Definition Subordinators and Coordinators
Joining words show a relationship in meaning between ideas. There are three grammatical families of joining words; each has its own punctuation guidelines.
Families | Popular words | Punctuation | Example |
Coordinators | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (complete list – you can remember these with the acronym FANBOYS) | Anything | I ate, for I was hungry. He seemed strange. Yet I liked him. You shouldn't – but you will. Frank fainted; so I drove the car. |
Subordinators | because, since, although, whereas, while, unless, until, if, when, after etc. (not a complete list) | at most a , (NOT ; or .) | Because he was dirty , I washed him. Bob ran until he couldn't breathe. |
Transitional Expressions | therefore, instead, thus, on the other hand, indeed, however, as a result etc. (not a complete list) | at least a ; or . (NOT a ,) | You're tall; therefore, you rule. The book is weird. In fact, it's bad. |
Why bother?
• Use joining words to make papers less wordy . Don't use two sentences when one will do!
Examples:
This is a good novel. The reason why I say it is a good novel is because it is funny and well-written.
Revise: This is a good novel because it is funny and well-written.
The novel addresses things that concern all of us. So as a result of this, we should all read it.
Revise: The novel addresses things that concern all of us; therefore, we should all read it.
• Use joining words to clarify ideas. Joining words can create subtle differences of meaning. This is especially important with subordination.
The difference between subordinators and coordinators / transition words
Coordinators and transition words don't emphasize one idea over another. I like cheese, but I can't eat it. Fido ran off, so I decided to look around for another dog. Marriage is a thorny issue; however, that's no reason to lose one's temper about it. Subordinators emphasize one idea over the other – or, to put it another way, they subordinate one idea to another. The lesser idea is subordinated:
- Because you are sick, we will get a doctor. (The cause is subordinated to the effect.)
- If you like cheese, I'll buy some. (The condition is subordinated to the outcome.)
- When Frank gets home, I'll talk to him. (The time is subordinated to the activity.)
Contrast and Concession
Because subordinators elevate one idea over another, you can use these to present contrasts, and to show focus on one idea or another without a lot of fuss.
Although your work has improved a good deal, …
[Are you bracing for good or bad news? Bad news!]
… your papers still aren't passing.
Although you haven't really made much effort, ….
[Here, you're bracing for good news, aren't you?]
… you've done easily enough to get a passing grade.
Although I can't afford the tickets, I really want to go to the World Series this year.
Although I really want to go to the World Series this year, I can't afford the tickets.
(Which speaker is more likely to go to the Series?)
While children are always valued, they are not always protected.
(This paragraph will focus not on the way children are valued, but their lack of protection.)
While children are often unprotected, they are always valued.
(This paragraph supports the opposite view.)
In all of these cases, the writer puts two contrasting ideas together, but clearly emphasizes one of them. This is extremely useful for organizing comparison/contrast papers. The following sentences introduce paragraphs by putting them in a comparative context:
Whereas the turkey is a comic creature, the eagle is a majestic and solemn bird .
While education in the U.S. tends to emphasize individuality, other educational systems focus on the transmission of culture.
Good comparison/contrast words: although, whereas, while, though.
Equally, subordinators are useful to make concessions. This permits the writer to acknowledge the truth of an opposing point, while stressing the importance of its opposite. This is very useful for arguments, where you need to refer to different points of view without confusing the reader as to what you yourself believe.
Although guns do help to prevent crimes, they can also help to make crimes more fatal .
Even though many people do claim to benefit from holistic medicine, there is no evidence that homeopathic or other remedies are any use whatsoever.
Good concession words: although, though, even though.
Using subordinators (especially concessives) to clarify ideas
Joining sentences with a well-chosen word helps you explain yourself more clearly.
In a world where everyone carried a handgun, homicides would probably increase. It is true that unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals. But we all want a lower crime rate.
(What is this speaker's main position: for or against carrying handguns?)
REVISION: Although it is true that unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals, in a world where everyone carried a handgun, homicides would probably increase. We all want a lower crime rate.
Unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals. It is true that in a world where everyone carried a handgun, homicides would probably increase. But people need to defend themselves.
(What is this speaker's main position, do you think?)
REVISION: Although homicides would probably increase in a world where everyone carried a handgun, unarmed people are at the mercy of criminals. People need to defend themselves.
Another explanation
SUBORDINATORS
These words combine clauses to create complex sentences.
See the comma rule page .
Time: when, while, since, before, after, until, once
Place: where, wherever
Cause: because, since, as, now that, inasmuch as
Condition: if, unless, on condition that
Contrast/Concession: although, even though, despite, in spite of
Adversative: while, where, whereas
Other: that, which, who, whoever, whom, what, why, how....
Note: These words introduce clauses, not complete sentences. Thus, when you use these words, you need to make sure to use these words in subordinate clauses that are connected to main clauses with a comma .
Examples: |
If the subordinate clause appears at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma to connect the clauses. Subordinate clauses are not connected with a comma when the subordinate clause is at the end of the sentence.
So, we have these rules:
- [ Subordinator ] + Subject + Verb , Subject + Verb. (comma)
- Subject + Verb [ Subordinator ] + Subject Verb. (no comma)
You can delete some subordinators and still have a complex sentence.
The man (whom) you saw robbed a bank. The comma (that) I added was not necessary.
