SAT / PSAT: SAT PSAT Reading Writing Standard English Conventions Sentence Structure Subordinating and Coordinating Conjunctions

What Is This?

Subordinating and coordinating conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show a relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause. Coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses or items in a list. This topic appears in exams to test your understanding of sentence structure and your ability to construct grammatically correct sentences.

Why It Matters

This topic is frequently tested in standardized exams like the SAT, ACT, and GRE, as well as in job-related English proficiency tests. It typically carries moderate to high marks and tests your ability to understand and apply grammar rules to construct and analyze complex sentences.

Core Concepts

• Subordinating Conjunctions: Words like because, although, if, since, unless, while, though, until, whereas, wherever introduce dependent clauses.
• Coordinating Conjunctions: Words like and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so join independent clauses or items in a list.
• Dependent vs. Independent Clauses: A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence; it relies on an independent clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Punctuation: Use commas correctly with conjunctions to avoid run-on sentences and fragments.
• Logical Relationships: Understand the logical relationships (cause, effect, contrast, condition) that conjunctions establish between clauses.

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of clauses (independent and dependent).
• Knowledge of punctuation rules, especially commas.
• Familiarity with sentence structure (simple, compound, complex).

The Rule-Book (How It Works)

Primary Rule

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show a relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause. Coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses or items in a list.

Sub-Rules and Exceptions

• Subordinating Conjunctions: Always introduce a dependent clause. Example: Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.
• Coordinating Conjunctions: Join independent clauses or items in a list. Example: I like apples and oranges.
• Punctuation: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses. Example: I went to the store, and I bought some milk.
• Exceptions: Short independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction may not require a comma. Example: I went to the store and bought some milk.

Visual Pattern

• Subordinating Conjunctions: Dependent Clause + Independent Clause
• Coordinating Conjunctions: Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent Clause

Exam / Job / Audit Weighting

• Frequency: High
• Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
• Question Type: Multiple Choice, Sentence Correction, Error Identification

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Must-Know Rules, Formulas, Standards, or Principles

1. Subordinating Conjunctions: Introduce dependent clauses and show relationships like cause, effect, contrast, condition.
2. Coordinating Conjunctions: Join independent clauses or items in a list.
3. Punctuation: Use commas correctly with conjunctions to avoid run-on sentences and fragments.

Worked Examples (Step-by-Step)

Easy

Question: Choose the correct sentence.
A) Because it was raining we stayed indoors.
B) Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.
C) Because it was raining; we stayed indoors.
D) Because it was raining. We stayed indoors.

Reasoning: 1. Identify the subordinating conjunction because.
2. Recognize that it introduces a dependent clause.
3. Check for correct punctuation.

Answer: B) Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.
Rule Applied: Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and require a comma after the dependent clause.

Medium

Question: Correct the sentence.
I went to the store and I bought some milk and I came home.

Reasoning: 1. Identify the coordinating conjunction and.
2. Recognize that it joins independent clauses.
3. Check for correct punctuation.

Answer: I went to the store, and I bought some milk, and I came home. Rule Applied: Use commas before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses.

Hard

Question: Choose the correct sentence.
A) Although he was tired, but he finished his work.
B) Although he was tired but he finished his work.
C) Although he was tired, he finished his work.
D) Although he was tired he finished his work.

Reasoning: 1. Identify the subordinating conjunction although.
2. Recognize that it introduces a dependent clause.
3. Check for correct punctuation and avoid redundant conjunctions.

Answer: C) Although he was tired, he finished his work.
Rule Applied: Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and require a comma after the dependent clause. Avoid using but after although.

Common Exam Traps & Mistakes

1. Mistake: Using a comma after a subordinating conjunction in a dependent clause.
2. Wrong Answer: Because, it was raining, we stayed indoors.

3. Correct Approach: Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.

4. Mistake: Not using a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses.

5. Wrong Answer: I went to the store and I bought some milk.

6. Correct Approach: I went to the store, and I bought some milk.

7. Mistake: Using a semicolon instead of a comma with a coordinating conjunction.

8. Wrong Answer: I went to the store; and I bought some milk.

9. Correct Approach: I went to the store, and I bought some milk.

10. Mistake: Using a subordinating conjunction incorrectly as a coordinating conjunction.

11. Wrong Answer: Although he was tired but he finished his work.

12. Correct Approach: Although he was tired, he finished his work.

13. Mistake: Creating a run-on sentence by not using proper punctuation.

14. Wrong Answer: I went to the store I bought some milk.

15. Correct Approach: I went to the store, and I bought some milk.

16. Mistake: Creating a sentence fragment by not completing the independent clause.

17. Wrong Answer: Because it was raining.
18. Correct Approach: Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.

Shortcut Strategies & Exam Hacks

• Memory Aid: Remember the acronym FANBOYS for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
• Elimination Strategy: Look for sentences with incorrect punctuation or redundant conjunctions and eliminate them.
• Pattern Recognition: Identify the structure of dependent and independent clauses to quickly spot errors.
• Formula Shortcut: Use the formula Dependent Clause + Independent Clause for subordinating conjunctions and Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent Clause for coordinating conjunctions.

Question-Type Taxonomy

1. Multiple Choice: Choose the correct sentence from options.
2. Mini-Example: Choose the correct sentence. A) Because it was raining we stayed indoors. B) Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.

3. Favored By: SAT, ACT, GRE

4. Sentence Correction: Correct the given sentence.

5. Mini-Example: Correct the sentence: I went to the store and I bought some milk and I came home.

6. Favored By: TOEFL, IELTS

7. Error Identification: Identify the error in the sentence.

8. Mini-Example: Identify the error: Although he was tired but he finished his work.

9. Favored By: SAT, ACT

10. Fill in the Blank: Choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.

11. Mini-Example: Fill in the blank: _ it was raining, we stayed indoors.
12. Favored By: GRE, TOEFL

Practice Set (MCQs)

Question 1

Question: Choose the correct sentence.
A) Since it was late, but we decided to go.
B) Since it was late, we decided to go.
C) Since it was late we decided to go.
D) Since it was late; we decided to go.

Options: A) Since it was late, but we decided to go.
B) Since it was late, we decided to go.
C) Since it was late we decided to go.
D) Since it was late; we decided to go.

Correct Answer: B) Since it was late, we decided to go.
Explanation: Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and require a comma after the dependent clause.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: - A) Incorrectly uses but after since.
- C) Missing the necessary comma.
- D) Incorrectly uses a semicolon.

Question 2

Question: Correct the sentence.
I like apples and I like oranges and I like bananas.

Options: A) I like apples and I like oranges and I like bananas.
B) I like apples, and I like oranges, and I like bananas.
C) I like apples and oranges and bananas.
D) I like apples, oranges, and bananas.

Correct Answer: D) I like apples, oranges, and bananas.
Explanation: Coordinating conjunctions join items in a list. Use commas to separate items in a list.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: - A) Repetitive and lacks proper punctuation.
- B) Overuses commas.
- C) Lacks necessary commas.

Question 3

Question: Identify the error in the sentence.
Although he was tired but he finished his work.

Options: A) Although he was tired but he finished his work.
B) Although he was tired, he finished his work.
C) Although he was tired he finished his work.
D) Although he was tired; he finished his work.

Correct Answer: B) Although he was tired, he finished his work.
Explanation: Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and require a comma after the dependent clause. Avoid using but after although.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: - A) Incorrectly uses but after although.
- C) Missing the necessary comma.
- D) Incorrectly uses a semicolon.

Question 4

Question: Fill in the blank.
_ it was raining, we stayed indoors.

Options: A) Because B) But C) And D) Or

Correct Answer: A) Because Explanation: Because is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: - B) But is a coordinating conjunction and does not introduce a dependent clause.
- C) And is a coordinating conjunction and does not introduce a dependent clause.
- D) Or is a coordinating conjunction and does not introduce a dependent clause.

Question 5

Question: Choose the correct sentence.
A) I went to the store, and I bought some milk.
B) I went to the store and I bought some milk.
C) I went to the store; and I bought some milk.
D) I went to the store, and bought some milk.

Options: A) I went to the store, and I bought some milk.
B) I went to the store and I bought some milk.
C) I went to the store; and I bought some milk.
D) I went to the store, and bought some milk.

Correct Answer: A) I went to the store, and I bought some milk.
Explanation: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses.
Why the Distractors Are Tempting: - B) Missing the necessary comma.
- C) Incorrectly uses a semicolon.
- D) Incorrectly omits the subject after the conjunction.

30-Second Cheat Sheet

• Subordinating Conjunctions: Introduce dependent clauses (e.g., because, although, if).
• Coordinating Conjunctions: Join independent clauses or items in a list (e.g., and, but, or).
• Punctuation: Use commas correctly with conjunctions to avoid run-on sentences and fragments.
• Dependent vs. Independent Clauses: Dependent clauses cannot stand alone; independent clauses can.
• Logical Relationships: Understand the relationships (cause, effect, contrast, condition) that conjunctions establish.
• FANBOYS: Remember the acronym for coordinating conjunctions.
• Pattern: Dependent Clause + Independent Clause for subordinating conjunctions; Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent Clause for coordinating conjunctions.

Learning Path

1. Beginner Foundation: Review basic sentence structure, clauses, and punctuation rules.
2. Core Rules: Study the primary rules for subordinating and coordinating conjunctions.
3. Practice: Work through examples and practice sets to apply the rules.
4. Timed Drills: Practice under time constraints to simulate exam conditions.
5. Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests to build stamina and identify areas for improvement.

Related Topics

1. Phrases and Clauses: Understanding the difference between phrases and clauses is crucial for mastering conjunctions.
2. Punctuation: Proper use of commas, semicolons, and periods is essential for constructing correct sentences.
3. Sentence Variety: Varying sentence structure improves writing clarity and engagement, often tested alongside conjunctions.