Identifying the Conjunction as Coordinating or Subordinating Part 3

Coordinating Conjunction

Subordinating Conjunction

Correlative Conjunction

A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses that are independent or of equal rank.

The following words are coordinating conjunctions:

for

and

nor

but

or

yet

so  [mnemonic: fanboys]

Example:

John ate pizza and hamburgers.

A subordinating conjunction is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause (or dependent clause).

Subordinating conjunctions include words like although, after, before, whether, soon, therefore, etc.

Example:

Although she ate the food, she did not like it.

A correlative conjunction is always used in pairs and connects words or statements of equal rank.

The correlative conjunctions include words like both/and, either/or, neither/nor, etc.

Example:

Does she like both pizza and hot dogs?