CoordinationNo, not matching outfits, but grammar

Coordination

• Coordination is a way of adding sentences and clauses together. In this type of sentence, the 2 or more sentences (clauses) which are combined are equal partners. One clause is not more important than the other grammatically.

• Sometimes you want to show that two or more ideas are equally important in a sentence.

• In such cases, you’re looking to coordinate. Sentence coordination links ideas of equal importance.

• This process gives your writing balance by bringing together related independent clauses. Coordination involves using the right word or mark of punctuation to show different relationships between ideas.

Determining Equal Rank

• How do we know when clauses are of equal rank?

• The rule is that a word equals another word (wine and roses); a phrase equals another phrase (to be or not to be); an independent clause equals another independent clause (I’m going, and I’m not coming back); and a dependent clause equals another dependent clause (He said school desegregation would follow if the court rules in the group’s favor or if the group won enough seats on the board).

Coordinating Conjunctions

• Words that connect clauses in this way are called coordinating conjunctions and the most common ones are: and, or, but, so.

• and is used to join clauses that contain additional information. I bought a ticket and I got on the bus.

• or is used to join clauses that contain choices or alternatives. Write me a letter or send an e-mail message.

• but is used to join clauses that contain opposing ideas. I arrived early but no one was there.

• so is used to join clauses that contain ideas of cause and effect. The jacket didn't fit so I took it back to the store. 

Coordinating Conjunctions

• If a coordinate conjunction connects two independent clauses, put a comma before the conjunction.

• Don’t use the comma before coordinating conjunctions that merely join two words.

Correlative Conjunctions

• Link sentences with a correlative conjunction if you want to show a balance between two independent clauses.

• either . . . or

• neither . . . nor

• not only . . . but

• also both . . . and

Semicolon

• There is only one punctuation mark that can join two sentences into one. This is the semicolon (;). Notice that it’s a combination of a period and a comma. Like a period, it signals the end of a complete statement. Like a comma, it signals that the sentence continues. But unlike a period or a comma, it joins two clauses into one sentence.

Semicolon

• Link independent clauses with a semicolon to show that the ideas are of equal importance.

• Examples:

• A cause is what happens; the effect is the result.

• The mechanic adjusted the carburetor; Tina’s car now runs smoothly.

Semicolon Math

• Formula for semicolon coordination

+ + ;; + + main clause.main clause.Main clauseMain clause

Main clauseMain clause + + ;; + + main clause.main clause.transitiontransition + + ,, + +

Conjunctive Adverbs

• Sometimes the logical connection between the two independent clauses joined by a semicolon needs a boost.

• The additional word needed to make that boost is a conjunctive adverb or a transitional word.

• Like a conjunction, it shows a link between two ideas. And, like an adverb, it explains how or in what way the ideas are related.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Transitional Word Acts like this joining word

But in this way

Furthermore, moreover, also

And In addition

However But In contrast

Nevertheless Yet In contrast

Therefore, consequently So As a result

Otherwise, instead Or As an alternative

Meanwhile, then, later, afterward

(none) Shows time relationships

• Remember: the conjunctive adverb doesn’t join two clauses; the semicolon joins them. Proper punctuation is important•Rules:1.The semicolon comes first2.The conjunctive adverb come next 3.The comma comes last

In Summary

• Use one of the coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), preceded by a comma (,)

• Use a semicolon (;) when the logical connection between two clauses is obvious

• Add transitional words such as however, therefore, and nevertheless after the semicolon if necessary

• Be careful not to connect unrelated ideas, establish a vague connection among ideas, or connect too many ideas in one sentence. These stylistic choices often create confusing sentences.

Joining Sentences Through Subordination

Helping you express logical relationships and achieve sentence variety

Subordination

• Coordination joins equals, but not all ideas are equal. In the following sentence, for example, is the first idea as important as the second?– I came home from work, and I found an eight-foot cobra

snake in my living room.

• These ideas shouldn’t be joined by and. They need to be joined in a way that expresses their inequality:– When I came home from work, I found an eight-foot cobra

snake in my living room.

• Now the less important idea is subordinate (sub = lower, ordinate = level) to the more important one.

Subordinating with Clauses

• One type of subordination creates a dependent clause - which depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning. The dependent clause contains the less important idea. The independent clause contains the more important idea.

• Like an adverb, the dependent clause often tells when, why, or where the idea in the independent clause takes place.

• Dependent clauses begin with words like when, because, and where.

Subordinate Conjunctions

• Typically introduces dependent clauses that modify the independent clause (acts as an adverb) by explaining cause, contrast, reason or time.

• Connects two unequal parts of a sentence.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

• When conjunctions– After

– As

– As soon as

– Before

– Once

– Since

– Until

– When

– While

• Why conjunctions– Because

– Since

• Where conjunctions– Where

– Wherever

Other subordinating conjunctions set up a contrast or condition:

• Contrasting conjunctions:– Although

– Even though

– Whereas

• Conditional conjunctions:– If

– unless

Punctuating Dependent Clauses

• Place a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence.– When the alarm clock rings in the morning, I put the

pillow over my head. • Do not use a comma before a dependent clause

at the end of a sentence (but you may use a comma before a long clause beginning with the words unless, although, or since).– I put the pillow over my head when the alarm clock

rings in the morning.– I always get to work on time, although my hair may

not be combed or my shirt buttoned.

Subordinating with Phrases

• A less important idea can also be subordinated by making it into a phrase (a group of words that don’t include a complete subject and verb).

• Only dependent clauses that begin with the conjunctions after, while, when, since, before, and although or with an –ing word can be converted into a phrase.

• A phrase that begins a sentence requires a comma.

Example:

• Dependent Clause:– After the Native American Jim Thorpe

became the most famous athlete in track and field, he competed in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.

• Phrase:– After becoming the most famous athlete in

track and field, the Native American Jim Thorpe competed in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.

In Summary…

• Sentence subordination connects two unequal but related clauses with a subordinating conjunction to form a complex sentence.

• Use a subordinating conjunction such as if, when, although, or because to relate a less important idea to a more important one.

• Make the less important idea into a phrase beginning either with a word such as when, while, or after or with an –ing word.