Using Coordination and Subordination
What are Coordination and Subordination?
Coordination connects two ideas of equal weight and importance. Subordination involves identifying one idea as less important than another. Coordination and subordination allow writers to make connections between ideas, signal important ideas, and create transitions between different ideas.
Coordinate ideas by . . .
Using a transitional word to connect two independent clauses
Some examples of transitional also known as "conjunctive adverbs," include furthermore, however, therefore, consequently, moreover. The conjunctive adverb is usually followed a comma.
She studied all weekend. She passed the test.
She studied all weekend. Consequenrtly, she passed the test.
She studied all weekend; consequently, she passed the test.
Using a transitional phrase to connect two independent clauses
Some examples of transitional phrases include: after all, even so, in addition, on the contrary, etc.
She passed the test. She studied all weekend.
She passed the test. After all, she studied all weekend.
She passed the test; after all, she studied all weekend.
Subordinate ideas by . . .
Using a subordinating conjunctions or relative pronoun to convey the relationship between the two ideas
When combining two sentences using subordination, place the ide you want to emphasize in a clasuse that can stand alone, and place the less important idea ina dependent clause using a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Some examples of subordinating conjunctions are: although, because, since, while, as, etc. Some examples of relative pronouns are: that, which, and who.
Subordinate clauses are also commonly called relative clauses, dependent clauses, adjective clauses, descriptive clauses, or who clauses. They canot stand alone as full sentences. By placing an idea in the subordinate clause you distinguish it as less important than the idea you intend to emphasise. Here are two ideas:
Sarah hates public speaking. She gave a speech in honor of her favorite charity.
Using a subordinating conjunction (although), we can emphasize that she gave the speech, despite hating public speaking in the example below.
Although Sarah hates public speaking, she gave a speech in honor of her favorite charity.
Sarah gave a speech in honor of her favorite charity although she hates public speaking.
Using a subordinating conjunction (although), we can emphasize that Sarah hates public speaking, despite giving a speech in the following example.
Sarah hates public speaking although she gave a speech in honor of her favorite charity.
Although she gave a speech in honor of her favorite charity, Sarah hates public speaking.
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