…business people from large and small companies.
…European and American traditions.
adjectives after verbs
8.186 When you use two adjectives after a linking verb, you put and between them.
Mrs Scott’s house was large and imposing.
The room was large and square.
On this point we can be clear and precise.
using other conjunctions
8.187 You can also put but, yet, or or between adjectives.
When you link contrasting adjectives, you put but or yet between them.
…a small but comfortable hotel.
We are poor but happy. …a firm yet gentle hand.
When you want to say that either of two adjectives could apply, or to ask which adjective applies, you use or.
You can use red or black paint.
Call me if you feel lonely or bored.
Is this good or bad?
If you want to say that neither of two adjectives applies, you use or in a negative sentence.
He was not exciting or good-looking.
Another way of saying that neither of two adjectives applies is to put neither in front of the first one and nor in front of the second one.
He is neither young nor handsome.
Their diet is neither healthy nor varied.
linking adverbs together
8.188 You can put and between adverbs.
Mary was breathing quietly and evenly.
We have to keep airports running smoothly and efficiently.
They walk up and down, smiling.
When you link contrasting adverbs, you put but or yet between them.
Quickly but silently she darted out of the cell.
If you want to say that neither of two adverbs applies, you use a negative sentence with or between the adverbs, or you put neither in front of the first adverb and nor in front of the second one.
Giving birth does not happen easily or painlessly.
The story ends neither happily nor unhappily.
8.189 For information on how to coordinate more than two adjectives, see paragraph 8.201.
Linking other words and phrases
8.190 Coordinating conjunctions can also be used to link prepositions, prepositional phrases, modifiers, and determiners.
linking prepositions together
8.191 You can use and to link prepositions that apply to the same noun.
We see them on their way to and from school.
You should take the tablets during and after your visit.
linking prepositional phrases together
8.192 You can use and to link prepositional phrases when you are describing similar actions, situations, or things.
They walked across the lawn and down the garden path.
They had crumbs around their mouths and under their chins.
However, if the phrases describe the same action, situation, or thing, you do not put and between them.
Her husband was hit over the head with a mallet.
They walked down the drive between the chestnut trees.
…a man of about forty with wide staring eyes.
linking modifiers and determiners together
8.193 You can use and or or to link modifiers.
…the largest fridge and freezer manufacturer in Germany.
This would not apply to a coal or oil supplier.
You can use or to link the determiners his and her.
Your child’s school will play an important part in shaping the rest of his or her life.
Emphasizing coordinating conjunctions
8.194 When you are using coordinating conjunctions, you sometimes want to emphasize that what you are saying applies to both the words or phrases linked by the conjunction. You usually do this by putting a word such as both or neither in front of the first word or phrase.
8.195 When you are using and, the most common way of emphasizing that what you are saying applies to two phrases is to put both in front of the first phrase.
By that time both Robin and Drew were overseas.
They feel both anxiety and joy.
These headlines both mystified and infuriated him.
Investment continues both at home and abroad.
The medicine is both expensive and in great demand.
Another way is to use and also instead of and.
Wilkins drove racing cars himself and also raced powerboats.
The job of the library is to get books to people and also to get information to them.
8.196 For stronger emphasis, you can put not only or not just in front of the first word or phrase, and but or but also between the two words or phrases.
The team is playing really well, not only in England but now in Europe.
Employers need to think more seriously not only of attracting staff but of keeping them.
8.197 When you are using or, the most common way of emphasizing that what you are saying applies to two words or phrases is to put either in front of the first word or phrase.
Sentences can be either true or false.
You can either buy a special insecticide or get help from an expert.
Either Margaret or John should certainly have come to see me by now.
Either we raise money from outside or we close part of the museum.