coordinating conjunction

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Coordinating Conjunction

Definition: A coordinating conjunction is a special type of word that connects two equal parts of a sentence, such as words, phrases, or clauses. The most common coordinating conjunctions in English are "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet."

Usage Instructions:

• Connecting Words: Use coordinating conjunctions to link two words or phrases that are similar in structure. For example:

  • Example: "I like apples and oranges."

• Connecting Clauses: You can also use them to join two complete thoughts (independent clauses). When you do this, it's often a good idea to place a comma before the conjunction.

  • Example: "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining."

Advanced Usage:

• Compound Sentences: A compound sentence uses one or more coordinating conjunctions to connect two independent clauses.

  • Example: "She loves to read, and he enjoys writing."

• Parallel Structure: When using coordinating conjunctions, it's important to keep the connected parts parallel in structure.

  • Example: "He likes swimming, running, and cycling." (All activities are gerunds)

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of the term "coordinating conjunction," but you might encounter related terms like "subordinating conjunction" (which connects a dependent clause to an independent clause).

Different Meanings:

• While the term "conjunction" generally refers to a joining word, in a broader sense, "coordinating" means bringing parts of equal importance together.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for coordinating conjunctions as they serve a specific grammatical function, but you can think of "joiner" as a casual term.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that involve coordinating conjunctions themselves, but you might find phrases like:
  • "Give and take" (implying cooperation and compromise)
  • "More or less" (indicating approximation)

Summary:

Remember, coordinating conjunctions are essential for making your writing and speaking clearer and more connected. They help you combine ideas smoothly, making your communication more effective!

Academic

Noun

1. a conjunction (like `and' or `or') that connects two identically constructed grammatical constituents
2. the coordination by conjunction of linguistic units of the same status