Fanboys and Semicolons

PFA #3

Coordinating & Subordinating Conjunctions & Semicolons

Coordinating Conjunctions

What are they?

​A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two elements of equal grammatical rank and syntactic importance. They can join two verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses.

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The seven coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So (FANBOYS).

Multiple Choice

Which of the choices below uses a subordinating conjunction correctly for the underlined portion?

The idea of bringing back extinct species holds obvious appeal after a steady 30-year stream of grim news. Although financial resources are limited money must be allocated appropriately to stop de-extinction.

• Although, financial resources are limited money must be allocated appropriately to stop de-extinction.

• NO CHANGE

• Although financial resources are limited money must be allocated, appropriately to stop de-extinction.

• Although financial resources are limited, money must be allocated appropriately to stop de-extinction.

Multiple Choice

Which of the choices below correctly uses subordinating conjunctions in the underlined portion?

Ralph was disappointed in the behavior of Jack and the other boys. He was not comfortable with the boys relaxing and having fun, unless they had fully secured shelters and kept the firing going.

• NO CHANGE

• relaxing, and having fun unless they had

• relaxing and having fun unless they had

• relaxing and having fun unless, they had

Multiple Choice

Which of the choices below is correct for the underlined portion?

Humans have been consuming coffee for centuries. Coffee houses exploded in popularity during the Colonial Era. Although they were protested by clergy and women there were still over 2,000 of them in London in the 17th and 18th centuries.

• Although they were protested by clergy and women, there

• Although, they were protested by clergy and women there

• Although they were protest by clergy, and women there

• NO CHANGE

Subordinating Conjunctions

What are they?

A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause.

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This word or phrase indicates that a clause has informative value to add to the sentence’s main idea, signaling a cause-and-effect relationship or a shift in time and place between the two clauses.

Multiple Choice

Which of these words is a subordinating conjunction?

Mr. Harrison read a magazine as he sipped his tea.

• read

• magazine

• his

• as

Multiple Choice

Which subordinating conjunction best completes the meaning of this sentence?

Maria thought carefully __________ her teacher waited for her answer.

• after

• if

• before

• before

Multiple Choice

______ I've already seen that movie, I would watch it again.

• Therefore

• Because

• Although

So what's the difference?

Coordinating

• ​Show relationships between two: words, phrases, and independent clauses.

Subordinating

• ​Connect an independent and a dependent clause

• ​Show cause-and-effect

• ​Show shift in time or place

Semicolons

What are they?

A semicolon joins two independent clauses together to create a complex sentence. The semicolon communicates a deeper relationship. Think of it as shorthand for a conjunction.

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Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

In 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won both the 100- and 200-meter dash moreover, he became the first man in Olympic history to hold the world record for both events.

• In 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won both the 100- and 200-meter dash moreover; he became the first man in Olympic history to hold the world record for both events.

• In 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won both the 100- and 200-meter dash, moreover, he became the first man in Olympic history to hold the world record for both events.

• In 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won both the 100- and 200-meter dash; moreover, he became the first man in Olympic history to hold the world record for both events.

Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses correct punctuation for the underlined portion?

The city of Lakewood is soliciting bids from contractors to replace the south wall of the library; furthermore, it is seeking bids from landscaping companies to start once the wall is complete.

• The city of Lakewood is soliciting bids from contractors to replace the south wall of the library; furthermore, it is seeking bids from landscaping companies to start once the wall is complete.

• The city of Lakewood is soliciting bids from contractors to replace the south wall of the library, furthermore, it is seeking bids from landscaping companies to start once the wall is complete.

• The city of Lakewood is soliciting bids from contractors to replace the south wall of the library furthermore, it is seeking bids from landscaping companies to start once the wall is complete.

• The city of Lakewood is soliciting bids from contractors to replace the south wall of the library furthermore; it is seeking bids from landscaping companies to start once the wall is complete.

Multiple Choice

Which of the answer choices below correctly combines these two sentences into one?

I sprinted to the library.

It was closed.

• Though I sprinted to the library it was closed.

• I sprinted to the library, it was closed.

• I sprinted to the library; it was closed.

• I sprinted to the library, though it was closed.