English Grammar Understanding the Basics - Evelyn P. Altenberg, Robert M. Vago 2010
Lesson 18: Coordinating conjunctions
Unit 6: Conjuctions
Part I: Kinds of words
1. I saw Mary at the store.
2. I saw Mary and John at the store.
3. I saw Mary and John and Harry at the store.
4. I saw Mary and John and Harry and Melissa at the store.
5. I saw Mary and John and Harry and Melissa and ten other people at the store.
6. I saw ...
Well, you get the idea.
What are conjunctions? Conjunctions are connectors. They are words, such as and, that join words, phrases and sentences together. Some other conjunctions are underlined in the sentences below.
7. He didn’t respond much, just occasionally said ’’yes’’ or ’’no.’’
8. They take life seriously but are still fun to be around.
9. I thought that he was crazy.
10. Adam left the room before Tabitha could say another thing.
11. Just turn right when you get to the corner.
There are different kinds of conjunctions. We’ll look at coordinating conjunctions first.
Lesson 18: Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect any two units that are the same type. For example, they can connect two sentences, two nouns, two verbs, two determiners, two prepositions, or two adjectives.
Quick tip 18.1
There are three common coordinating conjunctions in English. They are: and, or, and but. Four less common ones are for, so, yet, and nor.
Quick 18.2
A commonly used way to remember the coordinating conjunctions is to think of FANBOYS: F (for), A (and), N (nor), B (but), O (or), Y (yet), S (so).
But given that and, or, and but are the most common, you’ll be in good shape if you just remember those.
The coordinating conjunctions in the sentences below are underlined.
1. You asked my friend, and then the other two came as well.
2. I go or he goes.
3. It wasn’t dark but the moon was out.
In these sentences, you can see that the coordinating conjunction has a complete sentence on either side of it. (The sentences on either side are in bold.) Thus, the conjunction in these examples is connecting two sentences.
In the next group of sentences, you can see that the coordinating conjunction has a noun one it her side of it. Thus, the conjunction is joining two nouns. The nouns are in bold.
4. The children had milk and cookies.
5. People study medicine or dentistry when they enroll at that institution.
In the next sentences, the coordinating conjunction is joining two adjectives. The adjectives are in bold.
6. That restaurant is known for healthy and nutritious food.
7. I’m buying either the striped or paisley wallpaper.
Test yourself 18.1
Underline the coordinating conjunction in each sentence below. Remember that the coordinating conjunctions are: and, or, but, for, so, yet, nor.
Sample: The old carpet was worn out but the furniture looked relatively new.
Getting started (answers on p.79)
1. You can hide between trips and make believe you’re innocent.
2. Was it near here or over there?
3. Roger looked around but he didn’t see anything.
4. They’ll eat chicken or turkey for dinner.
5. Mr. Joseph pulled out three letters and handed one to each of the men.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. He wants to work through the night but I don’t.
7. The general sent the dispatch to the army and the navy.
8. He went to the cloister or to the small chapel nearby.
9. Maud is not hungry, nor is her sister thirsty.
10. He’ll come over or he’ll call.
Test yourself 18.2
Underline the coordinating conjunction in each sentence below. Then decide if the conjunction is joining two sentences or two nouns. In this exercise, if there is not a complete sentence on either side of the conjunction, it is joining two nouns.
Sample: Mary decided to have either soup or salad. nouns
Getting started (answers on p.79)
1. Mr. Eagle was called away on business, so Mrs. Broxton took his place at the meeting.
2. He’d heard of it, but he didn’t like the idea.
3. Erin felt real excitement and enthusiasm.
4. It was raining hard, yet we went to the ball game.
5. The airline attendant asked, ’’Would you like coffee or tea?’’
More practice (answers on the website)
6. The color TV was too expensive, so Nancy didn’t buy it.
7. Do you swear to tell the truth, nothing but the truth?
8. At one time my favorite band was Katrina and the Waves/
9. Sammy wanted to go skydiving, but his parents didn’t let him.
10. For me, going to Paris is always a treat, for I love its architecture.
Test yourself 18.3
Underline the coordinating conjunction in each sentence below. Then decide if the conjunction is joining two verbs, two adjectives, or two prepositions.
Sample: That is a difficult but worthwhile lesson. adjectives
Getting started (answers on p.79)
1. I’ll be near or between the stacks.
2. He came up with a quick and effective remedy.
3. I hope you won’t worry or brood too much about it.
4. This trip will be expensive but worthwhile.
5. I am at or near a breakthrough.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. Don’t you hate to eat and run?
7. What size shirt are you looking for: small or large?
8. They came and went in a hurry.
9. At seven in the morning Tamara is sluggish yet efficient.
10. It is not advisable to drink and drive at the same time.
Test yourself 18.4
Write down the seven coordinating conjunctions. (Remember FANBOYS.) Answers on p.79.
1. ...
2. …
3. …
4. …
5. …
6. …
7. …