LoginCoordinating Conjunctions
In this lesson, master coordinating conjunctions to connect words, phrases, and clauses of equal importance using combinations like "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet." Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Coordinating Conjunctions?
Coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence that are of equal importance and similar grammatical structure.
Coordinating Conjunctions in English
There are four main coordinating conjunctions in English:
There are also a number of conjunctions that share some of the features of coordinating conjunctions, but not all of them. These include:
We consider these separate from the main coordinating conjunctions because:
They can be used together with another coordinating conjunction while the main coordinating conjunction cannot be used together.
She forgot her passport at home, and so she missed her flight to Paris.
You can't say 'and but she missed her flight.'
They can connect nonequal elements.
Fully aware of the risks, he yet proceeded with the experiment.
Coordinating Conjunctions Joining Words and Phrases
As previously mentioned, coordinating conjunctions can be used to join phrases together. There are different types of phrases, and we can use different coordinating conjunctions to join them. For example:
The officer was talking to a crying woman and a suspicious man.
two noun phrases
The question was completely clear but quite hard.
two adjective phrases
The fans cheered the team very loudly and enthusiastically.
two adverb phrases
We can cook something or order a pizza.
two verb phrases
Keep in mind that coordinating conjunctions can join single words as well as phrases and clauses. They can join verbs, adjectives, nouns, adverbs, pronouns, and prepositions. Look at the examples:
They talked to him and me.
two pronouns
I can't sing nor dance.
two verbs
We have flights to and from Madrid.
two prepositions
The queen was a beautiful but cruel woman.
two adjectives
The bird is singing happily and loudly.
two adverbs
Tip!
When you join two nouns and use an adjective and a determiner to modify them, be careful about the position of the adjective and the determiner, as it can change the meaning of the sentence. Compare the examples:
Put on your black hat and jacket.
both the 'hat' and the 'jacket' are black because 'and' is connecting the two nouns.
Put on your black hat and your jacket.
Here, the hat is black, but not the jacket, because 'and' is coordinating the two noun phrases.
Put on your black hat and the jacket.
The hat is black, but not the jacket.
Put on your black hat and the red jacket.
It is clear that the 'hat' is black and the 'jacket' is red.
Uses
Now, let us learn more about uses of English coordinating conjunctions that can join words and phrases.
And
'And' adds a word or phrase to another. Look at the sentences:
I had some bread and butter for breakfast.
Mike and I are dating.
He could win the race slowly and steadily.
Tip!
When creating a list, it is common to use the coordinating conjunction 'and' before the final item, preceded by a comma. However, in some styles of writing, the comma before the coordinating conjunction is optional. Look at the example:
My favorite meal consists of pasta, hot dogs, soup, salad (,) and a glass of cola.
But
'But' as a coordinating conjunction is used to show contrast between two words or phrases of equal importance. Let us see some examples:
The princess has a beautiful face but a cruel heart.
He is fast but careless.
Tip!
You can join more than two words or phrases using coordinating conjunctions. For example:
The exam was completely clear and perfectly understandable but quite hard.
three adjective phrases
The officer was talking to a crying woman, a suspicious man, and a nervous kid.
three noun phrases
Or
'Or' is used to introduce an alternative or choice. It can be used between two words with the same part of speech as well as two phrases. Look at the examples:
Are you guys having a boy or a girl?
Would you rather read the book or watch the movie adaptation?
Nor
'Nor' is a coordinating conjunction that acts as the negative form of 'or' and joins two negative ideas together in a sentence. It is typically used after the first negative idea to introduce the second negative idea. For example:
Neither meat nor vegetable is good for her health.
Death doesn't spare small nor great.
He never forgave nor forgot her.
Yet
'Yet' is used to introduce a contrasting idea to something that has already been mentioned in a sentence. It indicates an unexpected or surprising result or outcome. Look at the sentences below:
The food is bad-smelling yet delicious.
She is a smart yet irrational girl.
Coordinating Conjunctions Joining Clauses
We can use coordinating conjunctions to join independent clauses. When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, we need to put a comma before the conjunction. All the main and secondary members of coordinating conjunctions can connect clauses.
Alex wants to travel to Germany, and he's really excited.
Willy is scared, so he can't pet the llama.
Uses
Now let us see how each coordinating conjunction can be used to connect clauses.
And
'And' can be used to join two independent clauses. Beside showing addition, it can show relationships of temporal sequence, condition, and consequence between clauses. Look at the examples:
I left the room and he followed me.
temporal sequence
Sleep now and I will buy you a present.
condition
He had an accident and his leg was injured.
consequence
But
'But' can be used to join two independent clauses and show contrast between them. Look at the example:
I like chocolate ice cream, but Alice likes vanilla ice cream.
Nor
'Nor' is used to connect two negative ideas in a sentence, and indicates that neither of the ideas is true or applicable. Look at the sentence below:
He didn't take the kids to the zoo, nor did he buy them ice cream.
Or
'Or' can be used to link two alternatives expressed by two independent clauses. It can also show a conditional relation between two clauses. Look at the example:
I can bring it to you or you can come to pick it up.
alternative
Leave now or you will miss the bus.
condition
Yet
'Yet' is used to introduce a contrasting idea to something that has already been mentioned in a sentence. It indicates an unexpected or surprising result or outcome. It can be used to mean 'but' or 'nevertheless'. Look at the sentences below:
It's a weird-looking dish, yet it's delicious.
I really want a cola, yet my doctor says I cannot have any.
So
'So' indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses. Let us see some examples:
They were out of coffee, so they decided to buy some.
For
'For' is not commonly used in modern English and is considered somewhat old-fashioned or literary. It is typically used to explain or provide a reason or purpose for something. When used to join two independent clauses, it is synonymous with 'because'. Take a look at the example:
I love taking long walks, for it is refreshing and good for my health.
Forget about the past, for what's done is done.
Review
Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses. There are four main and three marginal coordinating conjunctions in English. The table below shows which ones can be used to join words, phrases, and clauses.
Coordinating Conjunctions | |
|---|---|
Words | and, but, yet, or, nor |
Phrases | and, but, yet, or, nor |
Clauses | and, but, yet, or, nor, so, for |
Quiz:
Which sentence correctly uses a coordinating conjunction to show contrast between two clauses?
He studied hard, and he passed the test.
She wanted to go to the park, but it started to rain.
I will visit you, or you can come over here.
They were tired, so they took a nap.
Which sentence correctly uses a coordinating conjunction to join two clauses?
She plays the guitar and sings beautifully.
I like apples and oranges.
He didn't call me, so I went to his house.
I am tired but hungry.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending.
Complete each sentence using the correct coordinating conjunction. (There is one extra options.)
The software is easy
efficient for beginners.
He missed the train,
he took a taxi instead.
The plan was ambitious
poorly funded.
Trust your instincts,
they rarely deceive you.
He didn't call,
did he text.
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