THE STRUCTURE

OF
COORDINATION
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 Coordination
In English grammar, coordination or
parataxis is the joining of words,
phrases, or clauses of the same type to
give them equal emphasis and
importance.
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 Coordination combines sentences
of equal value and uses a
coordinating conjunction and
comma before a coordinator.

Note: Using coordination allows you to

create Compound Sentence Structure.

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 Coordinators
You may find it helpful to remember the
acronym FANBOYS (coordinating conjunction
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) between two
Independent Clauses (IC, FANBOYS, IC).

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 Examples: FANBOYS
for (effect/cause):

Jasmine is afraid of dogs, for she was

bitten by a dog when she was young.

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 Examples: FANBOYS
and (addition):
Isaiah lives in Livermore, and his parents
live nearby in Pleasanton.

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 Examples: FANBOYS
nor (addition of negatives):
Mary doesn’t want to go to college,
nor does she want to find a job.

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 Examples: FANBOYS
but (contrast):
Abdul likes to read, but he prefers to watch
television.

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 Examples: FANBOYS
or (alternative):
Jose thinks he wants to study
math, or he might be interested in
firefighting.
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 Examples: FANBOYS
yet (contrast):
Justin really likes to run in the morning,
yet he hates getting up early.

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 Examples: FANBOYS
so (cause/effect):
Maria loves dogs, so she went to the
animal shelter to adopt one.

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 Joining Sentences With
Coordinators
When a coordinator connects to
sentences, place a comma before
the coordinator.
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 Examples:
WITHOUT COORDINATOR
Cycling class is a tough workout. I still
attend three times a week.
WITH COORDINATOR
Cycling class is a tough workout, but I
still attend three times a week.
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 Examples:
WITHOUT COORDINATOR
Erika enjoys Pilates class. She is very
strong.
WITH COORDINATOR
Erika enjoys Pilates class, so she is very
strong.
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Conjunctive Adverbs as
Coordinators
You can also use conjunctive adverbs as
coordinators.
If you are joining two sentences with a
conjunctive adverb, you need to have a
semi-colon before the word and a comma
after it.

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 Example:
However (contrast):
The shop opened again in June; however, it
had closed for good by September.

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 Example:
therefore (cause/effect):

Erin takes regular pilates classes;

therefore, she is very strong.

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 Example:
for example (general to specific):

There are many fun exercises; for example,

I take kickboxing and weight lifting.

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 Example:
in fact (emphasis):
Carla is obsessed with running; in fact,
he is out running right now.

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Thank you for listening

MENDIOLA, M.S.
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