Coordinatively

Coordinatively is an adverb describing the manner in which elements in a sentence or clause are connected through coordination. It is formed from the adjective coordinating (coordinative) plus the suffix -ly. The term is most commonly used in linguistic descriptions of syntax.

In linguistics, coordination is the syntactic relation that joins two or more constituents of equal status, typically using coordinating conjunctions such as and, or, and but, or by punctuation. Coordinatively indicates that the elements are linked in a coordinated, parallel fashion rather than in a hierarchical, dependent relationship. For example: “The two teams worked coordinatively to complete the project,” or “The sentence contains two coordinated clauses joined coordinatively by ‘and’.” Coordinative structure often aims for symmetry and parallelism in form.

Coordinatively distinct from subordination, where one element is dependent on another, coordination treats joined elements as peers. In typology and practice, languages vary in how strictly they require explicit coordinators, how they handle ellipsis in coordinated sequences (as in gapping), and how coordination interacts with word order and morphology.

Usage notes: coordinatively is relatively rare in everyday English and is more commonly found in linguistic writing, grammars, or theoretical discussions. In ordinary prose, writers are more likely to use phrases such as “in coordination,” “coordinated,” or “jointly.” The concept remains central to analyses of syntax, parallel structure, and sentence rhythm.

See also: coordination (linguistics), conjunction, parallelism, gapping.