Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are joining words that connect words, phrases, or sentences that are equally important. Choosing the right conjunction changes the meaning of your sentence.
What You'll Learn
- How to use all five common coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, so, and yet
- How to choose the right conjunction based on the meaning you want to express
- How yet differs from but when showing contrast
- How to avoid common errors when joining two complete sentences
When to Use
- Adding information (and): "Mei Ling packed her bag and headed to the MRT station."
- Showing contrast (but): "The test was difficult, but she managed to finish it."
- Giving a choice (or): "We can go to the hawker centre or cook dinner at home."
- Showing a result (so): "It started to rain heavily, so the outdoor lesson was cancelled."
- Showing a surprising contrast (yet): "He practised every day, yet he still could not swim across the pool."
How to Form
The Five Conjunctions and Their Meanings
| Conjunction | Meaning | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| and | addition | Adds one idea to another |
| but | contrast | Shows a difference or opposite |
| or | choice | Gives an alternative |
| so | result | Shows what happened because of something |
| yet | surprising contrast | Shows something unexpected |
Joining Words and Phrases
Put the conjunction between two words or phrases of the same type.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Two nouns | I bought a ruler and a notebook. |
| Two adjectives | The curry puff was crispy but cold. |
| Two verbs | You can read or draw during free time. |
| Two phrases | She looked in her bag and under the desk. |
Joining Two Complete Sentences
When you join two complete sentences, place a comma before the conjunction.
| Sentence 1 | Conjunction | Sentence 2 | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| I studied hard. | so | I did well on the test. | I studied hard**,** so I did well on the test. |
| He is tired. | yet | He keeps running. | He is tired**,** yet he keeps running. |
| We can take the bus. | or | We can walk there. | We can take the bus**,** or we can walk there. |
Key Rules
- Use "and" for addition: Both ideas go together and are equally true. "Ali plays football and badminton."
- Use "but" for a simple difference: The second idea is different from what you might expect. "The bag was light, but it was full of books."
- Use "or" for a choice or alternative: Only one of the two things will happen. "Do your homework now, or you will have to stay up late."
- Use "so" for a result or consequence: The second idea happens because of the first. "The canteen was crowded, so we ate in the classroom."
- Use "yet" for a surprising contrast: Like "but", it shows a difference, but the difference is unexpected or surprising. "She had never cooked before, yet the dish turned out delicious."
- Comma rule: When a conjunction joins two complete sentences (each with its own subject and verb), place a comma before the conjunction. No comma is needed when joining just words or phrases.
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I was hungry so I ate lunch. | I was hungry, so I ate lunch. | Need a comma before "so" when joining two complete sentences |
| The food was delicious yet expensive. | The food was delicious but expensive. | Use "but" for a simple contrast between two adjectives; "yet" is for surprising contrasts in longer sentences |
| She can sing, and she cannot dance. | She can sing, but she cannot dance. | The ideas contrast each other, so use "but", not "and" |
| He studied hard, or he passed the test. | He studied hard, so he passed the test. | Passing is a result of studying, not a choice |
| It rained, but we stayed indoors. | It rained, so we stayed indoors. | Staying indoors is a result of the rain, not a contrast |
| The weather was hot, yet sunny. | The weather was hot and sunny. | Hot and sunny go together (no surprise), so use "and" |
Clue Words
Addition (and)
also, too, as well, both, another, in addition
Contrast (but, yet)
however, although, on the other hand, still, even so, surprisingly
Choice (or)
either, alternatively, otherwise, whether
Result (so)
therefore, as a result, that is why, because of this
Tip: To decide between "but" and "yet", ask yourself: "Is the contrast surprising or unexpected?" If yes, use "yet". If it is just a simple difference, use "but".
Practice Tips
- The meaning test: Cover the conjunction and read both parts of the sentence. Ask yourself: "Are these ideas being added, contrasted, chosen between, or is one the result of the other?" Then pick the conjunction that matches.
- The swap test: Try replacing the conjunction with another one. Does the sentence still make sense? If "but" and "and" both seem to work, check whether the ideas are similar (use "and") or different (use "but").
- The comma check: After writing a sentence with a conjunction, check whether both sides have their own subject and verb. If they do, add a comma before the conjunction.
- The surprise check: When choosing between "but" and "yet", read the sentence aloud. If the second part makes you think "that's unexpected!", use "yet". Otherwise, use "but".
Quick Reference
| Conjunction | Use it when... | Example |
|---|---|---|
| and | You are adding similar or related ideas | She packed her lunch and filled her water bottle. |
| but | The second idea is different from the first | I wanted to play outside, but it was raining. |
| or | You are giving a choice between two things | Shall we take the MRT or the bus? |
| so | The second idea is a result of the first | The pond was dry, so the fish had to be moved. |
| yet | The second idea is surprisingly different | He is the youngest in the team, yet he scored the most goals. |