Coordination and Subordination

Mitch Kesek
How to use:
Coordinating Conjunctions
Conjunctive Adverbs
Subordinating Conjunctions
Relative Adverbs

Coordination and Subordination

Both function to connect two complete

sentences (or independent clauses) into a
single sentence. They are Connector words.
Used to create unity and cohesiveness
They often imply a meaning, set a certain
tone, or give more context and information.

Example
1) The forecast is calling for rain.
The forecast is our subject, and calling is our verb.
2) I will wear a warm coat.
I is our subject, and wear is our verb.

Example
1) The forecast is calling for rain.
The forecast is our subject, and calling is our verb.
2) I will wear a warm coat.
I is our subject, and wear is our verb.
Remember, the rain and the warm coat are not our
subjects. The rain is the detail of the forecast. The warm
coat is the detail of what I am wearing.

Make Connections
They can be joined into one sentence, to imply being a single
cohesive thought, using either Coordination or Subordination.
The choice between the two techniques boils down to the
implied meanings, emotions, or ideas of the sentence that we
are trying to convey.
To decide which to use, consider how important our ideas are,
compared with one another.
What is tipping the scale of balance that are we trying to
project with our new sentence?
Which original sentence is of more-or-less importance to our
central idea, or are they equal?

Coordination
We use Coordination when our ideas are of
EQUAL IMPORTANCE
With Coordination we can use either
Coordinating Conjunctions or Conjunctive Adverbs.
We can remember the seven Coordinating
Conjunctions with the acronym of F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
This acronym stands for:
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

This is a complete list of the coordinating

conjunctions, and any conjunctions besides
FANBOYS are subordinating conjunctions.
These are useful connector words and it is
important to recognize them when you see
them. Just remember FANBOYS:
For And Nor But Or Yet So

Example of Coordination using

Coordinating Conjunctions:
The forecast is calling for rain, so I will
wear a warm coat.
or
The forecast is calling for rain, and I will
wear a warm coat.
or
I will wear a warm coat, for the forecast is
calling for rain.

Equality with choice

All statements are presented as equal importance,
regardless of which original sentence idea comes first, or
of which conjunction we chose to use.
First two come off quite casual and relaxed, while the last
sounds overly official and formal. FANBOYS can
sometimes seem quite regal and queen-like if you aren't
careful.
The Final Word: In the first two examples the last
thought of the sentence is the warm coat, and in the last
example the last thought is of the rain forecast. What
effect might this have on the reader? Always remember
to order your statements accordingly and align your
writing with your ideas and the style you want to convey.

Conjunctive Adverbs
Are used to show sentences as having a
cause-and-effect relationship, as being insequence, as being in contrast to one another,
or to show various comparisons between each
other.
This is one way to align your concepts with
your writing.

Example of Coordination using

Conjunctive Adverbs:
The forecast is calling for rain; therefore, I
will wear a warm coat.
or
The forecast is calling for rain;
consequently, I will wear a warm coat.
or
I will wear a warm coat; besides, the
forecast is calling for rain.

SUBORDINATION
connects a more important idea to a less important idea.

With Subordination we can use either:

Subordinating Conjunctions or Relative Pronouns.
Any conjunction that is not a part of the Coordinating
Conjunctions word group FANBOYS will probably be a
Subordinating Conjunction.

AAAWWUBBIS
To help remember some main subordinating conjunctions,
there is an acronym of AAAWWUBBIS but it is not a complete
list, and there are many that are not included.
This acronym stands for:
After
Although
As
When
While
Until
Because
Before
If
Since

Example of Subordination using

Subordinating Conjunctions:
The forecast is calling for rain, although I
will wear a warm coat.
or
If the forecast is calling for rain, I will
wear a warm coat.
or
I will wear a warm coat because the
forecast is calling for rain.

Relative Pronouns
are words that make clauses dependent by
referring directly to a subject. It sometimes
helps to reorder the sentence.
Relative Pronouns include:
that, when, which, who, whom, whose

Example of Subordination using

Relative Pronouns
The forecast, which is calling for rain,
means I will wear a warm coat.
or
When the forecast called for rain, I wore a
warm coat.
or
I, who wears a warm coat when the
forecast calls for rain.

Just remember:
COORDINATION is
EQUAL IMPORTANCE
Coordinating Conjunctions are your FANBOYS
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Conjunctive Adverbs show our sentences as
cause-and-effect, as in-sequence, as incontrast, or to compare.
Therefore, Consequently, Besides, Also

Order your statements according to your

concepts; remember your final word.

Just remember:
SUBORDINATION
means your sentences are
NOT EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT
Any conjunction not included in FANBOYS is probably a
subordinating conjunction.
Because, although, after, before, etc.
Has implications, one sentence becomes more important.
Relative pronouns refer DIRECTLY to the subject (and
comes right before or after the subject.) Often rearranges
the new sentence to flow better.
That, when, which, who, whom, whose, etc.

Thank You!