Grammar-Quizzes › Connectors › Coordinators
Coordinators ("coordinating conjunctions")
Relate two elements or structures
A coordinator
- expresses a meaning of addition, contrast or option/alternative; is a part of neither of its coordinated structures; allows interchangeability of coordinate structures without affecting meaning.
- functions as a marker that coordinates like (same word kind or equal status) elements or structures—two noun phrases, verb phrases, clauses and so on.
- takes form as: and (addition), but (contrast), or (option/alternative). Some grammar systems include for (reason), so (result), and yet (concession) with coordinators. Others do not and place for, so and yet with connective adverbs.
See Connector Overview: Grammar Notes for sources.
Coordinators (below)
Coordinators
Summary of Practices
FANBOYS: join words, phrases and clauses
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
FANBOYS — for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Coordinated Clause Punctuation
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – edit the sentence
Practice 3 – select the part of speech
She danced and waved a fan.
She danced and waved a fan, and he played the flute.
Connector Overview: overview of connective words that relate phrases and clauses
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Grammar System Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1– identify
Practice 2– multiple choice
Practice 3– edit sentences in paragraph
The day was cold and windy.
They day was cloudy, windy and also cold.
The wind was strong as well as cold.
Besides being windy, it was also cold.
The day was windy and cold. In addition, it was dry.
It was bright, clear and windy. Moreover, it was cold.
Coordinators—Addition / Conjunction
And / In addition: join sentence elements and sentences
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
And / In addition, – adding elements vs. clauses
Also, / Furthermore, – adding another vs. a final fact
Besides being vs. Besides, – adding a winning fact
Beside -ing / Except for -ing – setting aside info
Reduced Verb Pairs – Come and see…
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit paragraph
Also see Comma Series | "Oxford Comma" | Bullet Lists
Anne is an actress. Normally, she acts and sings.
Anne acts, sings and dances. In addition, she directs theater productions. adds information
You should see Anne. She acts, sings and dances. Moreover, she looks like the main character. adds a conclusive fact
Besides being funny, he is also young and smart. adds information
Hire him because he is young and smart. Besides, he is funny! adds a conclusive fact or argument
And so / too: reduce a repeated verb in a joined clause
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
My brother has a new toy, and so do I. (American English)
My brother has a new toy, and so have I. (British English)
My bother got a new toy, and I did too.
My brother got a new toy, but I didn't.
You got a new toy, didn't you? Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
Too / Either: add a positive or negative comment
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Two Parts: Coordination and Focus
Polarity positive/negative
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
I am eight today, and my cousin is too.
I am not a child, and my cousin isn't either.
I am excited. Me too! (informal) / I am too!
I am not worried. Me either! (informal) / I am not either!
Nobody helped me. Me either. (negative pronoun)
We barely understand it. Me either. (negative adverb)
Both and: join sentence elements with paired expressions
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Both the movie and the play were good.
Not only the movie but also the play was good.
Neither the movie nor the play was good.
Either the movie or the play was good. I can't remember.
Coordinators—Option / Alternative / Disjunction
Either…or / Neither…nor: express one or the other, or both
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
►And, But…not, Or (conjunction, exclusion, disjunction)
►AND / OR / NOT (Boolean Logic)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
That store sells Nike or Adidas. (They have one brand.)
You'll can buy the shoes at Macy's or Penney's. (Both)
That store sells neither Nike nor Adidas. (Both not carried)
You can buy the shoes at neither Macy's nor Penney's. (Both not)
They don't sell Adidas, nor do they think it necessary. (connective with SV inversion)
But / But still: state contrast or concession (contrary reasoning)
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Contrast — but, while, whereas, on the other hand, in contrast to, however
Contrary Outcome — but, still, yet, nevertheless, regardless, in spite of, despite
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – multiple choice
like sugar in my coffee, whereas Edward likes black coffee.
I like sugar in my coffee in contrast to Edward who likes none.
One the one hand, I like sugar in my coffee.
On the other hand, Edgard does not!
I shouldn't eat sugar, but still I do.
Though I shouldn't eat sugar, I do.
I shouldn't eat sugar. Nevertheless, I do.
But / Though: express defeat versus challenge
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Brian planned on attending a job fair, but the line was very long. (It discouraged him..)
Brian planned on attending a job fair though the line was very long. (He stood in it anyway.)
But not / Except: state an exception
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
He likes vegetables but not carrots.
He likes vegetables except (for) carrots.
Jack does nothing all day except [to] eat and sleep.
He isn't interested in anything except eating and sleeping.
Jack eats nothing but hamburgers.
Jack ate all but one hamburger.
Negative Word Forms: express absence, doubt, denial, prohibition and more (Negative Word Forms)
Beginning – Advanced ESL, native speakers
Negativity Expressed in Noun Phrases
Similar but Different Negatives
Practice 1 – identify the word form (MC)
Practice 2 – contrast word forms (MC)
No one / Not anyone has parked illegally.
His inability / disability was clear to us.
He was unsatisfied / dissatisfied.
Do not park there! We do not park there.
He would park there, wouldn't he?
We asked him not to park there.
I doubt that he *never / ever helps.
He is neither optimistic nor pessimistic. (paired negative)
His no nonsense approach to life is refreshing. (expression)
Run-on Sentences: identify errors in coordinating words, phrases and clauses
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Coordinated Clauses (conjunctions & semicolons)
Exceptions – the more, the more
Practice 1 – identify
Practice 2– edit sentence
My friend and I blogged and read over his shoulder.
My friend blogged, and I read over his shoulder.
Parallel Wording: coordinate like word forms
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
*My English is improving slow but surely.
My English is improving slowly but surely.
Connector Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Connector Paragraph: relate ideas in a paragraph with cause-effect connectors
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
She looks around to make sure other girls are noticing her. When asked why she dresses the way she does, she says that she likes it. ______ it seems that the reason for her behavior is more complex.
See Connectors for a complete summary of connective words.