Difference Between Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunction

In the English language, we use conjunctions to link two words, clauses, phrases or sentences. These are used to add coherence in your piece of writing, by joining essential components within or between the sentences. There are various types of conjunctions such as coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions are the linking words that link ideas of equal importance, function or structure.

Correlative conjunctions are one that works in pair, with both the words working along in order to create a balance in words, phrases or clauses such as either…or, neither…nor, whether…or, not only.

Lastly, subordinating conjunctions are used to add a subordinate clause to an independent clause. In this article, we are going to discuss the difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

Content: Coordinating Vs Subordinating Conjunction

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Coordinating Conjunction	Subordinating Conjunction
Meaning	Coordinating Conjunctions links two or more words, clauses, phrases or sentences of equal importance.	Subordinating Conjunction are the words that links a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Forms	Weak connection	Strong connection
Joins	Two independent clauses	Dependent and Independent clause
Sentences	Compound Sentences	Complex Sentences
Position	In-between two clauses	Beginning of a sentence or between two clauses

Definition of Coordinating Conjunction

Coordinating Conjunctions or Coordinators refers to the linking words that connect two or more nouns, verbs, adjectives, independent clauses or sentences. It usually connects two units of similar grammatical type and syntactic significance. Further, it gives equal importance to the pair of main clauses.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions which can be remembered with the word “FANBOYS’, i.e. for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. In writing, there are three patterns that use coordinating conjunctions, given as under:

• If we connect two main clauses, with coordinating conjunction, we add a comma before the coordinating conjunction, such that:
  Main clause + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Main clause
• If we connect two grammatical elements or units, we use coordinating conjunction, in this way:
  Unit 1 + Coordinating Conjunction + Unit 2
• If we connect three or more units in a series, we use a comma before the coordinating conjunction, in this way:
  Unit 1 + Unit 2 + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Unit 3

Definition of Subordinating Conjunction

Subordinating Conjunction or subordinators are used to join two clauses wherein one is dependent and the other is independent. The dependent clause provides additional information which is may or may not be necessary. On the other hand, an independent clause is a standalone clause.

Subordinate Conjunction stresses on the idea in the main (independent) clause than in the subordinate (dependent) clause. Further, it expresses a change amidst the two ideas in the sentence in terms of time, place or cause and effect relationship. These are after, although, before, that, though, whether, unless, until, then, that, where, while, even if, so that, rather than, because, etc.

When the subordinating clause starts with a relative pronoun such as who, whose, where, which, etc., the use of comma depends on the nature of clause. In writing, there are two patterns that use subordinating conjunctions:

• If the information provided in the relative clause is essential, we do not use a comma before the conjunction, in this way:
  Main clause + Essential relative clause
• If the information provided in the relative clause is nonessential, we use a comma before the conjunction, in this way:
  Main clause + , + Nonessential relative clause

Further, we also use a comma when the dependent clause is placed first, in order to separate the two clauses. However, if the independent clause comes first, no comma is placed.

Conclusion

Conjunctions are used in sentences to express an additional or contrasting idea, to show cause and effect relationship, to show purpose, to show the relationship of time and place.

Coordinating conjunction joins two elements of a similar kind, wherein the two elements do not rely on each other. On the other hand, the subordinating conjunction joins the subordinate clause with the main clause to provide extra details.