Dr. Grammar says:

“What’s wrong with this sentence? I like chocolate, and my brother doesn’t.”

EXPLANATION:

Coordinate conjunctions can be used to link words, phrases (groups of words) or clauses (groups of words with a subject and a verb) together. For example:

Words –

John, Susan and I went to the zoo.

Phrases –

The small dog and the little girl, but not the boy, played in the park together.

Clauses –

I love to go swimming, yet I don’t have enough time.

Different conjunctions show different relationships. The common coordinate conjunctions are:

and = plus/in addition

They often go to the park at the weekend and then to a restaurant.

or = giving an alternative/another option

They often go to the park or the zoo at the weekend.

but = contrast, a difference

They often go the park at the weekend, but they didn’t go this week.

yet = but with some surprise

They often go the park at the weekend, yet they have never been to the countryside.

for = because (formal)

They often go to the park at the weekend, for they love the fresh air.

so = as a result

They love fresh air, so they often go to the park at the weekend.

It is a very good idea to use these conjunctions when speaking or writing. They make your English easier to understand and more interesting.

So…

I like chocolate, and my brother doesn’t. X

I like chocolate, yet (or but) my brother doesn’t. √

EXERCISE:

Choose the best conjunction from above to fill the gaps in the sentences below.

1. I like to go to the cinema, ………………….. I don’t go very often.

2. Would you like tea, coffee ………………….. water?

3. She would like to study medicine ………………….. then work in a hospital.

4. Holidays at the beach are very popular …………………..they are a great place to relax.

5. Vietnam ………………….. Thailand are both in Southeast Asia, ………………….. their cultures are very different.

6. Our motorbike broke down, so we were late.

Answers:

1. but

2. or

3. and

4. for

5. and, yet/but

6. so

FURTHER PRACTICE:

Read some stories, newspaper articles or magazines, and find as many of the above conjunctions as you can. What are the relationships between the information linked using the conjunctions?

Now try to write some sentences using the above conjunctions.

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).