CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are words used as joiners.
Different kinds of conjunctions join different kinds of grammatical structures.
The following are the kinds of conjunctions:
A. 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 usually form looser connections than other conjunctions
do.
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.
A coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses creates a compound
sentence and requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction
B. CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
either. . .or both. . . and
neither. . . nor not only. . . but also
These pairs of conjunctions require equal (parallel) structures after each one.
C. CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
These conjunctions join independent clauses together.
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
Punctuation Place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after
: the conjunctive adverb.
D. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
These words are commonly used as subordinating conjunctions
After in order (that) Unless
Although insofar as Until
As in that When
as far as Lest whenever
as soon as no matter how Where
as if now that wherever
as though Once whether
Because provided (that) While
Before Since Why
even if so that
even though supposing (that)
How Than
If That
inasmuch as Though
in case (that) Till
Subordinating conjunctions also join two clauses together, but in doing so, they
make one clause dependent (or "subordinate") upon the other.
A subordinating conjunction may appear at a sentence beginning or between two
clauses in a sentence.
A subordinate conjunction usually provides a tighter connection between clauses
than a coordinating conjunctions does.
Loose: It is raining, so we have an umbrella.
Tight: Because it is raining, we have an umbrella.
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 th
two clauses with a comma.
( 9.1) EXERCISE - CONJUNCTIONS
Fill in the blanks with these words: although, and, because, but, or, since,
so, unless, until, when.
1. Things were different ______ I was young.
2. I do it ______ I like it.
3. Let us wait here ______ the rain stops.
4. You cannot be a lawyer ______ you have a law degree.
5. That was years ______ years ago.
6. She has not called ______ she left last week.
7. I saw him leaving an hour ______ two hours ago.
8. This is an expensive ______ very useful book.
9. We were getting tired, ______ we stopped for a rest.
10. He was angry ______ he heard what happened.
11. Walk quickly, or you will be late.
12. He had to retire ______ of ill health.
13. We will go swimming next Sunday ______ it's raining.
14. I heard a noise ______ I turned the light on.
15. Would you like a coffee ______ tea?
16. Do you know ______ she will arrive?
17. ______ the car is old, it still runs well.
18. Do you want a pen and, ______ a bit of paper?
19. I would like to go ______ I am too busy.
20. She will die ______ the doctors operate immediately.
