Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word that "joins". A conjunction joins two parts of a
sentence.
Here are some example conjunctions:
Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so although, because, since, unless
We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.
Form
Conjunctions have three basic forms:
Single Word
for example: and, but, because, although
Compound (often ending with as or that)
for example: provided that, as long as, in order that
Correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
for example: so...that
Function
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.
Position
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
The short, simple conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions":
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
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:
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:
F A N B O Y S
For And Nor But Or Yet So
Subordinating Conjunctions
The majority of conjunctions are "subordinating conjunctions".
Common subordinating conjunctions are:
after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than,
that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to
a main (independent) clause:
Look at this example:
main or subordinate or
independent clause dependent clause
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
subordinating
conjunction
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 sometimes come after and sometimes before a
main clause. Thus, two structures are possible:
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.
1 The main job of a conjunction is
to invert,compare,join two parts of a sentence.
join join
2 Which of the following is a "compound" conjunction? So beautiful
that,as long as,although
as long as
3 Which type of conjunction joins two parts of a sentence that are
grammatically coordinatin
equal? Balancing,coordinating,suboradinating
--
4 The word "although" can be used to join a dependent clause
to another dep.clause, sub-ord.con,main a main clau
cluse .
--
5 Coordinating conjunctions always
come,after,between,before the words or clauses that
-- betw een
they join.
6 The words "and," "but," and "so" are often classified
as coordinating,cubordinating,dep.c conjunctions
-- coordinatin
.
7 A subordinating conjunction
comes mid,beg.end of a dependent clause.
-- at the begin
8 The words "although," "since," and "unless" are examples of
common sub,coor, dep. conjunctions.
-- subordinati
9 Another word for an independent clause is
a: unique,main,uniform main clause
1 When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma
0 is optional,never used,required
-- --
.
