Coordination and Subordination

In speech, people tend to use and and so as all-purpose connectors.

He enjoys psychology, and the course requires a lot of work.

The meaning of this sentence may be perfectly clear in speech, which provides clues through voice, facial expressions, and gestures. But in writing, the sentence could have multiple meanings, including these:

Although he enjoys psychology, the course requires a lot of work.

He enjoys psychology even though the course requires a lot of work.

Coordinating conjunctions like and give ideas equal weight, whereas subordinating conjunctions like although emphasize one idea over another.

Chapter contents:

Quick Help: Editing for coordination and subordination

Relating equal ideas

Distinguishing main ideas