SAT Reading & Writing: Subordination and Coordination
36+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
Coordination joins two equal ideas using FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) with a comma, or a semicolon.
- 2
Subordination joins unequal ideas, making one dependent on the other using subordinating conjunctions (Although, Because, Since, While, If).
- 3
Avoid double conjunctives. You cannot use both a subordinating AND a coordinating conjunction to join the same two clauses.
- 4
Incorrect: "Although it was raining, but we still played." (Use "Although" OR "but," not both).
- 5
The conjunction must create logically sound relationships. Use "because" for cause, "although/but" for contrast, etc.
- ✗ Selecting a choice with redundant conjunctions (double-jointed clauses).
- ✗ Using a contrast word (however) when a cause/effect word (therefore) is needed by the logical context.
SAT-style practice
_____ the team worked late into the night, they could not finish the presentation by morning.
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