Syntax. Part V. Conjunctions. Lesson 1. Coordinating conjunctions. Синтаксис. Часть V. Союзы. Урок 1. Сочинительные союзы.

(a) The main coordinating conjunctions (и, a, но, или) may be used in all registers. In colloquial speech, in which language tends to be spontaneous and less well organised, coordinating conjunctions are the principal means of linking the clauses of complex sentences and subordinating conjunctions play a lesser role. The following points about the Russian coordinating conjunctions should be particularly noted by the English-speaking student.