COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS

COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS

Coordinate conjunctions join similar words,phrases or clausesto each other (i.e., to join an adjectiveto an adjective or anounto a noun).  The most common co-ordinate conjunctions are: and, but, or, for, nor, so and yet.

The conjunctios and,butandorare the most common by far. 

Examples:

The waiters served sandwichesandcakes.(joins two nouns)
He is a smallbutaggressive dog.(joins two adjectives)
The managerorhis secretary will be with you in a moment.(joins two nouns)
He typed the letter quickly but accurately.(joins two adverbs)

In the examples above, the conjunctions all join words.  As a general rule, when a conjunction joins two words, there is no need to precede it withacomma.  However, when it joins two clauses, it is usual to place a comma before the conjunction.

Examples:

The applicant must be able to singanddance.(no comma)
The applicant must be able to sing, andshe must be able to dance.(joins two clauses – comma required)
 
Interactive example:
  

Pat and I slept, but Julie stayed awake the whole way. The short, simple conjunctions are called “coordinating conjunctions”: and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar.  A coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and structure: + Look at these examples – the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]: I like [tea] and [coffee]. [Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee]. Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join. When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction: I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian at university. However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential: She is kind so she helps people. When “and” is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional: He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum. He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.