46. COMMON PROBLEMS WHEN USING COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
[Pages:1]46. COMMON PROBLEMS WHEN USING COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinating conjunctions connect two sentences.
There are seven subordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor.
Coordination is a useful technique, but it can be misused.
Two common problems are: Overusing the conjunction AND (when another conjunction would communicate a more specific meaning). Starting a sentence in a college paper with a coordinating conjunction (which is too informal).
EXAMPLES
Overusing the conjunction AND Incorrect: The orange yield increased, and the oranges weren't as sweet as they used to be. Correct: The orange yield increased, but the oranges weren't as sweet as they used to be.
Incorrect: The orange farmers wanted to get a better yield, and they used fertilizer. Correct: The orange farmers wanted to get a better yield, so they used fertilizer.
Incorrect: They lost some of their customers, and they had to stop using fertilizer. Correct: They had to stop using fertilizer, for they had lost some of their customers.
REMEMBER
Do not connect every pair of sentences with the conjunction AND.
Use this word only to add information. Choose other words to express different relationships:
Use BUT to express a contrast. Use SO to express a result. Use FOR to express a cause.
Starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction in a college paper
Too informal: The orange farmers wanted to get a better yield. So they used fertilizer. The orange yield increased. But the oranges weren't as sweet as they used to be. So, they stopped using fertilizer.
Formal / academic: The orange farmers wanted to get a better yield, so they used fertilizer. The orange yield increased. However, the oranges were not as sweet as they used to be. Consequently, the farmers stopped using fertilizer.
Avoid starting sentences in a college paper with a coordinating conjunction.
Use the coordinating conjunctions in the middle of sentences. OR
Use transition words instead at the beginning of sentences: Instead of AND, use IN ADDITION. Instead of BUT, use HOWEVER. Instead of SO, use CONSEQUENTLY or AS A RESULT.
Created in 2007 at the Center for English Language Support, John Jay College, on a U.S. Department of Education (Title V Collaborative) Grant awarded to John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Queensborough Community College.
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