Coordinating Conjunctions

What is a conjunction?
A conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect
words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.

I like cooking and eating, but I don’t like washing dishes

afterward. Sophie is clearly exhausted, yet she insists on playing
computer games till dawn.

Examples of Conjunctions
In the following examples, the conjunctions in bold are for
easy recognition:

o I have bought a book and a pen.

o He is waving his arms and (is) shouting at us.
o You can have peach ice cream or a slice of pizza.
o Neither the black dress nor the gray one looks right on
me.
o He is sick, so he can’t go to work.
o I try very hard in school, yet I am not receiving good
grades.
Parallel Structure
Make sure that the words or phrases joined by conjunctions
are parallel (they have the same grammatical function in a
sentence). This use of conjunction is called “parallel structure.”
adverb and adverb

 I work quickly and carefully.

noun and noun

 He received a pocket calculator and a book.

gerund or gerund

 I enjoy reading novels or watching television.

adjective but adjective

 These shoes are old but comfortable.

infinitive or infinitive

 He wants to watch TV or (to) listen to some music.

verb and verb

 He ate chocolate and drank tea.

Parallel Structure: Using Commas

Azar, B. S. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar (Fourth Edition). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education. Chapter 16,
Pg 354

Examples
This comma is optional.
The price of the meal includes a salad, a main dish, and dessert.
The price of the meal includes a salad and a main dish. (no comma)

This comma is optional.

He gets up at 6 o’clock, has a shower, and eats his breakfast.
Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and

clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence.
And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet — are the seven
coordinating conjunctions. To remember them, the
acronym FANBOYS can be used.
1. F = for
2. A = and
3. N = nor
4. B = but
5. O = or
6. Y = yet
7. S = so

Examples:

 I have bought a phone and a computer.

 He can run, but he cannot swim.
 He had nothing to do, so he cleaned his apartment.
 The food is delicious but a bit spicy.
 You can pick up your package today or it will be
delivered to you tomorrow.
Paired Conjunctions
Paired conjunctions, also called correlative conjunctions,
are pairs of conjunctions that work together. They draw
attention to both parts of the parallel structure.

Azar, B. S. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar (Fourth Edition). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education. Chapter 16,
Pg 358
Examples:
o Both football and basketball are popular in Saudi Arabia.
o Not only my brother but also my friends like motor racing.
o Not only my friends but also my brother likes motor racing.
o I’ll take either chemistry or physics next quarter.
o Neither England nor Canada is in Asia.
o Neither Abdullah nor his parents speak Spanish.
o Neither his parents nor Abdullah speaks Spanish.

Sources and References:

Azar, B. S. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar (Fourth Edition). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education. Chapter 16,
Pg 358

http://stella_amanda.staff.gunadarma.ac.id/Downloads/
files/68879/CONJUNCTION.pdf
 Worksheet

Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.

1. You should invite Omar __________ Khaled to the party.

A. but
B. and
C. so
D. neither
2. Both my brother __________ my sister read books in their free
time.
A. and
B. but
C. nor
D. neither
3. Our car won’t start, __________ we called a mechanic.
A. so
B. and
C. both
D. but
4. Neither his wife nor Omar __________ planning to travel to Africa
this year.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. am
5. He is a busy man, ____________ he always finds time for going
shopping three times a week.
A. and
B. but
C. but also
D. nor
6. He speaks neither English __________ Arabic.
A. nor
B. or
C. both
D. either
7. You can reach that island either by boat __________ by plane.
A. nor
B. so
C. or
D. neither
8. The employee of the month is __________ intelligent but also
creative.
A. neither
B. but
C. not only
D. either
9. I spent one week in Dammam, _________ I couldn’t go to the
beach.
A. and
B. or
C. but
D. either
 Complete the sentences with the correct conjunctions
from the box.

but nor and or so

 He can drive, _________ he can’t swim.

 Both Ahmad _______ his brother will attend the
party.
 Neither Mr. John _________ his teammates were
able to save the lion cub.
 She sold his house ________ left the city.
 He is either German __________ English.
 It was raining, _________ he wore a raincoat and
took an umbrella.

True/False
Conjunctions only join adjectives.
o True
o False

Paired conjunctions are also called correlative conjunctions.

o True
o False
Words or phrases joined by coordinating conjunctions don’t have the
same grammatical function in a sentence.

o True
o False

How do coordinating conjunctions join words or phrases in a parallel

structure?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.

What is a conjunction?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.

Write your own sentences by using coordinating conjunctions in

the parenthesis.
___________________________________________________ (and)

_____________________________________________________ (but)

____________________________________________________ (or)

____________________________________________________ (so)