Coordinating Conjunctions: Definition, Types and Example Sentences

Coordinatin Conjunctions: Definition, Types and Example Sentences

Coordinating Conjunction

Conjunctions are used to connect words that connect parts of a sentence. The three most important coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or. Coordinating conjunctions can join verbs, nouns, adjectives, phrases, and two independent clauses.

Conjunctions Used to Join Two Words

Coordinating conjunctions could combine verbs, nouns, and adverbs. To give an example of these mergers:

• The example used to combine names: ”The children walked and jumped all over the home.”
• The example used to combine adjectives: Would you like toast or pizza for dinner?”
• The example used to combine adverbs: It looked old but dynamic.”

In addition, the and, or structure can be used to combine the elements in the examples by separating them with commas.

As an example: “The foods I consume the most are pizza, hamburger chips, spicy dishes, canned foods, and meats.”

Putting a comma after conjunction in a sentence is optional. But it is preferred to eliminate any ambiguity in the sentences and not to be misunderstood.

Conjunctions That Connect Two Phrases

Coordinating conjunctions are preferred to combine words with the same function in sentences. Thanks to these rules, harmony and a regular structure emerge in grammar. Examples of this situation will be given:

• “He looked tired but content.”
• “With throwing away many bills that come to my house, I can get them out of sight and out of mind.”

Conjunctions Joining Two Sentences

Coordination conjunctions are used to connect two independent clauses. Independent clauses are sentences that have meaning on their own. As an example of this situation:

• I love chocolate ice creams.
• I think they are not good for me.
• My doctor told me they were bad.
• I don’t want to listen to my doctor.

Coordination conjunctions make these sentences look more fluent and neat.

• I like chocolate ice creams but I think they are not good for me. My doctor told me they were bad, but I don’t want to listen to my doctor.

If it is necessary to combine two sentences with regulatory conjunction, care should be taken to place a comma before the conjunction.

• “I don’t want to throw away my chocolate ice cream, nor do I want to listen to my doctor.
• “I love chocolate factories and one day I will own a chocolate factory.”

Starting a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction

Sentences can be started with a coordinating conjunction. But this can disrupt the flow of the sentence and the order of the writings. Therefore, when you start the sentences with the coordination conjunction, you should be careful not to use more than such sentences in your articles.