0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Coordinating vs. subordinating conjuctions vs.
I teach grammar to high schoolers, and I'm stymied: I can't figure out what the ACTUAL difference is between coordinating and subordinating conjuctions!
Specifically, I'm struggling with "for" (to coordinating conjunction, not the preposition) and "because".
I think my confusion can be stated in these two sentences:
A. I ate the octopus, for I ran for Congress.
B. I ate the octopus, because I ran for Congress.
Are both sentences even grammatically correct?
Is there any difference in meaning between these sentences?
My brother-in-law suggested that (B) was wrong, and should be corrected to:
C. Because I ran for Congress, I ate the octopus.
If he’s right, I suppose that’s another question: why would flipping the clauses make it correct?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Specifically, I'm struggling with "for" (to coordinating conjunction, not the preposition) and "because".
I think my confusion can be stated in these two sentences:
A. I ate the octopus, for I ran for Congress.
B. I ate the octopus, because I ran for Congress.
Are both sentences even grammatically correct?
Is there any difference in meaning between these sentences?
My brother-in-law suggested that (B) was wrong, and should be corrected to:
C. Because I ran for Congress, I ate the octopus.
If he’s right, I suppose that’s another question: why would flipping the clauses make it correct?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Top answer
All of the sentences sound very strange. What has running for Congress got to do with eating an octopus?
- All of the sentences sound very strange.
- What has running for Congress got to do with eating an octopus?
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
All of the sentences sound very strange. What has running for Congress got to do with eating an octopus?
00
For as a coordinating conjunction is only used in literary sources, and those of an older style.
You seldom will see it used in everyday situations. It sounds rather formal. Here is an example.
Serve the king faithfully, for you will be well rewarded.
You would be better off if you used examples from reliable sources. There are several here:
You seldom will see it used in everyday situations. It sounds rather formal. Here is an example.
Serve the king faithfully, for you will be well rewarded.
You would be better off if you used examples from reliable sources. There are several here:
0
Related Questions