Coordinating conjunction can be used with three types of constituents: nouns (or noun phrases), verb (or verb phrases), and full clauses.[1] Some language encode all three the same way (for example, using the conjunction ‘and’ in each of the three cases), while others distinguish nominal conjunction from verbal and clausal conjunction. The encoding of verbal and clausal conjunction are only rarely ever distinguished, and so they are grouped together for the purposes of this parameter.[2]

Optional use of other conjunctive strategies may occur with any of the three types of constituents. The parameter value of a given language should reflect the dominant strategy of that language.[3]

Identification of conjunctions can be problematic. A subtype of coordination, conjunction expresses the function ‘and.’ Difficulty may arise in the case of ‘with-languages,’ which express coordination with comitative adpositions, but distinctions in word order, stress, agreement, and other grammatical features may offer a clue. The use of juxtaposition presents another challenge, because the expression of conjunction is not always clear. Finally, coordination should not be confused with subordination.[4]

Types:

Juxta: Both nominal and verbal conjunction are expressed through juxtaposition.

NomConj=VConj: Nominal conjunction and verbal conjunction are expressed through the use of the same coordinating conjunction(s).

NomConj~VConj: Nominal conjunction and verbal conjunction are expressed in part through the use of the same coordinating conjunction(s) and in part through the use of distinct strategies.

NomConjNotVConj: Nominal conjunction and verbal conjunction are expressed through distinct strategies.[5]

[1] Although this parameter does not address the conjunction of adverbials, if the strategy used to express the latter diverges from the parameter value assigned to a given language, this information may be included in the commentary.

[2] If clausal conjunction does in fact differ, this should be detailed in the commentary.

[3] If the dominant strategy cannot be determined, the value for partial strategies (NomConj~VConj) may apply.

[4] Some languages may use a different grammatical strategy with dependent verb forms than with simple clauses. In this case, the latter is considered to be a subordinate clause, rather than an example of coordination.

[5] These strategies should be detailed in the commentary.