Coordination and Parallel Structure

Using Coordinating Conjunctions and Paired

Coordinators and Maintaining Parallel

Structure04/19/23 1

What is coordination? Coordination is a method of

combining words, phrases, and clauses.

Coordinated structures are equal in importance.

Thus, they should be parallel in structure;

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What is parallel structure? When a writer repeats the same

grammatical unit (word, phrase, clause, and/or even paragraph structure), she is using parallel structure.

Parallel structure is required when using coordination to join words, phrases, or clauses in a single sentence.

Here are some famous examples of parallel structure:

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Famous examples for Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during World War II:

All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope. Note: the words in italics are all nouns.

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Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary.

Note: this sentence demonstrates parallel structure in two independent clauses: S + V + [complement], but S + V +

[complement].

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Parallelism within a single sentence:

He has blue eyes. He has gray hair. He has a grey beard.

He has blue eyes, gray hair, and a grey beard.

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Today, students can simultaneously send text messages to their friends.

They can simultaneously take notes from their instructors.

They can simultaneously listen to music on their I-pods. Today, students can simultaneously send

text messages to their friends, take notes from their instructors, and listen to music on their I-pods.

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Students have to deal with three issues. They have to deal with too little money. They have to deal with too much

homework. They have to deal with too little sleep.

Students have to deal with three issues: too little money, too much homework, and too little sleep.

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Parallelism in a paragraph

Parallel structure can be used to organize a paragraph.

See the following examples from two speeches:

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Parallelism within a paragraph:

“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"

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Martin Luther King, 1963 Speech at the Lincoln Memorial

I have a dream that one day . . . little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

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Lesson Summary

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to Recognize parallel structure, Use parallel structure effectively, Maintain parallel structure

between/among coordinated items, and

Correctly punctuate coordinated items.

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2 types of coordinators Coordinating conjunctions:

For, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so are the most common coordinators.

Paired Coordinators: Both. . .and; either. . .or; neither. . .nor; whether. . .or; and not only. . .but also

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You join words, phrases, and/or clauses with simple coordinators, paired coordinators, or series coordinators.

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I. Simple Coordination uses

coordinating conjunctions to combine

2 words Bitsy bites and growls at strangers.

2 phrases Grading papers and preparing lessons

take a lot of time. 2 clauses

The giant panda Ling Ling is expecting a baby, so the zoo doctors are very excited.

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Simple Coordinators The words used to achieve simple

coordination are the coordinating conjunctions For And Nor But Or Yet So

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Meanings of the Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions signal specific relationships between the coordinated items.

Study the charts on the next two slides to see the relationship signaled by specific coordinating conjunctions.

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Chart: Coordinating Conjunctions and Their Relationhips

Addition and Jean ate tacos and pizza.

Contrast butyet

I want to buy a new car, but (yet) I don’t have enough money.

Effect so I had little sleep, so I was tired.

Cause for I was tired, for I had little sleep.

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Chart continuedTime And then We ate dinner,

and then we watched television.

Alternative – one but not the other

Or I have time to study or sleep.

Negative alternatives-- not either of them

Nor He didn’t sleep, nor did he eat.

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Simple Coordination with

2 nouns

He likes tacos and pizza. Cats and dogs make good pets. He enjoys hiking and skiing.

Note: When coordinating two words, do not use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

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Simple Coordination with 2 Verbs She watches television and studies at

the same time. He has applied for a job and rented an

apartment. She has been studying and working hard. NOTE: if you are coordinating two or

more verb phrases and they are the same verb tense, do not repeat the helper verb(s).

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Practice: Write three sentences that have coordinated predicate verbs. Use the coordinator in parentheses to join the verbs.

1. (and)______________________2. (but)______________________3. (nor)_______________________

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However,

If you are coordinating two verb phrases but they do not have the same form (tense), then you must use the full tenses, for example I could have slept longer but did not

choose to.

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Form a simple sentence from the two clauses by coordinating the predicates with an appropriate

I hate soap operas. I cannot imagine watching them.

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Simple Coordination with 2 Adjectives

The red and blue flag flapped in the wind.

I have a cute and cuddly cat. The crying and sniffling child

clung to his mother. I was a curious yet cautious child.

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Simple Coordination with 2 phrases -ing phrases (gerund + objects):

Studying for exams and taking care of a family fill up my daily schedule.

-infinitive phrases (to + base + object): When I graduate, I want to get a better

job and buy a house. verb phrases:

Fay smokes cigars and talks on her cell at the same time.

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Practice: Write three sentences, each of which has coordinated phrases.

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________

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Simple Coordination with 2 independent clauses (IC) IC + comma + [coord. conj] + IC.

The hurricane damaged the traffic lights, so driving on the roads was very dangerous.

NOTE: There is a subject and verb on both

sides of the “so.” Therefore, you must use a comma + a

coordinating conjunction.

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Tips on Using “Nor” in simple coordination. You must use nor (not or) when

negating the second of two negative independent clauses: He cannot find anyone now, nor does

he expect to find anyone in the future. Jane will never compromise with Bill,

nor will Bill compromise with Jane. Note that in these constructions, nor requires

question (inverted) word order in the second clause.

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Parallel after a colon

A colon at the end of a sentence often signals that what follows is a list of some kind. The items in this list should always be in parallel form: My ideal spouse has several

characteristics: honesty, fidelity, and intelligence.

We put the gigantic chair at every possible place in the room: near the window, in front of the fire place, in the corner.

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Practice with Simple Coordination: Complete each sentence.

1. Jerome just bought a new car, but __________________________.

2. I’ve got several ways to save money at the grocery store: __________________________

3. John cooked dinner and __________________________.

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II. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctives require the writer to use two words or two pairs of words to coordinate items: both. . .and; either. . .or; neither. . .nor; whether. . .or; and not only. . .but also

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Like coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions signal specific relationships between the coordinated items.

The charts on the next two slides present the relationships.

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Chart: Correlative Conjunctions and Their Relationships

Addition with emphasis

Both. . .and Both Thuy and Neringa passed the exam.

alternative Whether. . .or

I don’t know whether to study or party.

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Chart: Correlative Conjunctions and Their Relationships continued

PositiveAlternative – one but not both

Either. . .or I either fell asleep or spaced out during the lecture.

Negative alternative –not both

Neither. . .nor

I neither fell asleep nor spaced out during the lecture.

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Chart: Correlative Conjunctions and Their Relationships continued

Addition with strong emphasis

Not only. . .but also

He is not only brilliant but also kind.

He not only sings but also plays the guitar.

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Correlative Conjunctions with Nouns

Neither the rain nor the sleet stopped the mailman.

He gave the book to either Jeanne or Grace.

Not only the tired, confused student but also the irritated, stressed out teacher decided to leave early.

I am not sure whether Dayanne or Jin went to the party.

Both Pui and her sister are taking EAP writing.

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When using neither in a construction that negates two parts of a sentence, use nor (not or) in the second part. He is neither able nor (not or)

willing to go. She has neither money nor

ambition.

.

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Correlative Conjunctions with Adjectives

He bought either a blue or a red Mini-Cooper.

She is neither energetic nor entertaining.

Tomas is not only wise but also generous.

Jean Pierre is both generous and hardworking.

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Write 3 sentences about yourself. Use the correlative conjunctions to coordinate two adjectives.

(not only. . .but also) (neither. . .nor) (both. . .and)

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Correlative Conjunctions with Verbs

Samantha either drove or walked to school.

He not only ate but also studied. The man has not only lied but also

stolen. The student should both study more

and relax more. Whether he studies or exercises is

up to him. 04/19/23 41

Practice:

Everyday, I not only ____________ but also ______________.

I don’t know whether I ___________ or _____________.

Yesterday, I neither ___________ nor _____________.

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Correlative Conjunctions with Phrases

Phrases Gerund phrase:

Neither taking a nap nor watching television helped him relax.

Infinitive phrase: He preferred either to watch television

or to surf the Internet.

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Participial Phrase: She was either bored after his lecture or

insulted during the lecture. Prepositional Phrase:

Jason was so angry that he threw his textbooks both out the window and into the trash.

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Correlative Conjunctions with Clauses

Like coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions can join clauses.

However, the word order differs when combining clauses with paired coordinators.

Know the word order rules for paired coordinators

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Rules for not only . . .but also When coordinating two

independent clauses with not only. . .but also, The first IC begins with Not only, has

question word order, and is followed with a comma: Not only is he tired,

The comma is followed by but also, the second IC in statement word order, and a period.

Not only is he tired, but also he is sick.

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Demonstration:

1. You should rest. (IC)2. You should exercise. (IC)

1. Not only should you rest, but also you should exercise.

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Practice: Use not only. . .but also to combine each pair of independent clauses.

1. Susan sings.2. Susan dances.

1. ____________________________

3. Jose has read several books this week.

4. Jose has written more than five essays.

1. ____________________________

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Practice: Answers

1. Susan sings.2. Susan dances.

1. Not only does Susan dance, but also she sings.

3. Jose has read several books this week.4. Jose has written more than five essays.

1. Not only has Jose read several books this week, but also he has written five essays.

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Rules for either. . .or

1. Begin the first clause with Either and the second clause with or

2. Use a comma between the first IC and the second IC.

3. Use statement word order in both independent clauses.

1. Either the teacher gave the wrong assignment, or the student misunderstood the assignment.

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Rules for neither. . .nor

1. Begin the first clause with Neither and the second clause with nor

2. Use a comma between the first IC and the second IC.

3. Use question word order in both independent clauses.

Neither has the teacher given the wrong assignment, nor has the student misunderstood the assignment.

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Practice: Use either. . .or OR neither. . .nor to combine the pairs of ICs.

1. Lee didn’t study for the exam.2. Lee didn’t turn in his homework.

____________________________

3. Joyce did her homework. 4. Joyce cooked dinner for her

family. ____________________________

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Practice: Answers

1. Long didn’t study for the exam.2. Long didn’t turn in his homework.

Either Long didn’t study for the exam, or he didn’t turn in his homework. (Long didn’t do one of the actions.)

3. Joyce did her homework. 4. Joyce cooked dinner for her family.

Either Joyce did her homework, or she cooked dinner for her family.

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Rules for whether. . .or Use whether at the beginning of a noun

clause and then use or to set out the alternative nouns, adjectives, verbs, or ICs: I don’t know whether crying or laughing is

the best solution. I wonder whether he cried or laughed. Whether she left early or late is unclear. The teacher doesn’t care whether we turn

in our essays in class or send them by e-mail.

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Practice: Write three sentences using whether . . . if

1. _________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________

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Words Many moviegoers think Hannibal Lecter

is dangerous, mysterious, and fascinating.

I cooked, washed, and studied. NOTE: In series coordination with words and

phrases, always use a comma and the coordination conjunction and between the last two items in the series: 1, 2, and 3; 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Series Coordination (three or more items in a series) with --

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Coordination of phrases in a series

Verb Phrases: The car sped down the icy hill, slid

over the embankment, and slammed into a tree.

Participial phrases: Standing in line, talking on the phone,

and listening to her children fight are Maria’s least favorite activities.

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Coordination of Clauses in a Series

Hillary Clinton is a caring mother; she is an accomplished attorney, and she speaks intelligently about important issues.

Note about Punctuation: When coordinating 3 or more short independent clauses, use a comma to join those clauses not joined by the comma + coordinating conjunction.

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5 Tips on Coordination

Coordination requires parallel construction, which means that the coordinated items should have the same form if possible.

He enjoys sailing and sky diving. She has not arrived nor called. Sandra ate dinner, and then she

called her mom.

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Paired coordination requires that the paired coordinators be in the same grammatical position in the sentence.

He is neither a banker nor an accountant.

She smokes not only cigarettes but also cigars.

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Do not use a comma when only two words or phrases are being coordinated, either with simple or paired coordination.

Don and Joanne like to ski. I have to write an essay and a lab

report.

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Do use a comma when coordinating three or more words, phrases, or clauses: After eating a taco, gulping a Pepsi, and

gobbling up a Snickers candy bar, Neringa had a stomach.

When I get home from school, I eat a sandwich, change into my uniform, and drive to work.

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Use a comma when coordinating two clauses with a coordinating conjunction.

I enjoyed the movie, so I want to see it again.

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