UNLINKED COORDINATION
Linking by means of and, or or but is the most usual pattern, but it is not the only one. When no explicit formal link is present, but the relationship is one of equivalence, we have unlinked coordination, as long as a relation of relevance can be inferred. We interpret the meanings of the conjoins by inferring the semantic connection between them, based on our cultural knowledge. For instance, 1 relies on the knowledge that a hallmark guarantees authenticity.
1 It must be genuine; it has the hallmark.
2 It’s like going out with a child; she stops dead and refuses to go any further.
3 He had been drinking very hard – only I knew how hard.
4 You must make up a better excuse: no-one will believe that.
In the spoken language, intonation is a helpful guide, while in writing the symmetry of this type of clause relationship is reflected in punctuation by the use of the semicolon, colon or dash, the latter most common in fictional dialogue. In essays and other academic genres the correct use of the semi-colon is approved of as it reflects balance, while a dash could seem too informal.
Instead of relying on implicit semantic connection between the clauses, clarifying connectives can also prove useful here in making explicit the type of connection in each case. Ultimately, it is the choice of the speaker or writer to present the relationships as s/he sees them, relying on the hearer’s ability to make the connection:
This picture is not the original; in other words, it’s a forgery. (restating)
We need someone to fix this machine; that is to say, we need a mechanic. (restating)
You can’t count on trains being punctual here; for instance, the 10.55 left at 11.15 yesterday. (exemplification)
I was completely ignorant of women; in fact, I knew none except my own sisters. (upgrading)
I didn’t mind their questions – indeed, I was glad to be able to answer them. (upgrading)
