Conjunctions: Coordinating
There are four types of conjunctions: Coordinating,
Subordinating, Conjunctive Adverbs, and Correlative
Conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions can be remembered easily with the
acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses
of equal value
.
If the coordinating conjunction joins two words
(subjects, verbs, etc.) two phrases, or two dependent
clauses, there is no comma. If the conjunction
joins a series of more than two , then there must
be a comma to separate the items and a comma before
the conjunction.
Words:
Tom or Mary worked late.
(two subjects)
Kim, Minh, and Yong
studied until 3 am. (3 subjects)
Maria stopped at the store and
bought milk.(2 verbs)
Sonya read the assignment, wrote the paper,
and turned it in. (3 verbs.
Phrases:
Sitting quietly and studying, I didn't see the
sign. (2 participial phrases)
In the morning, in the afternoon, and
in the evening, Jackson watches TV. (3 prepositional
phrases)
Clauses: Dependent and Independent
Dependent:
When I get up in the morning and
before I drink my coffee, I don't like to talk to
anyone. (2 dependent clauses)
I could see that he was tired, (that) he was
cranky, but (that) he was in
conscientious.(2 dependent clauses
Independent: Commas are always used to separate
independent clauses that are connected with a coordinating
conjunction.
Stanley does the dishes, for he loves me.
Jorge studied for the final , and he got a
good grade.
NOTE: Nor is a bit different from the
other coordinating conjunctions. When nor is
used to join independent clauses, the subject and verb that
follows reverse order.
Susan doesn't like to eat meat, nor does
she like vegetables.
Harry hates to work, not does he like to
study.
Jane worked hard at her job, but she was
laid off.
Dena will go to UC Berkeley, or she will go to
Harvard.
I realized that the woman was lying, yet I
was shocked to discover the truth.
Saori drove to the market, so she
could buy groceries.
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