similar ideas together joins two contrasting ideas joins two alternative ideas shows that the second idea is the result of the first Example He lives in Victoria, and he studies at UVic. John is Canadian, but Sally is English. I could cook some supper, or we could order a pizza. She was sick, so she went to the doctor.

These conjunctions are also used:

nor (joining two negative alternatives) for (meaning because) yet (meaning but)

3. Using coordinating conjunctions

There are three things to remember when using coordinating conjunctions: 1. Coordinating conjunctions join independent clauses. Each clause must be a complete thought which could be a sentence on its own. 2. With coordinating conjunctions, put the conjunction in the middle. You may see some sentences starting with but or and, but this is usually wrong, so it's best to avoid it. 3. With coordinating conjunctions, use a comma unless both clauses are very short.

4.Basic Subordinating Conjunctions

5. Introduction
6. A subordinating conjunction is a word which joins together a dependent clause and an independent clause. This page will explain the most common subordinating conjunctions and how to use them.

7. 1. What is a dependent clause?

8. A clause is a unit which contains a subject and a verb. For example, It was raining is a clause; the subject is it, and the verb is was raining. A dependent clause is a clause which cannot exist on its own; it needs a main (or independent) clause to go with it. For example: 9. Because it was raining, I took my umbrella. 10. This sentence contains two clauses, Because it was raining and I took my umbrella. The first clause does not mean anything on its own. If you say Because it was raining, and nothing else, people will not be able to understand what you mean. However, I took my umbrella is an independent clause we can understand what it means even if it is alone.

11. 2. Joining clauses together with subordinating conjunctions

12. Examine the example sentence one more time: 13. Because it was raining, I took my umbrella. 14. The important word here is because. This is a subordinating conjunction. It is used to show the relationship between the two clauses. A subordinating conjunction usually comes at the beginning of the dependent clause, but the dependent clause itself can be before the main clause (usually followed by a comma) or after it (usually without a comma): 15. Although it was hot, he was wearing a coat. He was wearing a coat although it was hot.

16. 3. Important subordinating conjunctions

17. Some of the most important subordinating conjunctions fall into two groups: contrast, and cause and effect. Conjunction Function although (even) though express contrast between ideas whereas while because show a cause/effect relationship as between ideas since Example Although she's small, she's very strong. John is short, whereas Mary is tall. I lost my job because I was often late. Since I have no money, I can't go to the movie.

Addtional vs. Conclusive facts ADDITION CONCLUSIVE FACT

Furthermore, moreover, or besides, introduces a final fact in And, and also, as well as, order to make a point or to support an argument. conclusive in addition, additionally, or fact (adj) showing that something is definitely true (An also, introduces additional argument is based on an opinion. A person takes a position and information. tries to prove that it is true. These words are commonly used in an essay when developing a thesis statement or topic sentence.) Anne would like to play a dramatic role. Also, In my opinion, Anne would be excellent in that movie. She she thinks it would be fun has done several dramatic roles and has lots of experience. to try comedy. Furthermore, she looks like the character in the book. role (n.) acting part Alex has acted on I think Alex is the best choice. He has acted on Broadway and Broadway (stage) and on television; moreover, he has played supporting roles in television. In addition, he three movies. Also see using semi-colons has acted in three movies. Beside having several Alex and Anne won't be able to dance in the international dance competitions, Alex competition in Rio de Janeiro. They have too many other and Anne have family things to do. Besides, they can't get a visa in time. obligations. Alex and Anne have to focus on their practices as Alex and Anne have to focus on their practices and auditions. well as their auditions. They can't take time off to travel. Another thing is, they have audition (n.) to try out family obligations. (informal use only) for a part, give a short performance to see if the person is good for the part

Connector Chart COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS / TRANSITION WORDS

These join two words, phrases or independent clause. They mostly occur mid-sentence with a comma placed before the conjunction. They may also occur at the beginning of a sentence note. He talked and listened. (same subject) He talked, and I listened (different subjects)

These join equivalent sentence elements such as one noun phrase with another noun phrase. These occur as paired words. (Also see Focusing Adverbs.) Both his project and hers ended. Neither he nor she knows how to ski. You car uses more gas than this one.

These join a dependent clause to an independent clause. They occur at the beginning of sentences with a comma separating the clause mid-sentence or they occur midsentence with no comma. Though it rained, we went. We went though it rained. Besides being cold, we were hungry.

These join two independent clauses or sentences. They can be used at the beginning of a sentence or midsentence (with punctuation). They transition the reader from the thought of one sentence to the thought in the next. We wanted to go. However, it rained. We wanted to go; however, it rained. We wanted to go; it rained, however. In addition, it was windy and cold.

She was tired, so we We were hungry This computer is as left. besides being cold. fast as that one. ADDITION ADDITION and, also, and also

ADDITION both...and, not only ADDITION in addition, furthermore, ...also, not only ... but also, and...too, besides, in addition to moreover, additionally, and so besides ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE either...or, neither...nor , rather rather than(2) than (1) CAUSE-EFFECT CAUSE-EFFECT (reason) instead, as an alternative, otherwise, rather CAUSE-EFFECT therefore, consequently, as a consequence, as a result, thus, hence,

ALTERNATIVE or, nor

CAUSE-EFFECT so, for

so...that, such...that because, since, now that, as, in order, as

long as, inasmuch, because of, due to, owing to, so that, in order that, if only because COMPARISON COMPARISON as . . . as, more...than, less...than

accordingly

COMPARISON COMPARISON as (like), as if, as though CONDITION In the same way, Similarly, In contrast, Unlike X, Y

CONDITION or else

CONDITION whether.. or not

if, only if, unless, even if, whether, whether or not, provided (that), in case, in the event (that) CONTRAST (contrary outcome) although, even though, though, while, whereas, despite, in spite of, regardless of EMPHASIS

CONDITION otherwise, in the event (that), anyway, anyhow

CONTRAST nevertheless, nonetheless, however, on the one hand, on the other hand, in contrast to, in contrast, on the contrary EMPHASIS indeed, in fact, of course, certainly

CONTRAST

CONTRAST

but, yet, but still, but neither... nor anyway

EMPHASIS

EMPHASIS

PLACE

PLACE

PLACE where, wherever

PLACE

TIME TIME TIME TIME after, before, when, while, since, as, until, as soon as, by the time, once first, second, next, then, finally, previously, now, presently, next, still, meanwhile, subsequently, afterward

Note: For some writers, a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, etc.) is only used between two independent clauses (separated by a comma.) That is, a conjunction is not used at the beginning of a sentence. However, grammarians do not support this notion. Conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence (comments by Fowler, Merriam-Webster and other grammarians.)