Flashcard 5 - Writing and Language Flashcard Set for the PSAT/NMSQT Exam

A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction between words or clauses that are grammatically equal, whereas a subordinating conjunction is a conjunction that separates unequal words or clauses.

Here is an example of a coordinating conjunction separating two equal independent clauses: “I went outside, but it started to rain.” Here is an example of a subordinating conjunction separating unequal clauses (one is dependent): “I was sad because of the rain.” Notice that the clause after the because cannot stand alone. Remember the acronym FANBOYS for coordinating conjunctions.