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SOME USEFUL TIPS FOR USING COORDINATING AND CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS

 

1. Coordinating conjunctions

There are seven coordinators, which are also called coordinating conjunctions. You can remember them by the phrase FAN BOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). The following sentences illustrate the meanings of the seven FAN BOYS coordinators. 

 

To add a reason

For

Japanese people live longer than most other nationalities, for they eat healthful diets.

To add a similar, equal idea

And

They eat a lot of fish and vegetables, and they eat lightly.

To add a negative equal idea

Nor

They do not eat a lot of red meat, nor do they eat many dairy products.

Note: Nor means “and not.” It joins two negative independent clauses. Notice that question word order is used after nor.

To add an opposite idea

But

Diet is one factor in how long people live, but it is not the only factor.

To add an alternative possibility

Or

However, people should limit the amount of animal fat in their diets, or they risk getting heart disease.

To add an unexpected or surprising continuation

Yet

Cigarette smoking is a factor in longevity, yet Japanese and other long-lived Asians have a very high rate of tobacco use.

To add an expected result

So

Doctors say that stress is another longevity factor, so try to avoid stress if you wish to live a longer life.

Note: - There is a comma after the first independent clause.

  - But and yet have similar meanings: They both signal that an opposite idea is coming. But is preferred when the two clauses are direct opposites. When the second clause is an unexpected or surprising continuation because of information given in the first clause, yet is preferred. (But is acceptable for both meanings; yet for only one meaning.) 

2. Correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions also connect sentence elements of the same kind. However, unlike coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs

 

both...and

not only...but also

either...or

neither...nor

whether...or
 

Remember: correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs. They join similar elements. When joining singular and plural subjects, the subject closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural. 

 

CONJUNCTIONS

WHAT IS LINKED

SAMPLE SENTENCE

both...and

  1. Subject + subject

Both my sister and my brother play the piano.

either...or

Noun + noun

Tonight's program is either Mozart or Beethoven.

neither...nor

Subject + subject

Neither the orchestra nor the chorus was able to overcome the terrible acoustics in the church

not only...but also

Sentence +sentence

Not only does Sue raise money for the symphony, but she also ushers at all of their concerts.

 
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