Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word that "joins". A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence.
Here are some example conjunctions:
Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so although, because, since, unless
We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.
Form
Conjunctions have three basic forms:
Single Word
for example: and, but, because, although
Compound (often ending with as or that)
for example: provided that, as long as, in order that
Correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
for example: so...that
Function
Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":
Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence
that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or
clauses, for example:
- Jack and Jill went up the hill.
- The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming.
Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent
clause to a main clause, for example:
- I went swimming although it was cold.
Position
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses
that they join.
Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the
subordinate clause.
In this lesson we will look in more detail at:
Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions
The short, simple conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions":
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or
independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar. A coordinating
conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and
structure:
Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction
joins are shown in square brackets [ ]:
I like [tea] and [coffee].
[Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that
they join.
When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct
to place a comma before the conjunction:
I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian
at university.
However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is
not really essential:
She is kind so she helps people.
When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional:
He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum.
He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.
The 7 coordinating conjunctions are
short, simple words. They have only
two or three letters. There's an easy
way to remember them - their initials
spell:
F A N B O Y S
Fo And Nor But Or Ye So
r t
Now look at Subordinating Conjunctions »
Subordinating Conjunctions
The majority of conjunctions are "subordinating conjunctions". Common
subordinating conjunctions are:
after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that,
though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main
(independent) clause:
Look at this example:
main or subordinate or
independent clause dependent clause
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
subordinating
conjunction
A subordinate or dependent clause
"depends" on a main or independent
clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine
that somebody says to you: "Hello!
Although it was raining." What do you
understand? Nothing! But a main or
independent clause can exist alone.
You will understand very well if
somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram
went swimming."
A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate
clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can
sometimes come after and sometimes before a main clause. Thus, two
structures are possible:
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
+
Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.
