Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word like and, but, although,
because. Conjunctions have an important
function because they join other words and
phrases together. Without conjunctions, we could
only make very, very simple sentences.
A conjunction is a word that connects two parts of a sentence.
The very common word and is a conjunction. Look at how it joins
these words, phrases and clauses:
bread and butter (joins two words)
up the stairs and along the corridor (joins two phrases)
Ram likes tea and Anthony likes coffee (joins two clauses)
Here are some other common conjunctions:
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
although, because, since, unless
Conjunction Form
There is no special form for conjunctions. Many are short, simple
words (but, for, since); and others are two or three words (so that,
in order that, as long as).
The number of conjunctions in a text is one of the factors used in
assessing its complexity.
Introduction to Conjunctions
We can consider conjunctions from three
aspects.
1. What do Conjunctions Do?
Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":
•Coordinating conjunctions are used to join
two parts of a sentence that are
grammatically equal. The two parts may be
single words or clauses, for example:
•- Jack and Jill went up the hill.
•- The water was warm, but I didn't go
swimming.
•Subordinating conjunctions are used to join
a subordinate dependent clause to a main
clause, for example:
•- I went swimming although it was cold.
Here are some example conjunctions:
Coordinating Subordinating
conjunctions conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, although, because, since,
yet, so unless
2. What do Conjunctions Look Like?
Conjunctions have three basic formats:
a single word
b for example: and, but, because, although
ccompound (often ending with as or that)
d for example: provided that, as long as, in
order that
e correlative (surrounding an adverb or
adjective)
f for example: so...that
3. Where do Conjunctions Go?
•Coordinating conjunctions always come
between the words or clauses that they join.
•Subordinating conjunctions usually come at
the beginning of the subordinate clause.
Coordinating Conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a
sentence (for example words or independent
clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar.
A coordinating conjunction shows that the
elements it joins are similar in importance and
structure:
+
There are seven coordinating conjunctions, and
they are all short words of only two or three
letters:
•and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
Look at these examples - the two elements that
the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in
square brackets [ ]:
•I like [tea] and [coffee].
•[Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].
Coordinating conjunctions always come
between the words or clauses that they join.
When a coordinating conjunction joins
independent clauses, it is always correct to place
a comma before the conjunction:
•I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so
I am studying Russian at university.
However, if the independent clauses are short
and well-balanced, a comma is not really
essential:
•She is kind so she helps people.
When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a
comma is optional:
•He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum.
•He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.
The 7 coordinating conjunctions are short, simple
words. They have only two or three letters.
There's an easy way to remember them - their
initials spell "FANBOYS", like this:
F A N B Y
f a n b y
o n o u e
r d r t t
Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction joins a
subordinate (dependent) clause to a main
(independent) clause:
+
Here are some common subordinating
conjunctions:
•after, although, as, because, before, how, if,
once, since, than, that, though, till, until,
when, where, whether, while
Look at this example:
main or subordinate or
independent dependent clause
clause
Ram went although it was
swimming raining.
subordina
ting
conjuncti
on
A subordinate or dependent clause "depends" on
a main or independent clause. It cannot exist
alone. Imagine that somebody says to you:
"Hello! Although it was raining." What do you
understand? Nothing! But a main or independent
clause can exist alone. You will understand very
well if somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram went
swimming."
A subordinating conjunction always comes at the
beginning of a subordinate clause. It "introduces"
a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate
clause can come after or before a main clause.
Thus, two structures are possible:
+
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
+ Although it was raining, Ram went
swimming.
Quiz:
1. A conjunction is a part-of-speech that joins together two words,
two phrases or
two clauses
two paragraphs
2. Which of these very common words is a conjunction?
the
and
3. Which list contains other common conjunctions?
on, in, above, beside
but, or, because, so
4. "We'll go swimming if it isn't too cold." Which is the
conjunction?
if
it
5. "My sister likes pop music but I like rap." The conjunction joins
two words
two clauses
6. "I'll be busy on Monday and Tuesday but I'm free on
Wednesday." The first conjunction joins
two words
two clauses
7. True or false? "Conjunctions always consist of a single word."
True
False
8. Which is a conjunction?
so that
so much
9. "I was sick _______ I couldn't go to work." Which conjunction is
best?
because
so
10. "They played golf _______ it was raining." Which conjunction is
best?
even though
as long as
Answers:
1. two clauses
2. and
3. but, or, because, so
4. if
5. two clauses
6. two words
7. False
8. so that
9. so
10. even though
