Conjunctions

A Conjunction is a word which connects two words or clauses or sentences. Examples: I went to the store to buy milk, eggs and bread. He seemed poorly groomed yet well mannered. We could go to the library, or we could go to the park.

1.0Conjunctions have two basic functions:

1. Conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses. Examples: Jack and Jill went up the hill. The water was warm, but I did not go swimming.
2. Conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example: Example: I went swimming although it was cold.

2.0Classification of Conjunctions

Conjunctions can be divided into three main classes.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions are words used to connect words, phrases, and independent clauses.

Coordinating conjunctions are limited to a few words that can easily be remembered with a simple acronym: FANBOYS

Coordinating conjunctions connect words phrases, and clauses.

1. For: Explains a Reason 'For' explains a reason or purpose with two independent clauses and is used to show cause and effect. Examples: Juanita eats healthy, for she wants to stay in shape. Let's not fight about the past, for today is a new day. She was tired, for she did not sleep well last night.
2. And: Joins Two Ideas (the ideas do not contrast) 'And' adds one thing to another. It can be used to join two nouns, two verbs, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses. Examples: I went to the store, and I bought a banana. I like to read, and I write in my journal every night. You should invite Meera and Meeta to the party. Melody looks beautiful and elegant in her new dress. The puppies run and jump when their owner comes home.
3. Nor: Presents a Second Negative Idea 'Nor' is used to present a second negative idea to join a negative idea in the first clause. Examples: Our family hasn't been to New Delhi, nor have we been to Mumbai. Gracy didn't do her chores, nor did she finish her homework. King Henry was not the ruler of France, nor did he reign over Spain. I did not like the movie nor did my sister. My sister doesn't like to study, nor does she take notes in class. When using 'nor', you reverse the verb order in the second clause (such as in 'nor does she take notes' instead of 'nor she does take notes'.)
4. But: Introduces an Opposing Idea 'But' shows contrast between two words, phrases or ideas of equal importance (one idea is often positive, but the other is negative). Examples: Television is a wonderful escape but it interferes with my writing. We would love to attend the birthday party but we have other plans that day. I was going to earn an ' ' in Math but I failed the final test. I went to the store but it was closed.
5. Or: Shows an Alternative 'Or' presents an alternative or a choice. It can be used between two of the same part of speech as well as two phrases or clauses. Examples: Would you rather read a book or watch a good TV show? I can't decide if I should study economics or political science. We could have dinner before the movie or we could grab a bite afterward. Do you prefer to go to bed early or to stay up late? You can take the bus or you can walk with me.
6. Yet: Adds a Contrasting Idea 'Yet' introduces a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically. Examples: I always take a book to the beach yet I never seem to turn a single page. Pearl would like to make pasta yet she's also in the mood for a sandwich. The movie was boring yet I watched till the end. Note: 'But' brings a tone of finality into a sentence ("I'd love to ice skate, but I don’t know how") while 'yet' implies that an action may be able to change in the future ("I'd love to ice skate, yet I don't know how.").
7. So: Indicates a Result or Effect 'So' indicates an effect, result or consequence from an action in the earlier clause. 'So' is similar to 'for' but the order of ideas is the opposite. Examples: She did not sleep last night so she was tired. I like to read so I didn't mind the long reading assignment. The grocery store was closed so we went to the farmer's market instead. Our car won't start so we called a mechanic. A baby bird fell out of its nest so we took care of it.

• A sentence that is made by joining two sentences together with and, but or or is called a compound sentence

Subordinating Conjunctions

A Subordinating Conjunction (SC) joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause.

A subordinating clause cannot exist alone as a single sentence because it depends on a main clause for its meaning.

"He was annoyed because the train had stopped." main clause He was annoyed subordinating clause because the train had stopped

Categories of Subordinating Conjunctions

Time - after, as soon as, as long as, before, once, still, until, when, whenever, while Time-related conjunctions establish a period when the main clause will be or was performed.

• Example : I will do the dishes after everyone has gone home.

Purpose - in order that, lest, so that, that

• Example : I'm staying in order that I don't miss the movie.

Cause - as, because, since Cause conjunctions illuminate the reason (s) that the activities of a main clause were performed.

• Example : Govind dreamed about cheese because he had eaten so much of it the night before.

Condition - even if, if, in case, provided, provided that, whether, unless, etc. Condition conjunctions introduce rules/condition under which a main clause performs.

• Example : I'm not coming to the party if you invite him.

Often, subordinate clauses come first in conditional sentences but they are still dependent on the main clause and cannot exist outside of it.

• Example : If you invite him, I'm not coming to the party.

Result or effect - so..... that

• Example : We eat so that we may survive.

Comparison - just as, though, whereas, in contrast to, while

• Example : I decided to stay in whereas my sister decided to go out.

Manner - as, according

• Example : I operated the machine as instructed in the manual.

Concession or Contrast - although, as though, and even though Concession conjunctions help to redefine the main clause by providing additional context regarding conditions of delivery. Concession conjunctions highlight an action that took place in spite of an obstacle or hindrance.

• Example: Eliza went to see a movie even though her doctor had asked her to rest.

Subordinating Conjunctions -

As Example : We played chess all evening as we had nothing better to do.

After Example : Mary closed his diary after writing about that day's events.

As soon as Example : A baby deer can stand as soon as it is born.

As long as Example : You can use my car as long as you drive carefully.

Although Example : Although the kitchen is small, it is well designed.

Though Example : Though it was raining, she went out.

As if Example : At sunset, the sun looks as if it is going down.

As much as Example : He doesn't earn as much as me.

As though Example : They look as though they're heading for divorce.

Because Example : He became rich because he was smart and worked hard.

Before Example : He always feeds the dogs before he goes to school.

If Example : If you leave, I will be lonely.

Lest Example : Study hard lest you should fail.

Since Example : Since we've got a few minutes to wait for the train, let's have a cup of coffee.

So that Example : I'll go by car so that I can take more luggage.

So as to (in order to) Example : I hurried so as to be on time.

Than Example: He is cleverer than I am.

Whereas Example : Elliot is tall and blonde, whereas his brother is short and has dark hair.

Whether Example : She was uncertain whether to stay or leave.

While Example : While I was walking to the market, I met Jenny.

Unless Example : You won't succeed unless you work hard.

Until or till - (used to mention the time of an action) up to the time when Example : I will wait untill I hear from you.

So as to Example : I hurried so as to reach the station on time.

• Unless, until, lest- Unless shows condition; until means up to the time when; lest means so that not. Examples: I cannot open the box unless you give me the key. [ = I cannot open the box if you don't give me the key.] Take quinine regularly lest you should get malaria. Wait here until I come back.

3.0Correlative Conjunctions

Some conjunctions are used in pairs. They are called correlative conjunctions.

1. Both...and Examples: She is both beautiful and intelligent. He is both educated and cultured. Both John and Peter participated in the program.
2. Either...or Examples: Either take it or leave it. You must either obey my instructions or quit. Either you or he will have to do it.
3. Neither...nor Examples: I will neither take it nor leave it. I will neither obey your instructions nor quit. Neither he nor I will do it.
4. Though (Although)...yet Examples: Though (Although) he worked hard, yet he could not pass the exam Though he is my friend, yet I do not like his habit of talking rudely to his parents.
5. Whether...or Examples: I don't know whether I should stay or leave. Whether he comes or not makes no difference at all.
6. Not only...but also Examples: They not only looted the shop but also set it on fire. Not only Alice, but Mary also came. He visited not only Europe but also America.
7. No sooner... than Examples: No sooner did the tiger appear than he shot it down. No sooner had she read the letter than she burst into tears.
8. Scarcely (or hardly) ..... when (or before) Examples: I had scarcely (or hardly) stepped out of my house when it began to rain. Hardly had the train come out of the tunnel when a huge piece of rock fell on the lines.
9. Rather...... than Examples: I would rather resign than take part in such a dishonest deal. I would have the agreement cancelled rather than stoop so low. I chose to learn German rather than French.
10. Such...as Examples: Such people as play false should be avoided. She is not such a fool as you think her to be.
11. Such......that Examples: Such was King Edward's love for Mrs. Simpson that he sacrificed even his crown for her. Such was her beauty that men from far and near came to woo her.
12. The same.....as Examples: Woman should receive the same wages as men. You can get a horse at the same price as a cow.
13. The same....that Example: This is the same man that directed us to the railway station.
14. As (or so)...as Examples: This room is as long as it is broad. This room is not so long as it is broad.
15. As....so Examples: As men sow, so shall they reap. As the seed is, so is the plant.
16. So....that Examples: I am so tired that I cannot write a word more. She was so tired that she could not walk. The officer was so corrupt that he had to be sacked.

4.0Recall

1. Conjunction mainly links words, phrases or sentences.
2. Type of conjunctions are-

• Coordinating conjunction
• Subordinating conjunction
• Correlative conjunction

1. An easy way to remember these six the major coordinating conjunction is to think of the word fanboys.

1. The conjunction 'or' is also used instead of the conjunction and after a negative word like not. Example: I like apples and pears. I do not like pineapples or guavas.
2. In a formal English, we use 'as....as' or 'than' like this: I can jump as high as he can. I can jump as high as he. I am taller than he is. I am taller than he.
3. Some compound expressions or phrases act as conjunctions. Examples: I will rent you the flat provided that you do not cook meat. He took off his coat as soon as he returned home.
4. A sentence that is made by joining two sentences together with and, but or is called a compound sentence. However, when it is Coordinating, stands alone, and is generally placed somewhere in the middle of the sentence. When it is subordinating, it takes some adjective or adverb after it.
5. Unless shows condition; until means up to the time when; lest means so that not. Examples: I cannot open the box unless you give me the key. [I cannot open the box if you don't give me the key.] Take quinine regularly lest you should get malaria. Wait here until I come back.
6. 'Like' should not be used as a conjunction instead of 'as': Example: He speaks as (not like) his brother does.