- 1). First, remember that coordinating conjunctions are the words, for, and, but, so, or, nor, and yet. To decide if you need to use a coordinating conjunction, you need to decide the purpose of the sentence. Some examples of how some coordinating conjunctions can be used are:
1. and - It joins two similar ideas.
Example: They went to the beach and then to the park.
2. but - It joins two contrasting ideas.
Example: He is a sloppy dresser, but she is a neat dresser.
3. so - It shows that the second idea is the result of the first one.
Example: He was late for school, so he went to get a tardy note from the office.
4. or - It joins two alternative ideas
Example: I want to wear my green dress or my black dress. - 2). Second, know the comma usage. For example, if you are using a coordinating conjunction to separate two main clauses, you must use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. If you have only one main clause and a subordinate clause, do not use a comma before the conjunction. Remember - a subordinate clause is not a complete sentence.
Example of two main clauses: Ruby got out of bed, and she went downstairs to talk to her mother.
Example of one main clause: Ruby got out of bed and went downstairs to talk to her mother.
The subordinate clause is "went downstairs to talk to her mother." - 3). Third, use subordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions, like coordinating conjunctions, are connectors. However, subordinating conjunctions join two thoughts. Some subordinating conjunctions include before, after, though, although, and when.
Examples: Although he said he did not steal the cookies, there were cookie crumbs around his mouth.
Before he went to bed, he made sure that all the doors were locked.
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