Summary
Conjunctions are words that link words, or phrases or clauses together. grammarly ref ref for puncuations
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence.
The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can remember them by using the mnemonic device FANBOYS.
Examples
I’d like pizza or a salad for lunch. We needed a place to concentrate , so we packed up our things and went to the library. Jesse didn’t have much money , but she got by.
Words
Coordinating conjunctions can join two nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other types of word.
The data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews. I don’t like to run or swim. He was clever but lazy.
Phrases
They can also join different types of phrases.
The dog wagged his tail and panted excitedly. The results were undeniably intriguing yet ultimately inconclusive. She usually studies in the library or at a cafe.
Independent clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains at least a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand on its own as a full sentence, expressing a complete thought.
Today Jane Austen is one of the most widely read English novelists, but she achieved little fame during her lifetime. In the sentence above, the coordinating conjunction but creates a relationship between two independent clauses. Notice that the two clauses also work as sentences on their own.
Today Jane Austen is one of the most widely read English novelists. She achieved little fame during her lifetime.
Punctuating coordinating conjunctions
When joining two words or phrases with a coordinating conjunction, do not use a comma.
| Commar error | Correction |
|---|---|
| Data was gathered through questionnaires, and interviews. | Data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews. |
| She usually studies in the library, or at a cafe. | She usually studies in the library or at a cafe. |
When joining two independent clauses, however, use a comma before the conjunction.
| Comma error | Correction |
|---|---|
| Data was gathered through questionnaires and selected respondents participated in interviews. | Data was gathered through questionnaires, and selected respondents participated in interviews. |
| She usually studies in the library but when it is too busy she goes to a cafe. | She usually studies in the library, but when it is too busy she goes to a cafe. |
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. A subordinating conjunction can signal a cause-and-effect relationship, a contrast, or some other kind of relationship between the clauses.
Common subordinating conjunctions are because, since, as, although, though, while, and whereas. Sometimes an adverb, such as until, after, or before can function as a conjunction.
jak: conjuction subordinates a dependent clause; subordiate conjunction + dependent clause, independent clause.
after, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, by the time, even if, even though, if, in order that, in case, in the event that, lest , now that, once, only, only if, provided that, since, so, supposing, that, than, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether or not, while
Cause and effect
because, since, as
Time
when, before, after, once, until, whenever, since, while
Place
where, wherever
Condition
if, unless, in case
Contrast
although, though, whereas
Examples
- I can stay out until the clock strikes twelve.
- Before he leaves, make sure his room is clean.
- I drank a glass of water because I was thirsty. Because I was thirsty, I drank a glass of water.
Punctuating subordinating conjunctions
When a subordinating conjunction follows an independent clause, a comma is often not necessary. In general, when the dependent clause contains essential information about the independent clause, don’t use a comma.
However, when the subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma at the end of the dependent clause.
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Some examples are either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also. both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but, whether/or
Examples
Not only am I finished studying for English, but I’m also finished writing my history essay. I am finished with both my English essay and my history essay.
Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction
Many of us were taught in school that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction, but that rule is a myth. As mentioned above, a subordinating conjunction can begin a sentence if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause. It’s also correct to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Often, it’s a good way to add emphasis. Beginning too many sentences with conjunctions will cause the device to lose its force, however, so use this technique sparingly.
Examples
Have a safe trip. And don’t forget to call when you get home. Gertie flung open the door. But there was no one on the other side.