Coordinating Conjunctions

We use a coordinating conjunction to join parts of a sentence that are equal in form, or parallel. Parts of sentences, such as words, phrases, and clauses, are called elements. A coordinating conjunction connects a word to a word, a phrase to a phrase, or a clause to a clause. When joined by a conjunction, they are called compound elements.

Here are the common coordinating conjunctions:
and     but     or     nor     for     yet     so

Coordinating conjunctions may join a word to another word:

Coordinating conjunctions may join a phrase to another phrase:

singing loudly or humming softly
over the meadow and through the woods
playing inside or playing outside
out of the frying pan and into the fire
to study the material and to take the exam
in the river or on the bank
languishing in the dark but thriving in the light
to practice the skill and to take the test
on the airplane or aboard the ship
angering some people but appeasing others

Coordinating conjunctions may connect a clause to another clause:

• Anna rushes to the car, for she is late.
• Quan searches for his python, but he can't find it.
• Clara Barton established the American Red Cross, and she served as its first president in 1881.
• John Langdon served on the Continental Congress, and he financed a brigade against the British.
• He was considered a patriot, for he sacrificed much for his country.

Example

Underline each coordinating conjunction that you find in these sentences.

1. Andrew cut his hair and changed his shirt and pants, but he still looked like his twin brother.
2. I shall ride my bicycle or walk, for I need the exercise.
3. Ms. Hoo wants to go home and rest, yet she has too many papers to grade.
4. Ariana brought the ball and bat, but she forgot her glove.
5. It's not raining, so you may play soccer or baseball.
6. Tracy washed and ironed her pants, but she still did not like them.
7. The traveler appeared lost, for he was wandering in circles.
8. The teacher wanted to go home and plant daisies, yet she had too many papers to grade.
9. Mom bought carrots and celery, but she forgot the cake and ice cream.
10. You may wear a dress or skirt today.
11. Clara Barton was honored with the Iron Cross of Germany, for she assisted in establishing hospitals in the Franco-German War.
12. The American Red Cross helps victims in war, but it also serves victims of peacetime disaster.
13. Please bring your birth certificate and your passport.
14. That candidate is ingenuous, so we can trust him.
15. We remember Elbridge Gerry from Massachusetts, for he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
16. Elbridge Gerry was an Antifederalist and an opponent to the Constitution, but economic insecurity under the Articles of Confederation drew him to the Great Convention.
17. Most colonists despised war, yet they would not tolerate British interference or injustice.
18. Mutual respect developed between Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Elbridge Gerry, so they prepared the state of Massachusetts for war.

Solution

We underline coordinating conjunctions as follows:

1. Andrew cut his hair and changed his shirt and pants, but he still looked like his twin brother.
2. I shall ride my bicycle or walk, for I need the exercise.
3. Ms. Hoo wants to go home and rest, yet she has too many papers to grade.
4. Ariana brought the ball and bat, but she forgot her glove.
5. It's not raining, so we can play soccer or baseball.
6. Tracy washed and ironed her pants, but she still did not like them.
7. The traveler appeared lost, for he was wandering in circles.
8. The teacher wanted to go home and plant daisies, yet she had too many papers to grade.
9. Mom bought carrots and celery, but she forgot the cake and ice cream.
10. You may wear a dress or skirt today.
11. Clara Barton was honored with the Iron Cross of Germany, for she assisted in establishing hospitals in the Franco-German War.
12. The American Red Cross helps victims in war, but it also serves victims of peacetime disaster.
13. Please bring your birth certificate and your passport.
14. That candidate is ingenuous, so we can trust him.
15. We remember Elbridge Gerry from Massachusetts, for he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
16. Elbridge Gerry was an Antifederalist and an opponent to the Constitution, but economic insecurity under the Articles of Confederation drew him to the Great Convention.
17. Most colonists despised war, yet they would not tolerate British interference or injustice.
18. Mutual respect developed between Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Elbridge Gerry, so they prepared the state of Massachusetts for war.