8.5 coordinating conjunctions

If you are simply linking clauses, you use a coordinating conjunction.

• Her son lives at home and has a steady job.
• He's a shy man, but he's not scared of anything or anyone.

Coordinating conjunctions can also be put between questions and between imperative clauses.

• Do people drive their own cars or are they all called for by the bus?
• Visit your local dealer or phone for a brochure.

Clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction are called coordinate clauses.

• She turned and left the room.

Sentences which contain coordinate clauses are sometimes called compound sentences.

A full explanation of coordinate clauses is given in paragraphs 8.137 to 8.151. Other uses of coordinating conjunctions are explained in paragraphs 8.152 to 8.189.