Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words used as joiners. Different kinds of conjunctions join different kinds of
grammatical structures (words, phrases1, clauses2). Four different kinds of conjunctions are
discussed below.
1. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (FANBOYS)
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Coordinating conjunctions join equals to one another:
words to words, phrases to phrases, clauses to clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions express a specific relationship between two independent clauses (sentences).
It is important to use the correct conjunction! These conjunctions are frequently used to combine two
sentences.
For Expresses a result-cause relationship.
Example: Jacob did very well on his algebra midterm, for he had done all his homework on time,
never missed class, participated in a math study group, and studied until he was sure
that he knew the material.
And Expresses adding something just like what is already there.
Example: We went to Fred Meyer to buy a rake, and then we went to Portland Nursery to
purchase some mums and other fall perennials.
Nor Expresses negative addition.
Example: Norton the cat will not touch unfamiliar food, nor will she eat dry kibbles that are
broken.
1
A phrase is a group of words without a subject and a verb. Prepositional phrases, verb phrases, noun phrase appositives are all examples of
phrases.
2
A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb and sometimes an object. Independent or main clauses are really complete
sentences; they can stand on their own both grammatically and meaning-wise. When read aloud, independent clauses sound like sentences
because they are. Independent clause = main clause = complete sentence. Dependent or subordinate clauses are incomplete sentences
because they rely on being joined to a complete sentence to make complete sense. When read aloud, dependent clauses do not sound right. In
fact, they are fragments. Dependent clause = subordinate clause = incomplete sentence = fragment.
Downloaded from http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm on 11-16-08 and extensively revised by Mary Kelly-Klein,
Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College
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But States an exception or opposition to some or all of what was just previously said.
Example: Holidays generally wear me out, but I do love Christmas.
Or Shows two or more alternatives.
Example: You could go back to college this next term and graduate a year from now, or you
could get a full-time job and not go back to college.
Yet Works just like but
Example: My neighbor sprayed his lawn with copious amounts of fertilizer and herbicide mixes,
yet weeds still grew vigorously, choking out his grass.
So Expresses a cause-effect relationship.
Example: I scrimped and saved every extra penny, so I was able to purchase my own home just
five years after I graduated from college.
Coordinating conjunctions go in between items joined, not at the beginning or end.
Punctuation with coordinating conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, no comma should be
placed before the conjunction.
A coordinating conjunction joining three or more words, phrases, or subordinate clauses
creates a series and requires commas between the elements.
Downloaded from http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm on 11-16-08 and extensively revised by Mary Kelly-Klein,
Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College.
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A coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses creates a compound sentence and
requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction
2. CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
either. . .or both. . . and
neither. . . nor not only. . . but also
These pairs of conjunctions require equal (parallel) structures after each one.
3. CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
The conjunctive adverb states what the relationship is between two independent clauses. It is not
strictly a conjunction, but in fact, it is a key transitional word or phrase. Try to use these words on a
Downloaded from http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm on 11-16-08 and extensively revised by Mary Kelly-Klein,
Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College.
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frequent basis! They are powerful words that help your reader make meaning out of your ideas.
Because conjunctive adverbs are so powerful, they can function as joiners.
Conjunctive adverbs can be used to transition one independent clause to another in one sentence. Since
we always use a semicolon when we join two independent clauses, in this case we use a semicolon
before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.
Conjunctive adverbs can also be used to introduce an independent clause. Use a comma after the
conjunctive adverb in this case because it is introducing an idea and at the same time, it states precisely
what its relationship is to other ideas in the paragraph or essay.
The following are frequently used conjunctive adverbs:
after all in addition next
also incidentally nonetheless
as a result indeed on the contrary
besides in fact on the other hand
consequently in other words otherwise
finally instead still
for example likewise then
furthermore meanwhile therefore
hence moreover thus
however nevertheless
4. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating conjunctions also join two clauses together, but in doing so they make one clause
dependent (or "subordinate") upon the other. This creates a tricky situation in expressing complex ideas.
A subordinating conjunction may appear at a sentence beginning or between two clauses in a sentence.
These words are commonly used as subordinating conjunctions
after if than
Downloaded from http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm on 11-16-08 and extensively revised by Mary Kelly-Klein,
Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College.
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although in case (that) that
as in order (that) though
as far as insofar as till
as soon as in that unless
as if lest until
as though no matter how when
because now that whenever
before once where
even if provided (that) wherever
even though since whether
how so that while
supposing (that) why
Downloaded from http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm on 11-16-08 and extensively revised by Mary Kelly-Klein,
Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College.
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Punctuation Note:
When the dependent clause is placed first in a sentence, use a comma between the two clauses. When the
independent clause is placed first and the dependent clause second, do not separate the two clauses with a
comma.
Downloaded from http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm on 11-16-08 and extensively revised by Mary Kelly-Klein,
Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College.
