COORDINATION AND APPOSITION
Nguyen Kim Anh-DFL
A. Coordination
I. Clausal coordination
There are three coordinators: AND, OR, BUT
He tried hard and he succeeded
You should try hard or you will fail.
I tried hard but I failed
1. AND
a. The event in the second clause is a consequence or result of the event in the first
He heard an explosion and he (therefore) phoned the police.
He worked hard and he passed the exam.
b. The event in the second clause is chronologically sequent to the event in the first.
She washed the dishes and (then) she dried them
I opened the door and they walked in silently.

c. The second clause introduces a contrast. AND could be replaced by BUT when this implication is present.
Robert is talkative and (in contrast) his brother is timid.
d. The second clause is a comment on the first
They dislike her- and that’s not surprising.
She can not speak English well, and that makes it difficult for her to study abroad.
e. The second clause introduces an element of surprise in view of the content of the first
He tried hard and (yet) he failed.
She is a famous singer and (yet) she leads a simple life.
Here, BUT could replace AND
f. The first clause is a condition of the second
Give me some money and (then) I’ll help you escape.
The implication is shown by the paraphrase
Give me some money. If you do, (then) I’ll help you escape.
g. The second clause makes a point similar to the first
A trade agreement should be no problem, and (similarly) a cultural exchange could be arranged.
h. The second clause is a “pure” addition to the first
He has long hair and (also) he wears jeans.
2. OR
a. Usually OR is exclusive, expressing the idea that only one of the possibilities can be realized.
You can sleep on the sofa or you can go to a hotel.
You can boil an egg or you can make some cheese sandwiches.
b. Sometimes OR is inclusive, allowing the realization of a combination of the alternatives, and we can explicitly include the third possibility by a third clause
You can clean the floor or you can do the cooking or you can do both.
c. OR may imply a negative condition
Give me some money or I’ll shoot.
can be paraphrased by
Give me some money. If you don’t, I’ll shoot.
3. BUT
BUT denotes a contrast
a. The contrast may be because what is said in the second clause is unexpected in view of what is said in the first
John is poor, but he is happy.
I didn’t want his help, but I had to accept it.
b. The contrast may be a restatement in affirmative term of what has been said or implied negatively in the first
He didn’t waste his time in the week before the exam, but he studied hard every evening.
I don’t hate you, but I adore you.
II. Phrasal coordination
1. Noun phrases
I write articles on current affairs for newspapers and magazines.
You and I are friends.

2. Adjectival phrases
She is young and beautiful.
He is rich but mean.
Is it easy or difficult for you?
His clear and forceful delivery impressed the audience.
Honest and clever students always succeed.
3. Adverb phrases
She speaks slowly and clearly.
You stay here or there.
They are writing their names quickly but carefully.


4. Prepositional phrases
The attack in June and in July failed.
He climbed up the wall and over the wall.

5. Verb phrases
She sang and danced.
Should we go or stay here?
I don’t hate but love you.
III. Ambiguity
1. Our flags are red, white and blue.
2. He painted the cars black and white.
3. Tom and Mary are married.
4. Tom and Mary won a cup.
5. He likes old men and women.
6. The kiwi eats roots and leaves.
B. Ellipsis
1. Ellipsis of subject
She sang and (she) danced.
I may see you tomorrow or (I) may phone later in the day.
Peter ate a cheese sandwich and (Peter) drank a glass of beer
2. Ellipsis of subject and auxiliary
She has washed the dishes and (Mary has) dried them.
They are shouting and (they are) fighting each other.
3. Ellipsis of auxiliary
John should clean the floor and Peter (should) mow the lawn.
John must have been playing football and Mary( must have been) doing her homework.
4. Ellipsis of lexical verb
She will work today and (she) may (work) tomorrow.
5. Ellipsis of verb phrase
Yesterday John was given a railway set and Sue ( was given) a doll.
I work in a factory and my brother (works) on a farm.
6. Ellipsis of verb phrase + subject complement
John was the winner in 1971, and Bob (was the winner) in 1972.
It is cold in December in England but (it’s cold) in July in New Zealand.
7. Ellipsis of verb phrase/ lexical verb + direct object
Peter is playing football for his school and Paul (is playing football) for his club.
Joan will cook the meals today and Barbara may (cook the meals) tomorrow.
8. Ellipsis of direct object
John likes (Mary) and Peter hates, Mary.
George opened (the door) and (George) closed the door.
9. Ellipsis of subject complement
George was (angry), and Bob certainly seemed, angry.
George has been (the chairman), and (George) obviously could again become, the chairman.
10. Ellipsis of adverbial
To my surprise, they didn’t appoint him and they didn’t even interview him.
This afternoon Mary intends to take the children to the beach but I am going to wash my car.
Unfortunately, John is not at home and Sally is too busy to see you.
11. Ellipsis of head of noun phrase
We wanted fried fish, but they gave us boiled (fish)
She wore the red dress, but the blue (dress) suits her better.
12. Ellipsis of complement of prepositional phrase
Bob is bored with (music), but Peter enjoys, music.
C. APPOSITION
1. Indicators of apposition
That is to say, that is, ie (formal and written), namely, in other words, or, or rather, or better, and, as follows, for example, for instance, e.g, say, including, included, such as, especially, particularly, in particular, notably, chiefly, mostly, etc
2. Non-restrictive apposition
The Dean of DFL, Mr. Tien, is very friendly.
Mr. Tien, the dean of DFL, is very friendly.
A teacher of DFL, namely Ms. Kim, is very hard.
The children liked the animals, such as monkeys, elephants.
The children liked the animals, particularly the monkeys.