1st Method: Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

The following are the seven most common coordinating conjunctions and their functions:

And – adds a positive idea

Example: I like cats, and I like dogs.

But – contrasts ideas

Example: I like cats, but I don’t like dogs.

For – introduces a reason

Example: I like cats, for they are soft and cuddly.

Or – joins alternative ideas

Example: I will buy a white cat, or I will buy a black dog.

Nor – adds an idea

Example: I will not buy a dog, nor will I buy a puppy.

Yet – contrasts ideas

Example: I don’t like dogs, yet I am not mean to them.

So – shows a result

Example: I like cats and dogs, so I bought one of each.

**Note: The word while is sometimes used as a coordinating conjunction in the sense of but. It is sometimes used colloquially as and, but it should be avoided in formal writing.

Example: A heptagon is seven-sided, while a pentagon is five-sided.

**Note: In formal English, the coordinating conjunction for is often used instead of the subordinating conjunction because, especially when the second clause gives evidence for, or states an explanation of the main clause.

Example: I knew his answer was wrong, (because/for) I had read the same article.

Informal English will use because; formal English will use for. By using for, both ideas are given equal importance, and the second clause still gives evidence or states an explanation of the first clause.

**Note: Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect parts of equal value, such as...

Words:

boys and girls

Phrases:

in one ear and out the other

Subordinating Clauses:

I am voting for him

because he seems honest,

and

because he is fair.

Independent Clauses:

He grew up on a farm,

yet

he understands the city.

Sentences:

Your tie and shirt are both expensive.

But they do not match.

2nd Method: Semicolon

The first use of a semicolon is to join independent clauses, but remember—in order for a semicolon to join those independent clauses, those clauses must be closely related.

Example: Try this shirt; it seems to be your colour.

**Note: A period could have been used instead of this semicolon, but the clauses are so closely related that a period makes too sharp a separation. A coma couldn’t be used because the ideas are stated in main clauses.

Using a comma would have been a comma splice error; therefore, the semicolon is the most appropriate punctuation to join the ideas.

Semicolons are useful in balancing two contrasting ideas in parallel form.

Example: It was not the hours or the wages that discouraged me; it was the constant monotony of the work.

The second use of a semicolon is to separate elements in a series.

Example: Brad has lived in Victoria, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; and Regina, Saskatchewan.

Use a colon, not a semicolon to indicate that something is to follow in a series. The use of a colon before a list is like saying such as. For example:

Wrong: Brad has many friends; Bill, Andrew, Sally, Sue, and Jane.

Right: Brad has many friends: Bill, Andrew, Sally, Sue, and Jane.

3rd Method: Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are effective in showing the relationship between the two clauses that are to be joined into once sentence. The most commonly used conjunctive adverbs and their usual function are shown below.

Addition:

1. also
2. besides
3. furthermore
4. indeed
5. likewise
6. moreover
7. then

Contrast or Exception:

1. anyhow
2. anyway
3. however
4. nevertheless
5. still

Result:

1. accordingly
2. consequently
3. hence
4. therefore
5. thus

Alternatives:

1. instead
2. otherwise

**Note: The usual function of the seven most common coordinating conjunctions are listed below in the same categories, except the coordinating conjunction for.


Addition:

1. and
2. nor

Contrast or Exception:

1. yet
2. but

Result:

1. so

Alternatives:

1. or

For introduces a reason or shows evidence in support of the first clause, or it explains the first clause.

Example: We didn’t stop to see Dr. Hill, for we had to meet Uncle Ed for supper.

**Note: If the conjunctive adverb begins the second clause, then a comma may or may not follow it.

Example: The earrings were prettier than the bracelet; besides they were less expensive. (You don’t want the reader to pause.)

If the conjunctive adverb is intended by the author to be a parenthetical expression, (has no grammatical construction, but is used to provide transition of thought or colour to the meaning of the sentence) then use the comma.

Example: Mr. Dickson thought the plan was dangerous; he agreed, however, to join the group of rescue workers.

For the purposes of learning, examples of the previously mentioned conjunctive adverbs are used in the following sentences.

Addition Examples:

1. Thanks to Jane for suggestions; also thanks go to John for rewriting. OR: Thanks to Jane for suggestions; thanks go, also, to John for rewriting.
2. It is far better to endure patiently a pain which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; besides the Bible bids us return good for evil.
3. The man was thought crazy by his neighbours; furthermore the court found him insane.
4. The question of what we are doing to change our reserve structure is irrelevant; indeed, the whole question of the accountability and legislative foundation of the Wheat Pool goes far beyond the amendments on the table.
5. The A and B at the beginning of the melody are each higher than their neighbours; likewise the high C and E are higher too.
6. I’ll keep you from the edge of the gulf too; moreover, I’ll maintain that distance between you and myself most conductive to our real mutual advantage.
7. He waited until the latrine are was momentarily; then he slipped across the naked ground and under the wire and into the jungle.

Contrast and Exception Examples:

1. The thief didn’t realize the door would be unlocked; anyhow he had brought all his tools along.
2. He didn’t have the price of a ticket; anyway he still smiled as if he did.
3. These last, English in name, were past the gym; however they were in my mind American.
4. By the time he was twenty-two, it was clear that he wasn’t going to be a rookie star; nevertheless he had learned useful thinks throughout the year.
5. There were sundry questions about tonnage and poundage, and ship-money, which most of them appeared unable to answer; still, every little difficulty was solved instantly when it reached Burns.

Result Examples:

1. Her naturally bright intelligence had begun to admit the fatalistic convictions common to field-folk and those who associate more extensively with natural phenomena than with their fellow-creatures; accordingly, she drifted into that passive responsiveness to all things her lover suggested.
2. The Camerons are among a growing number of Canadian families from all social and economic groups who are convinced that the actions of individuals can have a powerful collective effect on the world; consequently, they are making ethical decisions about their lives and how they spend their money.
3. For the time being, he intends to concentrate on securing for the note holders the same legal status; hence, they will receive the same compensation package, as the FIC-AIC investors.
4. Most things free-born will submit to anything for a salary; therefore, keep to yourself, and don’t venture on generalities of which you are intensely ignorant.
5. After several rejections, the story was sold to a British publisher; thus was born the world’s best-known and most-loved fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Alternative Examples:

1. The teenagers would be expecting us to double back in our car; instead, Sergeant King and I decided to approach on foot.
2. Be sure to rinse your jacket well after bleaching; otherwise it smells awful.

4th Method: Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions and Conjunctive Adverbs

This is the best method to join independent clauses together because the relationship between the clauses is made the clearest and most forceful. The conjunctive adverb and the coordinating conjunction should be taken from the same descriptive group as posted above under the 3rd Method: Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs (Addition, Contrast and Exception, Result, and Alternative).

Jane likes cats; Jane dislikes dogs.

(This sentence does not show how the ideas are related.)

Jane likes cats, and she dislikes dogs.

(This sentence just tells an additional idea about Jane.)

Jane likes cats; moreover, she dislikes dogs.

(This sentence tells an additional idea with thought and colour (because of the comma after moreover) about Jane.)

Jane likes cats, and moreover, she dislikes dogs.

(The relationship between the two ideas is more forceful because both the coordinating conjunction and conjunctive adverb were used together.)

**Note: Do make sure that you use the correct combination of coordinating conjunction and conjunctive adverb to state the meaning intended. For Example:

Wrong: Brad dislikes sweets, but also he likes chocolate.

(but is used for contrast/exception, also is used for addition,)

Right: Brad dislikes sweets, but nevertheless he likes chocolate.

(nevertheless is used for contrast/exception.)

**Note: Do make sure you have expressed the relationship intended. For Example:

Wrong: Brad dislikes beer, but nevertheless he dislikes all alcoholic drinks.

( You are not trying to show contrast/exception.)

Right: Brad dislikes beer, and moreover he dislikes all alcoholic drinks.

(You are trying to show addition.)