Coordinate means having equal status or importance. The prefix co- often means "equal." A coordinate clause is a clause that has equal status in a sentence with one or more other clauses. A coordinate clause usually begins with a coordinating conjunction (the most common are FANBOYS: for, and, not, but, or, yet, so). I went home and the ant bit me. Both "I went home" and "the ant bit me" have equal status. The coordinate clause is the one that starts with the coordinate conjunction ("...and the ant bit me.") See also: http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/conjunctions-coordinating.htm ``````````````````````````` A subordinate (or dependant) clause serves an independant clause. It cannot stand on its own as a sentence. It often serves as an adjective or adverb. It usually starts with a subordinate conjunction. When I went home, I bit the ant. When I went home = subordinate clause. "When I went home" cannot be a complete sentence on its own. See also: http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/conjunctions-subordinating.htm