“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.
”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
COORDINATION
CONJUNCTIONS
A conjunction is a joiner, a word that connects (conjoins) parts of a sentence.
Conjunctions join together elements of thought: words, phrases, sentences, and
paragraphs
TYPES OF CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest kind of conjunctions, and they denote equality of relationship
between the ideas they join. When a coordinating conjunction joins together two independent clauses, the
resulting sentence is called a compound sentence.
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs. They are similar to coordinating conjunctions because they
join sentence elements that are of equal grammatical rank and syntactic importance.
Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions connect two independent clauses by making one into a subordinating clause. The
subordinating clauses act in a similar way as single word adverbs, nouns or adjectives do.
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two elements of equal grammatical rank and syntactic
importance. They can join two verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two adverbs, two phrases, or two independent
clauses.
The seven coordinating conjunctions are: FOR, YET, BUT, AND, SO, OR, NOR
Joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction creates a compound sentence.
An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence. When joining two independent clauses
with a coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the coordinating conjunction as follows:
Subject + verb + object, COORDINATING CONJUNCTION subject + verb + object.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
EXERCISE
WHICH ELEMENTS ARE THE COORDINATING CONJUCTIONS JOINING IN THE
FOLLOWING SENTENCES?
1. The children ran and jumped all over the playground. _________________________
2. The old castle seemed grand yet mysterious. ________________________________
3. Would you like cereal or toast for breakfast? ________________________________
4. John and Reggie stayed up all night practicing their guitars. _____________________
5. The squirrel scurried up the tree trunk and onto a low branch. ___________________
6. Slowly but surely, the turtle finished the race. _______________________________
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS?
1. And—means "in addition to":
AND: Of all the coordinating conjunctions, 'and' is the most common coordinating
conjunction. When using “and”, a comma is needed if it is used to connect two independent
clauses. If, however, it is used simply to connect two elements in the same clause or sentence, no
comma is required.
Examples:
I have one dog and three love birds.
We are going to a zoo and an aquarium on the same day.
Diabetes is a serious disease, and it is becoming more common.
NOTES: AND is also used to:
A. To suggest that one idea is chronologically sequential to another:
"Tashonda sent in her applications and waited by the phone for a response."
B. To suggest that one idea is the result of another:
"Willie heard the weather report and promptly boarded up his house."
C. To suggest that one idea is in contrast to another (frequently replaced by but in this usage):
"Juanita is brilliant and Shalimar has a pleasant personality.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
2. But— Shows contrast; it connects two different ideas that are not in agreement:
BUT requires a comma when acting as a coordinating conjunction, connecting two
independent clauses. When BUT is used to connect two single words or phrases, no comma
is needed.
Examples:
I am a night owl, but she is an early bird.
Television is a wonderful escape, but it interferes with my writing.
Smoking has been linked to health problems, but many people continue to smoke.
NOTES: BUT is also used to:
A. To suggest a contrast that is unexpected in light of the first clause:
"Joey lost a fortune in the stock market, but he still seems able to live quite comfortably."
B. To suggest in an affirmative sense what the first part of the sentence implied in a negative
way (sometimes replaced by on the contrary):
"The club never invested foolishly, but used the services of an astute investment counselor."
3. So—It indicates effect, result or consequence of the first idea:
Examples:
This song has been very popular, so I downloaded it.
I like to read, so my grammar is always on-point.
Marion was sick, so she couldn’t attend the meeting.
The president did not come because of illness, so someone else gave the achievement
awards on her behalf.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
4. Or— It indicates a choice or alternative between two things:
Examples:
Do you want a red one or a blue one?
Would you rather read a book or watch a good TV show?
The professor may give the students a take-home exam, or he will have them write
research papers.
5. For— It explains reason or purpose (just like "because"). When it is used as a conjunctions
in only joins independent clauses no single words or phrases:
Examples:
I want to go there again, for it was a wonderful trip.
I go to the park every Sunday, for I long to see his face.
The car that the police seized at the crime scene had been sold in auction, for no one came
forward to claim it.
6. Yet— In its role as a conjunction is very similar to BUT. It joins clauses to express a
contradictory or contrasting concept that follows the preceding idea in a logical fashion.
YET expresses a stronger contrast than BUT.
Examples:
I always take a book to the beach, yet I never seem to turn a single page.
Supporters of both teams complained about extreme heat, yet they continued to watch the
match.
Boris works ten hours a day, yet he has time to volunteer at a homeless shelter.
7. Nor — It is used to present an alternative negative idea to an already stated negative
idea. It can show addition or a negative alternative/choice.
Examples:
That is not what I meant to say, nor should you interpret my statement as an admission of
guilt.
She didn’t talk to her friends, nor did she call her family.
He can’t attend the meeting and nor can Ally.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
EXERCISE 1:
FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION:
AND BUT SO
1. The rain is very heavy, _______________ the game will probably not be played.
2. John works in a restaurant on weekends __________________ during the week.
3. Sherry has a great job, _______________ she is a very unhappy person.
4. The sun is shinning brightly, __________________ picnic was still cancelled.
5. Rita is an excellent violinist, ________________ she will probably be chosen for the
orchestra.
6. The security lines are very long at the airport, _____________ you should probably leave
early for your flight.
7. I will go to the game, __________________ I will watch it on TV.
8. Mary has six brothers ________________ eleven cousins.
9. I do not like pasta, _________________ I do like pizza.
10. Max loves San Francisco, _______________ he is thinking of moving there.
EXERCISE 2
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate coordinating conjunction: YET FOR NOR
OR
1. Marsha doesn’t play jazz ___________________ the blues. She prefers hip-hop and rap.
2. John doesn’t like chicken, ________________ does he like pork or burgers.
3. Sheila works hard, _________________ she doesn’t make a lot of money.
4. The sun is very strong, ______________ Jacob still won’t wear any sunscreen.
5. I love you more than anything in the world, _________________ you are sweet and kind.
6. Would you like coffee _______________ tea? I would prefer a cup of coffee.
7. Henry is not from Mexico, ________________ is he from Belize. He is from Honduras.
8. I will go to Montreal ______________ Quebec for the weekend. I’m not sure.
9. James is very tired, ________________ he will still come with us to the movies.
10. Wanda is very happy, ________________ she has finally earned her degree.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
EXERCISE 3
Connect the following simple sentences using coordinating conjunctions to make them into
compound sentences:
Several managers sat with their backs to us. I could almost hear them snickering at us lowly
workers.
I love candy bars. I know they are not good for me. My doctor has told me this. I don’t want
to listen.
I don’t want to throw away my candy bars. I don’t wish to listen to my doctor.
The kids got bored. They went to the park.
Most video games are fun. Minecraft is the best one!
The guests did not mind the delay. They did not complain about getting a different room.
I wanted to bake a cake. I went to the store. I bought flour and sugar. I bought chocolate
frosting to go on top. I also got fresh strawberries to put on the cake.
EXERCISE 4:
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, so). Insert commas when necessary.
1. My favorite desserts include cookies, cheesecake ____ tiramisu.
2. I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books _____ I had to get a job.
3. I finished my homework _____ my mom let me go outside.
4. I could not play outside _____ I had to study for a test.
5. I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint _____ at a steakhouse. 6.I have no money _____ I keep
shopping.
7. I have neither done the dishes _____ the laundry.
8. We should bring either pizza _____ cake to the party.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
UNIVERSITY OF EL SALVADOR Hebrews 13:5
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
ENGLISH GRAMMAR II MAT. Rhina Franco Ramos
N O TE S
Do not begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction.
FOR is formal and poetic. It means BECAUSE.
FOR is rarely used as a conjunction in modern English.
NOR, used by itself, usually begins a sentence. When NOR introduces a clause, the clause
should be written in a question word order without a question mark at the end of the clause.
Example:
I don’t like opera, nor do I like chamber music.
As a conjunction, YET means BUT. It is used more often in writing than in speaking.
Use a comma before the conjunction when 2 independent clauses are joined. You don’t need
to use a comma if those clauses are short or if they have the same subject
Coordinating conjunctions can also join a series that lists more than two items; the coordinating
conjunction precedes the final item. A comma should be placed before the coordinating conjunction.
Example:
Delia recently bought new straps, pedals, a horn, and toe clips for her bike.
Susy wants a tablet, a video game, or a cell phone for her birthday.
