Coordinators
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Coordinators (and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet*) connect elements of equal importance.
| S + V , but S + V S + V and V
S or S + V N and N Adj. and Adj. Phrase and Phrase Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D | (A comma is normally used.) (No comma is necessary.)
|
Examples:
| He drinks coffee, but she drinks tea. | (S + V , coordinator S +V) |
Gary lives in Ohio, and Deana lives in Michigan.
She loves to dance, so she bought a studio.
You could buy a car, or you could put the money in the bank.
When there is a new subject and verb, a comma is used before (not after) the coordinator.
I hate to sing but, I love to dance. (Incorrect)
I hate to sing, but I love to dance. (Correct)
John and George both play football.
Paul listens to music and reads books.
John, Paul, George, and Harry are classmates. | (two subjects)
(two verbs)
(series)
|
*
For is also commonly used as a preposition.
Yet can sometimes be used as an adverb.
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