Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions link elements of equal grammatical rank, and they shape meaning and emphasis in both speech and writing. This guide goes over the main coordinating conjunctions with short examples.
Coordinating Conjunctions
The basic coordinating conjunctions each serve a distinct function: and adds, but contrasts, or presents alternatives, nor adds a negative alternative, and so shows consequence. These connectors keep sentences clear and balanced.
| English Word | Function | English Word | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| and | addition | so | result |
| but | contrast | or | choice |
| nor | negative addition |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Usage
Use and to add similar ideas, but to introduce a contrast, or to offer alternatives, nor to add negative alternatives (usually after a negative clause), and so to show a cause-and-effect result. Each conjunction joins elements that are grammatically parallel.
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Examples
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🍳 I want to cook, but I forgot to buy ingredients. | I want to cook, but I forgot to buy ingredients. |
| 🍞 The bakery is closed, so I went to the grocery store. | The bakery is closed, so I went to the grocery store. |
| 🧀 I bought cheese and bread for the picnic. | I bought cheese and bread for the picnic. |
| 🍓 I wanted strawberries, but they were out of stock. | I wanted strawberries, but they were out of stock. |
| 🥪 She made a sandwich, and he poured some juice. | She made a sandwich, and he poured some juice. |
| 🍊 The oranges were fresh, so I bought a whole bag. | The oranges were fresh, so I bought a whole bag. |
| 🍎 I like apples, but I prefer pears. | I like apples, but I prefer pears. |
| 🍪 We can bake cookies, or we can buy them ready-made. | We can bake cookies, or we can buy them ready-made. |
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Special Cases
When coordinating clauses with conjunctions like and, but, or, and so, use a comma before the conjunction if each clause has its own subject. For short clauses or when the second clause is closely connected, the comma can sometimes be omitted. Nor often pairs with inversion or a preceding negative for emphasis.
Sign In
Add an email to access exercises.
Summary
Coordinating conjunctions are short words like and, but, or, nor, and so that join equal elements and signal addition, contrast, choice, negative addition, or result. Use them to make sentences clear and to control the flow of ideas.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025