Coordination and Parallel

Structure
Coordinating Conjunctions:
and, but, so or, nor, yet, for

Correlative, or paired conjunctions:

both…and, not only…but also, either…or,
neither…nor
Coordinating and correlative conjunctions join:
Words
• Mais and Yuri fled the war in Armenia.
• The book is neither well written nor interesting.
Phrases
• They are glad to be in the United States but are still homesick.
• Both students who won awards and the teachers who taught them
were at the awards ceremony.
Clauses
• If you have a 4.0 GPA and if you graduate on time, many good
companies will hire you.
• They had to flee their country, for they had no future there.
Use a comma when two independent
clauses are joined by a coordinating or
correlative conjunction.
• Students write during class time, and they
also write at home.
• Not only is he a good student, but he is
also a nice person.
Do not use a comma when two phrases or
words are joined.
• Computer scientists and engineers need
to be good writers.
• Both lunch and dinner will be served.
• Neither the campus bookstore nor the
downtown bookstore has good prices.
The subject closer to the verb determines if
the verb is singular or plural in sentences
with correlative conjunctions.
• Not only my best friend but my parents are
also here.
• Not only my parents but my best friend is
also here.
Do not join coordinating conjunctions with other
conjunctions within the same sentence.
Incorrect
• Although he got a B on test, but he is still not
happy.

Correct
• He got a B on the test, but he is still not happy.
Each coordinating conjunction
has a different use.
Use and to add information.

• We are going to write essays and read

many articles in this class.
Use but to show contrast.

• We will work hard, but it will be fun to learn

a lot.
Use or to give a choice.

• The first assignment will be a narrative or

an argumentative essay.
Use yet to show contrast.

• The teacher is a hard grader, yet her

scores are always fair.
Use so to show a result.

• She got A grades on all of her work, so

she hopes to get an A in the class.
Use for to show a reason.

• He will pass the class, for he worked hard

and got good grades.

Note: The conjunction for means because, but it is not used

very often to express this meaning. The preferred
connector is because.
Use both…and or not only…but also to add
emphasis.

• Both solar and wind energy are

alternatives to oil and coal.
• Computer hackers not only slow business
but also damage computer systems.
Use neither…nor to emphasize both are
negative.

• Neither students nor teachers look forward

to the start of the school year.
Use either…or to express choice.

• He wants a computer made by either Dell

or IBM.
Correct the errors in coordination.
1. We worked all night, so we didn’t meet
our deadline.
2. I finished the coffee, it was bitter.
3. My group worked hard, that we finished
the project early.
4. The food tasted bad but we still ate it.
5. Neither my sister nor my friends is here.
Correct the errors in coordination.
1. We worked all night, BUT we didn’t meet
our deadline.
2. I finished the coffee, AND it was bitter.
3. My group worked hard, SO we finished
the project early.
4. The food tasted bad, but we still ate it.
5. Neither my sister nor my friends ARE
here.
When joining words, phrases, or
clauses with coordinating
conjunctions, they must be
parallel or the same
grammatical structure.
Nouns:
• Russian cosmonauts, American
astronauts, and private citizens are now in
the International Space Station.
Adjectives:
Their experiments are expensive but
important for advancing our knowledge.
Infinitives:
The astronauts try to exercise or to work out
on a treadmill every day while they are in
space.
Gerunds:
Working, eating, and sleeping in such a
small space require cooperation.
Prepositional Phrases:
The results of the experiments will be used
in many industries, on numerous
advances, and for years to come.
Clauses:
Astronauts train for emergencies, but they
rarely have to use this information.
Note:
When you write more than two parallel
items, use commas to separate them. The
comma before the conjunction is optional
but often preferred in academic writing.

It is difficult to work, study, and take care of

small children at the same time.
Words, phrases, or clauses must be parallel when
they are joined by not only…but also, both…and,
either…or, or neither…nor.
• Not only ranchers but also farmers are affected
by government policies.
• Both Jenny and Judy play water polo.
• We will either see a movie or go out to dinner
tonight.
• My son was neither anxious nor upset at the
dentist’s office.
Not only…but also
Regular word order: Debbie not only likes to swim,
but she also likes to run.
Inverted word order: Not only does Debbie like to
swim, but she also likes to run.
Regular word order: There is not only a test
tomorrow, but there is also an essay due.
Inverted word order: Not only is there a test
tomorrow, but there is also an essay due.
Correct the errors in parallel structure.
1. Vicki improved her writing by learning grammar
rules, and she edits carefully.
2. Ms. Lee is searching for a new job and moves
to a new house at the same time.
3. My best friend is good at listening, solving
problems, and he always gives good advice.
4. My roommate was neither anxious nor relaxing
before her exams.
5. I will either study painting or sculpture.