Short on time? This page is the recap. For explanations and worked examples, use the full study guide.
Recap
- Coordination joins ideas of equal rank with for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, correlative pairs (both… and), or a semicolon.
- Subordination makes one idea depend on another through words such as although, because, when, if, unless, while, who, which.
- Writers frequently use coordination to show balance or equality and subordination to show imbalance or inequality.
- Changing the conjunction changes the relationship, and often the writer’s stance.
Key relationships
| Structure | What it signals |
|---|---|
| A, and B | Addition, equal weight |
| A, but B | Contrast between equals; B often last and stressed |
| A; B | Two related ideas set side by side |
| A, so B | Cause and effect between equals |
| Although A, B | A conceded, B is the main point |
| A because B | B is the reason for A |
| If / unless A, B | B depends on a condition |
| B, which / who A | A is extra information about B |
Contrast sets to remember
- “The scheme cut waiting lists, but it cost a great deal.” (balanced contrast)
- “Although the scheme cut waiting lists, it cost a great deal.” (cost is the main point)
- “The scheme cut waiting lists, although it cost a great deal.” (benefit is the main point)
Public-domain anchors
- Lincoln (1865): “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.” Coordination gives the two sides equal standing and sets up the irony of the final clause.
- Dickens (1859): “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Independent clauses of equal form place opposites side by side so that they coexist.
Worked mini-example
Three versions of one fact set (Marlbridge):
- “The park is beautiful, and the park is dangerous at night.” Equal weight; both ideas matter.
- “Although the park is beautiful, it is dangerous at night.” The beauty is conceded; the danger is the main point. The writer is probably arguing for better lighting.
- “The park is beautiful, although it is dangerous at night.” The danger is conceded; the beauty is the main point. The writer is probably defending the park.
Analysis sentence: “By subordinating the park’s beauty to its danger, the writer concedes a point to appear fair and then directs the reader to the main concern, safety.”
Mistakes to avoid
- Reading “subordinate” as “unimportant”.
- Describing the structure without its effect: always say what the arrangement shows about the relationship.
- Treating “but” and “although” as identical.
- A comma splice in your own writing: two independent clauses joined only by a comma.
- A string of “and”s that gives every idea the same weight when you mean to rank them.
- Using subordination so heavily that the main claim is lost.
Quick self-check
- Identify the subordinate clause: “The mayor resigned because the audit found errors.” (because the audit found errors)
- Which sentence stresses that the product failed: “Although it was cheap, it broke” or “It was cheap, although it broke”? (The first: “it broke” is the main clause and sits in the end position. The second makes the low price the main point.)
- What does a semicolon between two independent clauses suggest? (Two related ideas of equal rank, with the link left for the reader to draw.)
Next: practice questions.