Coordination and

Subordination
Emphasis and Relationships of Ideas
 What is coordination?

• Linking ideas of equal importance

• Process gives writing harmony by bringing together

related independent clauses

• Clause: a group of words with its own subject and verb

Four methods to
coordination

• Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

--- FANBOYS)

• Subordinating conjunctions (although… though… nor;

not only … but also; … both … and)
Four methods to
coordination
• Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs
• ; furthermore
• ; therefore
• ; for example
• ; however
• Semicolon
• Independent clause; independent clause
Coordinating Conjunctions and Their
Meanings
Coordinating Meaning Function
Conjunction

for because To show a cause

and also To link ideas
nor negative To reinforce negative
but however To contrast ideas
or choice To show possibilities
yet however To contrast
so therefore To show result
Examples
• Our family has a cat, and we also have two dogs.
• Sophie is a Collie, but Grice is a mixed-breed.
• Sophie is not much of a lady, nor is Grice a gentleman.
Correlative Conjunctions
• Convey balance
• Work in pairs, so elements joined must be grammatically
equal
• both . . . and
not only . . . but also
not . . . but
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
whether . . . or
as . . . as
 Examples
• Either the dogs pester the cat in play, or they chase him
in earnest.
• The dogs either pester the cat in play or chase him in
earnest.
• The cat neither plays with the dogs, nor does he like to
sleep with them.
• Not only does Grice chase our cat indoors, but he also
chases squirrels or any other small animal outside.
 Semicolon and
Conjunctive Adverbs
• The conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover,
nevertheless, consequently, as a result are used to create
complex relationships between ideas.
• These are also commonly used conjunctives which are use to
indicate different relationships between the sentences.
• When we are using these kinds of conjunctives we need to
decide which ideas can be combined to give the exact meaning.
• The incorrect usage of these conjunctions to represent the
relationships between the ideas leads to the change in the
meaning.
 Conjunctive Adverbs
Function Conjunctive Adverb
addition again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important,
finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first
place, last, moreover, next, second, still, too
comparison also, in the same way, likewise, similarly
concession granted, naturally, of course
Contrast although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time,
despite that, even so, even though, for all that, however, in
contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding,
on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, regardless,
still, though, yet
Conjunctive Adverbs
Function Conjunctive Adverb
Emphasis certainly, indeed, in fact, of course
example or after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance,
illustration in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words, in short, it is
true, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate,
thus, truly
summary all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in
conclusion, in other words, in particular, in short, in
simpler terms, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore,
to put it differently, to summarize
time sequence after a while, afterward, again, also, and then, as long as,
at last, at length, at that time, before, besides, earlier,
eventually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in
addition, in the first place, in the past, last, lately,
meanwhile, moreover, next, now, presently, second,
shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still,
subsequently, then, thereafter, too, until, until now, when
Examples
• The immediate effects of HEC fees on students are well
documented; however, the long-term effects have yet to be
considered.
• Many argued that higher education gives life and career
opportunities to a select group in society; therefore, HECs fees
were justified.
• Paying HECs fees upfront means that students begin work without
a HECs debt; moreover, upfront payments attract a 20 percent
discount.
• Many argue for the right to free education; otherwise, they
consider that higher education fees should at least be means tested.
Semicolon

• Semi­colon is used to link two independent clauses that

are of equal importance. Generally we represent the cause
and result kind of sentences separated using a semicolon.
• Example
• Stella went to the market; she brought fresh vegetables.
Coordinating
Independent Clauses

• Decide which ideas can and should be coordinated

• Select the method of coordination that shows the
appropriate relationship between ideas
 Examples
• Uncoordinated: Years ago most baseball players were recruited right
out of high school or from the minor leagues. Today, most recruits
play college baseball and then move on the the major leagues.
• Coordinated: Years ago most baseball players were recruited right
out of high school or from the minor leagues, but today most
recruits play college baseball and then move on the the major
leagues.
• Coordinated: Years ago most baseball players were recruited right
out of high school or from the minor leagues; however, today most
recruits play college baseball and then move on the the major
leagues.
Avoid Stringy Sentences
• Mount Everest is in the Himalayas and it is the world’s
tallest mountain and so climbing it is very difficult so
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Horgay first climbed it in
1963 and everyone applauded their efforts.
Revised for clarity and
Emphasis
• Because Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, is the world’s
tallest mountain, climbing it is very difficult. It was not
until 1963 that the first explorers, Edmund Hillary and
Tenzing Horgay, conquered the mountain to great
acclaim.
Subordination
• Coordination shows the relationship among equal
independent clauses.
• Subordination shows the relationship between ideas of
unequal rank.
• Subordination makes one idea more important that the
other (makes the dependent clause support the
independent clause)
Three reasons to
subordinate
• To trace ideas unfolding
• To show specific relationships among ideas
• To stress one idea over another
Subordination can give writing and speech greater logic,
coherence, and unity
 Sub. Conjunctions and
Relationships
Relationship Subordinating Conjunction
Cause, reason As, because
Choice Whether, rather, than
Condition Even if, if, unless, provided that
Contrast Though, even though, although
Effect, result So, so that, in order that, that
Location Whenever, where
Time Once, whenever, since, until, when,
while, after, before
Examples
• Not Subordinated: You lick a postage stamp. You
consume one tenth of a calorie.
• Subordinated: When you lick a postage stamp, you
consume one tenth of a calorie.
• Not Subordinated: You are a typical American man. You
spend four hours a year tying your tie.
• Subordinated: If you are a typical American man, you
spend four hours a year tying your tie.
Example
• The sky became a frightening gray. The mood was
ominous.
• Coordinated: The sky became a frightening gray, and the
mood became ominous.
• Subordinated: As the sky became a frightening gray, the
mood became ominous. (focus on mood)
• Subordinated: As the mood became ominous, the sky
became a frightening gray. (focus on sky)