ENGLISH
GRAMMAR
CONJUNCTIONS
WHAT ARE CONJUNCTIONS?
Conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses. The three different types of
conjunctions indicate different relationships between the elements joined.
TYPES OF CONJUNCTIONS:
1) Coordinating conjunctions link elements of equal value.
2) Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to establish a specific relationship
between elements of equal value.
3) Subordinating conjunctions indicate that one element is of lesser value
(subordinate) to another element.
1) Use a coordinating conjunction to connect elements (words, phrases, or
clauses) of equal grammatical value.
There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English:
and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet
Coordinating conjunctions link equal elements.
Swimming and reading are my two favorite summer activities. (Swimming and
reading are both subjects in the sentence.)
Please place the papers on top of the desk or in the drawer. (On top of the
desk and in the drawer are both prepositional phrases.)
She wanted to drive the car, but she had never received her license. (She wanted to
drive the car and she had never received her license are both independent clauses.)
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GRAMMAR
2) Use correlative conjunctions in pairs to connect words, phrases, or
clauses of equal grammatical value.
Correlative conjunctions always come in pairs:
as...as
both...and
not only...but also
either...or
neither...nor
whether...or
Make sure that the grammatical structure following the second half of the pair is
the same as that following the first half.
1. You must decide either to fly or to drive. (The elements to fly and to drive are
both infinitives.)
2. Contrary to my plans, I spent much of my vacation both correcting
papers and contacting students. (The elements correcting papers and contacting
students are both participial phrases.)
I hope not only that you will attend the play, but also that you will stay for the cast
party afterwards. ( The elements that you will attend the play and that you will stay
for the cast party afterwards are both subordinate clauses.)
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GRAMMAR
3) Use a subordinating conjunction to connect a subordinate (dependent)
clause to an independent clause.
Common subordinating conjunctions include the following:
after even though than whenever
although if that where
as in order that though whereas
as if rather than unless wherever
because since until whether
before so that when while
Note: Some of the words listed can serve as different parts of speech, depending on
how they are used.
A subordinating conjunction indicates that the dependent clause is not complete
without an attached independent clause.
EXAMPLE:
1. If you finish your homework, you will be prepared for the test. (If you finish your
homework by itself is an incomplete thought.)
2. I lose myself in the music whenever I practice the piano. (Whenever I practice the
piano by itself is an incomplete thought.)
