The Coordinate Conjunction: Joining Parallels

First Published: 14th of April, 2021 by Patrick Carpen.

The coordinate conjunction is used to join two parts of a sentence. More specifically, the coordinate conjunction connects two parallel items in a sentence. The coordinate conjunction is used to join:

1. Two clauses in a compound sentence.
2. Two nouns.
3. Two verbs.
4. Two adjectives.
5. Two adverbs.
6. Two prepositions.

The seven coordinate conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

The conjunctions nor, for, and so can only connect clauses. However, the conjunctions and, but, or, and yet can connect all of the above stated parallels.

Two clauses:

It is raining, so I didn’t go to the party.

I was invited, but I didn’t go.

The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping.

Two nouns.

Go to the supermarket and buy oranges, mangoes, cherries, and apples.

We sell a wide range of vehicles: landrovers, cars, motorcycles, and landcruisers.

Two verbs.

Some exciting activities to do in Guyana include birdwatching and camping.

Guyana is made up of three counties: Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara.

Two adjectives.

Oranges and cherries are both good sources of Vitamin C.

Bananas and apples are good for the stomach.

Two Adverbs.

To avoid being caught, I crept stealthily and hastily into the house.

Two prepositions.

After the rain, there was water inside and outside of the room.