8.137 Coordination

When you say or write something, you often want to put together two or more clauses of equal importance. You do this by using a coordinating conjunction.

• Anna had to go into town and she wanted to go to Bride Street.
• I asked if I could borrow her bicycle but she refused.
• They attack the state, yet draw money from it.

Here is a list of the most common coordinating conjunctions:

• and, but, nor, or, then, yet

Coordinating conjunctions are also used to link words and word groups.

• The boys shouted and rushed forward.
• ...domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
• Her manner was hurried yet painstakingly courteous.
• He toppled slowly but inexorably off the fence.

Sometimes coordinating conjunctions can be used together.

• It is a simple game and yet interesting enough to be played with skill.
• Eric moaned something and then lay still.

The linking of clauses, words, or word groups using coordinating conjunctions is called coordination. Coordinating conjunctions are sometimes called coordinators.

8.138

The different uses of coordinating conjunctions are explained in the following paragraphs:

• clauses: paragraphs 8.139 to 8.151verbs: paragraphs 8.152 to 8.158noun groups: paragraphs 8.159 to 8.167adjectives and adverbs: paragraphs 8.168 to 8.177other word groups: paragraphs 8.178 to 8.181

Ways of emphasizing coordinating conjunctions are described in paragraphs 8.182 to 8.187.

The linking of more than two clauses, words, or word groups is explained in paragraphs 8.188 and 8.189.