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Coordinating Conjunction – Definition, Types and Usage with Examples

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We are going to talk about one of the most important topic of English grammar, “Coordinating Conjunction,” in this article. This is an important article for competitive exams and a few questions also come from this topic in competitive examination.

Coordinating Conjunction

These are used to add two equal importance/ranks of phrases, clauses, words etc. The literal meaning of coordinate is equal rank. And, or, nor, yet, but, also, neither, nor are called coordinating conjunction. 
So we can say Coordinating Conjunctions are those conjunctions which are used to join together clauses, phrases etc. of equal rank.

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions

Various example of Coordinating Conjunctions are: and, but, or, for, yet, either, then, therefore, no less than, still, while, nevertheless, whereas, otherwise etc.
 

  • Sita was very hungry, so she ate all the cake.
  • She eat chocolate, but I never eat biscuits; I don’t like them
  • He’s overweight, for he eats too many junk food.

Types of Coordinating Conjunctions 

We can see a few types of coordinating conjunction in the English language. These types are given below:

Cumulative Conjunction

Cumulative conjunctions are types of coordinating conjunction which is used to add one sentence or phrase with another.

Examples: and, both, as well as, no less than, not only, but also etc.

Alternative Conjunction

Alternative conjunctions are types of coordinating conjunction which is used to present alternatives between two phrases or sentences.
Examples: or, neither… nor, either…or, otherwise, neither, nor , else etc.

Adversative Conjunction

Adversative conjunctions are types of coordinating conjunction which express opposition or contrast between two sentences or phrases.
Examples: but, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, only etc.

Illative Conjunction

Illative conjunctions are those coordinating conjunction which expresses something inferred or concluded from another statement or fact. 
Example: as for, therefore, so, consequently.

List of Coordinating Conjunctions for Everyday Use

and but or
for  yet either
then therefore  no less than
still while whereas
nevertheless otherwise nor
As well as  so neither
not only but also only

Conjunctive Adverbs

These adverbs are also called connective adverbs or linking adverbs. These adverbs use to join one clause to another. It can also be used to show relationships such as cause and effect, contrast, or order. Conjunctive adverbs can be moved around in a sentence or clause just like any other adverb.
Example:
We can prevent the spread of corona; for instance, we can sanitize our hands regularly.

Categories of Coordinating Conjunctions

Cumulative Conjunction Alternative Conjunction Adversative Conjunction Illative Conjunction
As, and, both. And, as well as, no less than, Not only , but also. as or, either……or, neither….nor, otherwise, else. as , But, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, while, only. as for, therefore, so, consequently.
He was both fined and imprisoned Either Amit is angry or he feigns madness  Raman is slow, but he is steady Vishal was found stealing, and therefore he was arrested

Conclusion – Coordinating Conjunctions

After reading the whole article we can summarize coordinating conjunction as connecting words or phrases that are equal to each other. Seven important coordinating conjunction -For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So can be remembered through FANBOYS.

Practice Questions on Coordinating Conjunctions

To assess your preparation and accuracy in Coordinating Conjunction, you should complete the following exercises. Fill the blanks with appropriate Coordinating Conjunctions [But, No less than, or but also, As well as, only, both, yet, so, Whereas]

  1. She_________ her lover is innocent.
  2. She must go to doctor _____ she will die.
  3. Sita ________ Geeta was absent there.
  4. Ram is slow___ but he is steady.
  5. Ramesh was all right; ______ he is fatigued.
  6. My friend is not only foolish ____ obstinate.
  7. The thief was ______fined and imprisoned.
  8. He was annoyed,____ he kept quiet.
  9. Rama is beautiful,______ her friends are ugly.
  10. Yash did not work hard; _____he fail.

Answer :

  1. No less than
  2. Or
  3. As well as
  4. But
  5. Only
  6. But also
  7. Both
  8. Yet
  9. Whereas
  10. so

Frequently Asked Questions on Coordinating Conjunctions

Que 1. What is a Coordinating Conjunction?

Ans. These are used to add two phrases, clauses, words, etc. that are of equal rank and importance. Coordinates mean “equal rank.” Coordinating conjunctions include and, or, neither, yet, but, also, neither, nor. Therefore, we can say that co-ordinate conjunctions are those conjunctions that are used to connect clauses, and phrases that are of equal rank.

For example- Subhi and Ragini are going to school.

Que 2. What are the types of Coordinating Conjunctions? 

Ans. We can see a few types of Coordinating Conjunctions in the English language. These types are given below:

Cumulative or Copulative conjunction

Coordinating conjunctions which are used to add one sentence or phrase to another sentence or phrase are termed Cumulative or Copulative conjunctions.
Examples: and, both, as well as, no less than, not only, but also etc.

  • I both love and admire him.

Alternative or Disjunctive conjunction

 Coordinating conjunctions which are used to present alternatives between two phrases or sentences are termed as Alternative or Disjunctive conjunction.
Examples: or, neither… nor, either…or, otherwise, neither, nor , else etc.
• Piyush is neither my friend nor my enemy.
 

Adversative conjunction

 Coordinating conjunctions which are used to express opposition or contrast between two sentences or phrases are termed as Adversative Conjunctions.
Examples: but, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, only etc.

  • Ramesh is poor indeed, but his character is spotless.
     

Illative conjunction

Coordinating conjunctions which are used to express something inferred or concluded from another statement or fact is termed as Illative conjunction.
Example: as for, therefore, so, consequently.
 

  • He reached the class late, so he missed the lecture.

Que 3. Write some examples of Coordinating  Conjunctions

Ans. And, but, or, for, yet, either, then, therefore, no less than, still, while, nevertheless, whereas, otherwise etc. are different examples of Coordinating  Conjunctions.

Que 4. What are Coordinating Conjunctions?

Ans. Conjunctions which are used to add two equal ranks of phrases, clauses, words etc. are termed as Coordinating Conjunctions. The literal meaning of coordinate is equal rank. And, or, nor, yet, but, also, neither, nor are called coordinating conjunction.
And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet—these are the seven coordinating conjunctions. 
One can remember it as FANBOYS.

Que 5. What are the types of Coordinating Conjunctions?

 

CUMULATIVE CONJUNCTION   ALTERNATIVE CONJUNCTION ADVERSATIVE CONJUNCTION  ILLATIVE CONJUCTION
As, and, both…and, as well as, no less than, Not only, but also. as or, either……or, neither….nor, otherwise, else as But, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, while, only. as for, therefore, so, consequently

Que 6. Write some examples of Coordinating Conjunctions in sentences

Ans. There are different examples of Coordinating Conjunctions in the English language.  Given below are few examples of Coordinating conjunction in sentences:
 

  • Reena and Mahima were going to market.
  • Do you like oranges or apples?
  • Anjali did not ask for you but him.
  • You will not pass however hard you labour.
  • Krishna is very gentle whereas his friend is very rude.
  • She is foolish, and yet people like her.
  • She will pass, for she works very hard.
  • She was fine; only she was fatigued

Que 7. Can subordinating conjunctions start a sentence?

Ans.  Yes, It can start a sentence, when the dependent clause comes first.
Ex: If you permit me, I will come there.



Last Updated : 02 Mar, 2023
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