The goal of this study is to investigate similarities and dissimilarities between the Russian I and Modern Greek KE. The items under discussion perform similar roles in both languages. In fact, they bear a double status, as coordinating conjunctions and as discourse markers. In the first part of this analysis, it is argued that this twofold function emerges as a continuum ranging from syntax to discourse. In the second part, the semantic invariants of I and KE are explored by putting forward their single differentiating parameter, which gives rise to a variety of semantic values organizing the relevant domain.