The use of co-ordinating conjunctions

When the subject is the same in all parts of the sentence, it is usual not to repeat it. We do not usually put a comma in front of and, but we generally use one in front of other conjunctions:

1.20.1 Addition/sequence: 'and'; 'both...and'; 'not only...but...(too/as
well)'; 'not only...but (also)...'; 'and then'

He washed the car He polished it

He washed the car and polished it

He not only washed the car, but polished it (too/as well)

He washed the car and then polished it

When the subjects are different, they must both be used: You can wait here and I'II get the car Jim speaks Spanish, but his wife speaks French

1.20.2 Contrast: 'but'; yet'

He washed the car He didn't polish it

He washed the car but didn't polish it

She sold her house She can't help regretting it

She sold her house, but/yet (she) can't help regretting it

1.20.3 Alternatives: either...or...'; 'neither...nor...'

He speaks French Or perhaps he understands it

He either speaks French, or understands it (I'm not sure which)

He doesn't speak French He doesn't understand it He neither speaks French, nor understands it

1 The sentence

1.20.4 Result: 'so'

He couldn t find his pen He wrote in pencil He couldn t find his pen so he wrote in pencil (The subject is usually repeated after so)

1.20.5 Cause: 'for'

We rarely stay in hotels We can t afford it

We rarely stay in hotels for we can't afford it Forgives the reason for something that has already been stated Unlike because [> 1 48], it cannot begin a sentence The subject must be repeated after for This use of for is more usual in the written language

Linking simple sentences by commas, etc.

More than two simple sentences can be joined by commas with only one conjunction which is used before the final clause The use of a comma before and is optional here

/ found a bucket put it in the smk() and turned the tap on

I took off my coat searched all my pockets but couldn t find my key

Sometimes subject and verb can be omitted In such cases, a sentence is simple, not compound [> 1.15-16]

The hotel was cheap but clean

Does the price include breakfast only or dinner as well⁷ A second question can be avoided by the use of or not

Does the price include breakfast or not? (= or doesn't it?)

The complex sentence: introduction