Coordinating Conjunctions | Basic Grammar for IELTS PDF Download

• Coordinating Conjunction

  • Coordinating conjunctions are essential elements in English grammar used to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.
  • These conjunctions, namely and, or, nor, yet, but, also, neither, nor, serve the purpose of joining elements that hold the same rank in a sentence.
  • Their function is to link independent clauses or coordinate items in a list, emphasizing equal significance.
  • For instance, in the sentence "I like tea and coffee," the coordinating conjunction "and" connects two items of equal importance, tea and coffee.
  • Another example could be: "He neither ate nor drank during the meeting." Here, "neither...nor" is a pair of coordinating conjunctions joining two negative clauses.

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions

• Sita was very hungry, so she ate all the cake.
so
• She ate chocolate, but I never eat biscuits; I don't like them.
but
• He's overweight, for he eats too much junk food.
for

Types of Coordinating Conjunctions

• Cumulative Conjunction
• Cumulative conjunctions add one sentence or phrase to another.
• Examples include: and, both, as well as, no less than, not only, but also, etc.
• Alternative Conjunction
• Alternative conjunctions present alternatives between two phrases or sentences.
• Examples include: or, neither... nor, either... or, otherwise, neither, nor, else, etc.
• Adversative Conjunction
• Adversative conjunctions express opposition or contrast between two sentences or phrases.
• Examples include: but, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, only, etc.

Illative Conjunction

• Illative conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions that indicate something inferred or concluded from another statement or fact.
• Example: as for, therefore, so, consequently.

List of Coordinating Conjunctions for Everyday Use

Conjunctive Adverbs

• Conjunctive adverbs, also known as connective or linking adverbs, are used to join one clause to another, indicating relationships like cause and effect, contrast, or order.
• They can be moved around in a sentence or clause like any other adverb.
• Example: We can prevent the spread of a virus; for example, we can sanitize our hands regularly.

Categories of Coordinating Conjunctions

Examples:

• He was both fined and imprisoned.
• Either Amit is angry or he feigns madness.
• Raman is slow, but he is steady.
• Vishal was found stealing, and therefore he was arrested.

Conclusion - Coordinating Conjunctions

• Coordinating conjunctions are connecting words or phrases that are equal to each other.
• Seven important coordinating conjunctions - For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So can be remembered through FANBOYS.

After reading the entire content, the essence of coordinating conjunctions can be understood as words that link elements of equal importance together.

Practice Questions on Coordinating Conjunctions

To assess your preparation and accuracy in Coordinating Conjunction, you should complete the following exercises. Fill the blanks with appropriate Coordinating Conjunctions [But, No less than, or but also, As well as, only, both, yet, so, Whereas]

• She_________ her lover is innocent.
• She must go to doctor _____ she will die.
• Sita ________ Geeta was absent there.
• Ram is slow___ but he is steady.
• Ramesh was all right; ______ he is fatigued.
• My friend is not only foolish ____ obstinate.
• The thief was ______fined and imprisoned.
• He was annoyed,____ he kept quiet.
• Rama is beautiful,______ her friends are ugly.
• Yash did not work hard; _____he fail.

Answer :

• No less than
• Or
• As well as
• But
• Only
• But also
• Both
• Yet
• Whereas

Explanation:

• She believed that no less than her lover is innocent. (Example: She defended him with unwavering faith.)
• She must go to the doctor or she will die. (Example: Urgency in seeking medical help is crucial.)
• Sita, as well as Geeta, was absent there. (Example: Both were missing from the event.)
• Ram is slow but he is steady. (Example: His progress may be gradual, but it's consistent.)
• Ramesh was all right; yet he is fatigued. (Example: Despite appearing fine, he's exhausted.)
• My friend is not only foolish but also obstinate. (Example: He not only makes poor decisions but sticks to them stubbornly.)
• The thief was fined and imprisoned. (Example: He faced both legal penalties.)
• He was annoyed, so he kept quiet. (Example: His irritation led to silence.)
• Rama is beautiful, whereas her friends are ugly. (Example: A clear contrast in appearances.)
• Yash did not work hard; hence, he failed. (Example: Lack of effort resulted in his failure.)

• Frequently Asked Questions on Coordinating Conjunctions

• What is a Coordinating Conjunction?

  Coordinating Conjunctions are used to join phrases, clauses, words, etc., which are of equal importance. They connect elements of equal rank. Examples of coordinating conjunctions include 'and', 'or', 'neither', 'yet', 'but', 'also', 'nor'.

  For instance, "Subhi and Ragini are going to school."

• What are the types of Coordinating Conjunctions?

  There are various types of Coordinating Conjunctions in the English language:

• Cumulative or Copulative Conjunction

  Cumulative conjunctions add one sentence or phrase to another. Examples include 'and', 'both', 'as well as', 'no less than', 'not only, but also'.

• I both love and admire him.
• Example: "I both love and admire him."

• Alternative or Disjunctive Conjunction

  These conjunctions present alternatives between two phrases or sentences. Examples are 'or', 'neither... nor', 'either... or', 'otherwise'.

• Piyush is neither my friend nor my enemy.
• Example: "Piyush is neither my friend nor my enemy."

• Adversative Conjunction

  Adversative conjunctions express opposition or contrast between two sentences or phrases. Examples include 'but', 'still', 'yet', 'nevertheless', 'whereas'.

• Ramesh is poor indeed, but his character is spotless.
• Example: "Ramesh is poor indeed, but his character is spotless."

Key Concepts on Conjunctions

• Ramesh, although poor, maintains an impeccable character.
• Illative Conjunctions: These are coordinating conjunctions that indicate an inference or conclusion drawn from a preceding statement. Examples include 'as for', 'therefore', 'so', and 'consequently'.
• Example: He arrived late for class, consequently missing the lecture.
• Coordinating Conjunction Examples:
• And
• But
• Or
• For
• Yet
• Either
• Then
• Therefore
• No less than
• Still
• While
• Nevertheless
• Whereas
• Otherwise
• Coordinating Conjunctions Definition: These conjunctions link phrases, clauses, or words of equal rank. Common examples are 'and', 'or', 'nor', 'yet', 'but', 'also', and 'neither'.
• FANBOYS: A mnemonic to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
• Types of Coordinating Conjunctions:

Cumulative Conjunction	Alternative Conjunction	Adversative Conjunction	Illative Conjunction
As, and, both...and, as well as, no less than, Not only, but also.	As or, either...or, neither...nor, otherwise, else	As but, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, while, only.	As for, therefore, so, consequently

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions in Sentences

There are various examples of Coordinating Conjunctions in the English language. Here are a few examples:

• Reena and Mahima were going to the market.
• Do you like oranges or apples?
• Anjali did not ask for you but him.
• You will not pass however hard you labor.
• Krishna is very gentle whereas his friend is very rude.
• She is foolish, and yet people like her.
• She will pass, for she works very hard.
• She was fine; only she was fatigued.

Can Subordinating Conjunctions Start a Sentence?

Yes, subordinating conjunctions can start a sentence when the dependent clause comes first. For example: "If you permit me, I will come there."

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