Conjunction
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are the scotch tape of the grammatical world. They
join together words and phrases. There are three kinds of conjunctions:
coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and subordinating
conjunctions.
1. Coordinating
Conjunctions:
There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English. You
can use the mnemonic device fanboys to remember them.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
They can be used with commas to create compound
sentences. For example:
Ignacio loves to
dance, but Rocío has no rhythm.
Kyong Mee works
hard, yet she still earns low grades.
Note: A compound sentence is a sentence made up of two
independent clauses. That is, a compound sentence is simply two complete
sentences joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (i.e. a fanboys).
- Correlative Conjunctions also join ideas, but they work in pairs. They are:
Both…and
neither…nor
whether…or
either…or
not only…but also
For Example: Not only am I happy about the grades, but I am also excited that you
are learning!
3. Subordinating Conjunctions join an independent clause to a subordinate clause. That is, they join a clause that can stand alone with a clause that cannot stand alone. Some frequently used subordinating conjunctions are:
3. Subordinating Conjunctions join an independent clause to a subordinate clause. That is, they join a clause that can stand alone with a clause that cannot stand alone. Some frequently used subordinating conjunctions are:
after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even
though, if, since, so that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where,
wherever, whether, while.
For Example:
Although the students were tired,
they still came to class.
