What is a Coordinating Conjunction? (Definition, Examples, How to Use)

What are coordinating conjunctions? In the English language, a conjunction is a word that connects other words or sets of words in a sentence. Coordinate conjunctions or coordinating conjunctions are a type of conjunction that joins sentences, words, phrases, and clauses together.

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Coordinating conjunctions join elements that are of equal syntactic importance and grammatical rank. These can be two nouns, two verbs, two adjectives, two main clauses, or two phrases.

Coordinating conjunctions: The different types

Coordinating conjunctions can be divided into four broad categories depending on the purpose they serve in a sentence.

Cumulative conjunctions

These conjunctions can be used to join a word, phrase, or sentence with another. These words can be used to join similar types of things together. They can also be swapped out for other conjunctive terms from the same group. Cumulative conjunctions include:

• and
• too
• not only … but also
• no less than
• both… and
• as well as

Examples:

• Brian understands English and French.
• Brian understands both English and French.
• Brian understands not only English but also French.
• Brian understands English and French too.
• Brian understands English no less than French.
• Brian understands English as well as French.

Alternative conjunction

Alternative conjunctions present or connect alternative things or ideas. They present different options of the same thing to the reader as choices. Alternative conjunctions include:

• or
• either… or
• neither… nor
• else
• otherwise

Examples:

• Brian or Sarah are coming to the party.
• Brian will either drink tea or eat a pizza.
• Neither Brian nor Sarah is coming to the party.
• I got the package delivered today; else I would have gone to the supermarket.
• Brian had to go to the party; otherwise, he would have studied for the test today.

Adversative conjunction

Conjunctions of this kind are used to highlight opposing viewpoints or statements. are employed in sentences to indicate disapproval, disagreement, or refusal. Adversative conjunctions include:

• but
• even though
• although
• notwithstanding
• still
• yet
• nevertheless
• whereas
• while

Examples:

• Brian stumbled on the road, but he did not fall.
• Lily failed the competition even though she prepared for it.
• Norah was depressed and miserable, although she was wealthy.
• Brennan is diabetic, notwithstanding that he eats chocolate.
• James deceives Sarah in every competition, but she still trusts him.
• Lola was harsh to the kids, yet I believe she means well.

Illative conjunction

Illative conjunctions illustrate an inference or observation. Authors can indicate the outcomes of a prior action using illative conjunctions. These include:

• so
• for
• then

Examples:

• It is raining buckets, so Mary did not go to the party.
• Mary did not go to the party for it was raining buckets.
• I first finished my assignment, then the teacher instructed me to show it to the entire class.

Coordinating conjunctions: Examples

The key coordinating conjunctions used in the English language are widely known by the acronym FANBOYS. They are “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.”

For

It provides an explanation of a purpose or reason, usually in the form of two distinct sentences.

Example:

Styles did not come to the recital yesterday for he was sick.

And

And is a coordinating conjunction that adds one element, like a noun, adjective, clause, phrase, or verb, to another.

Example:

I will go to the supermarket today and buy the peaches.

Nor

Though used less frequently, “nor” functions as the link between two opposing (negative) notions. It connects a negative thought from the first sentence with another negative thought. 

Example:

I do not like going to parties, nor do I like dancing.

But

The conjunction “but” contrasts two equally important words, ideas, or phrases.

Example:

I am not really invested in action movies, but I really loved Hitman.

Or

“Or” implies a choice or an alternative. It is used between two clauses or phrases and two similar parts of speech.

Example:

We can go out to eat at your favorite restaurant, or I can cook you dinner.

Yet

“Yet” presents a contrasting concept that logically follows the first idea.

Example:

Lola was harsh to the kids, yet I believe she means well.

So

“So” indicates a consequence, result, or effect of an action mentioned in the preceding clause.

Example:

The kitten was shivering, so I covered him with a blanket.

Points to note:

There are a few things to consider while using coordinating conjunctions:

• A comma must come before the second clause when two separate clauses are joined with coordinating conjunctions.
• When using coordinating conjunctions to join two phrases, a comma is not necessary.
• When coordinating conjunctions are used to join a series of items or multiple nouns, the author can decide whether to use or not use commas.
• Sentences can begin using coordinating conjunctions if the context calls for or permits it.

Sources:

1. Merriam Webster – coordinating conjunction – Definition
2. Wikipedia – Conjunction (grammar)
3. Grammarly – What Is a Coordinating Conjunction?
4. Thesaurus.com – What Is A Coordinating Conjunction? Definition & Examples