English Language and Academic Skills 1

Conjunctions – Coordination – Subordination

At the end of this workshop, you will effectively be able to combine shorter, simpler sentences
into longer ones.

Combining Sentences
Writing shorter sentences is an easy strategy for putting your thoughts down fast when drafting
papers or if you want to avoid grammar mistakes, but in the end it weakens the effectiveness of
your writing. Combining simple sentences with longer and more complex ones will help your
writing have more variety. The following will give you some basic information on how to
combine sentences, and then you will have the chance to practise sentence combining yourself.

Conjunctions
Conjunctions (or coordinating conjunctions) are simple words that allow you to connect two
sentences without having to change any of the words in the original sentences: for, and, nor,
but, or, yet, so
Maria created a CV. She copied it on expensive, high-quality paper. Her prospective
employer was not accepting CVs.
Revised sentence: Maria created a CV, and she copied it on expensive, high-quality paper, but
her prospective employer was not accepting any.

Coordination
These words work in ways that parallel the simple conjunctions listed above, but they are more
complex. We then use conjunctive adverbs: consequently, hence, therefore, however,
nevertheless, by contrast, in addition, furthermore, moreover, additionally, indeed, in fact,
then, similarly, certainly, in other words, etc.
Jonathan read the company website and articles about the company before his
interview. He was able to ask very good questions during his interview.
Revised sentence: Jonathan read the company website and articles about the company before
his interview; therefore, he was able to ask very good questions during his interview.
 English Language and Academic Skills 2

Carly checked the spelling and grammar in her university application twice. She asked
her tutor to check the form one more time.
Revised sentence: Carly checked the spelling and grammar in her university application twice;
in addition, she asked her tutor to check the form one more time.

Jonathan’s car would not start this morning. He got a jump start from his neighbour and
was able to make it to his appointment on time.
Revised sentence: Jonathan’s car would not start this morning; however, he got a jump start
from his neighbour and was able to make it to his appointment on time.

Leyla seems to be a workaholic. She spent the holiday in her office finishing the report.
Revised sentence: Leyla seems to be a workaholic. Indeed, she spent the holiday in her office
finishing the report.

All his friends have been praising the high quality of service in the new coffee shop for
months. When he went there, the waiter was rather rude.
Revised sentence: All his friends have been praising the high quality of service in the new coffee
shop for months; nevertheless, when he went there, the waiter was rather rude.

Subordination
Unlike the conjunctions and coordinators, subordination changes one of the two sentences so that
it becomes dependent upon the other sentence - it is subordinated to the other sentence. We then
use subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though,
for, if, if only, rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wherever,
whether, which, while
More students at college are biking or walking. The price of petrol is continuing to rise.
Revised sentence 1: More students at college are biking or walking because the price of petrol
is continuing to rise.
Revised sentence 2: As the price of petrol is continuing to rise, more students at college are
biking or walking.
 English Language and Academic Skills 3

Revised sentence 3: Since the price of petrol is continuing to rise, more students at college are
biking or walking.

Combining Sentences
Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
1. The president failed to explain the cause of the crisis. He did not offer any solutions.
2. Akira’s wife was due to give birth to their first child in the next several days. He still worked
overtime.
3. Rekha had an intense headache all morning. She smiled and remained alert throughout the
entire meeting.
4. The last storm to come through the area ripped some of the siding off George’s garage. He
visited the DIY centre and invested in storm-proofing materials.
5. Enrolment in the university has been dropping in recent years. Its facilities have been lacking
proper maintenance.

Coordination (consequently, hence, therefore, however, nevertheless, by contrast, in addition,

furthermore, moreover, additionally, indeed, in fact, then, similarly, certainly, in other words,
etc.)
6. Plans for renovating downtown into an upscale shopping centre were finalised. Discussions
began on budgeting city funds for the project.
7. The nearest supermarket started to carry produce and spices that specifically matched the
diets of many people in the community. Shoppers continued to be lured to the big-box store
out on the motorway.
8. The main office has cut our printing and copying budget. We will need to rely more heavily
on e-mail, Skype and instant messaging.
9. The professor suspected that the student was plagiarising on the final paper. The student may
have been plagiarising since the beginning of the semester.
10. Please respond to this e-mail at your earliest convenience so that I can get started here.
Include your notes as an attachment.
 English Language and Academic Skills 4

Subordination (after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, for, if, if only,
rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wherever, whether,
which, while)
11. I had to hand the project over to Max. You didn’t respond to any of my e-mails.
12. Another candidate with more qualifications applies in the next forty-eight hours. You should
get the position without any difficulties.
13. Viktor had prepared and practised for the presentation thoroughly. The projector died, and
the presentation was not successful.
14. You keep calling our customers from last year. You make your sales quota.
15. The instructor copies his lesson directly from the textbook. The students lose interest and
doze off.

Quick Connectors Quiz

1. The judges delivered the sentence promptly ____ the unusual circumstances.
although
despite
Either could be used here.

2. The judges delivered the sentence promptly ____ the case was very unusual.
although
despite
Either could be used here.

3. The judges delivered the sentence promptly ____ the fact that the case was very unusual.
although
despite
Either could be used here.

4. ____ she didn't like the film, I enjoyed it a lot.

Though
Although
Either could be used here.

5. I was late. _____, the others were all on time.

Although
However
Despite
 English Language and Academic Skills 5

6. ____ I was late, the others were all on time.

Although
However
Despite

7. They managed it ____ I wasn't there.

although
despite
however

8. They managed it ____ the fact that I wasn't there.

although
however
despite

9. ____ tired, he managed to finish it on time.

Though
Despite
Either could be used here.

10. ____ hard she tried, she still could not manage it.
However
Despite
Though
Although

11. ____ of the opportunity, no one bothered.

Despite
In spite
Although
Though

Complete each sentence by using either though, however, but, although or either.
1. His work is slow _____sure.
2. _____ he works slowly, he never makes a mistake.
3. I like working Saturdays. I don't like working Sundays, ____.
4. Spending your pay cheque every payday is fun. ____, saving money is important, too.
5. You can take ___ macroeconomics or microeconomics, not both.
 English Language and Academic Skills 6

Rephrase the following sentences using the connector between brackets.

1. The city has a 50 kph limit. Even so, people are often fined for exceeding the speed limit.
(although)
2. Many sportsmen are disqualified as a consequence of their illegal use of drugs.
(consequently)
3. Despite winning the race, John didn't feel happy. (nevertheless)
4. I opened the window because it was hot. (due to)
5. The government passed a new law so that they could control terrorism. (in order to)
6. They lost the match due to the bad weather. (as a consequence)
7. Although she does not enjoy her job, she works hard. (however)
8. She said she didn't want to change her job; however, she may change her mind. (although)
9. Although he was innocent, he was sent to prison. (however)

Comma splice [Gr (c.s.)] = when a comma joins two complete sentences without an appropriate
joining word between them: I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.
I completed my essay, however I have not submitted it.
Run-on sentence [Gr (r.o.s.)] = when you join two complete sentences without any punctuation
mark at all: I completed my essay I have not submitted it.
I completed my essay however I have not submitted it.
Solution 1: Use a full stop / period (Am)
I completed my essay. I have not submitted it.
Solution 2: Use a semicolon
I completed my essay; I have not submitted it.
Solution 3: Use a coordinating conjunction
I completed my essay, yet I have not submitted it.
Solution 4: Use a subordinating conjunction
I completed my essay although I have not submitted it.
Although I completed my essay, I have not submitted it.
Solution 5: Use a semicolon / full stop, a conjunctive adverb and a comma
I completed my essay. However, I have not submitted it.
I completed my essay; however, I have not submitted it.