Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 1:

Coordinate Conjunctions
Definition:

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses. There are

several types of conjunctions and several other types of words that act as
conjunctions.
Joining words: You should wait before grabbing one of
those tempting but hot cookies.
Joining phrases: We have to drive across two states and around a lake to get to
Grandmother's house.
Joining clauses: Because you didn't do your homework, you will need to miss
recess.
Definition:

A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses that

are grammatically equal. In other words, the conjunction can join several
nouns or several phrases or several clauses. The coordinating conjunctions
are and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet.
Joining nouns: We can have pizza, spaghetti, or lasagna for dinner.
Joining verbs: The puppies in the dog park chased, wrestled, and swam all
afternoon.
Joining adjectives: The forest behind your house seems dark and mysterious.
Joining phrases: We left on time but arrived late because of the storm.
 Joining clauses: The dragon refused to eat people for he found them rather foul
tasting.

Each coordinating conjunction connects ideas in a slightly different way.

And - combines two or more positive ideas.

But - connects two or more true but contrasting ideas.
Or - presents a choice between ideas. Only one of the choices is true or
possible.
Nor - combines two or more negative ideas. Neither of the ideas is true or
possible.
Yet - connects two or more ideas that are somewhat contrasting.
For - explains a reason or purpose.
So - shows an effect or result.

Beware - so can also be so that, which is a subordinating conjunction. Sometimes

we say so when we mean so that.

We are going to the movies, so we can't watch that program.

You need to be here on time so we can get to the movie before it starts.
You need to be here on time so that we can get to the movies before it starts.

Punctuating Coordinate Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions have a comma before them when they join two
independent clauses. (A simple sentence is an independent clause.) Both clauses
must make sense by themselves.

I know I brought my pencil. I can't find it.

I know I brought my pencil, but I can't find it.

Often a conjunction is used at the end of a series. That conjunction is usually

preceded by a comma in American English. British English writers often leave out
that "terminal comma" or "serial comma." The conjunction can be repeated for an
emphatic effect instead of using commas.

I have English, math, and science homework.

I have English and math and science homework.
Note:

Can you start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction? Most teachers say
no, but I'm sure you've noticed sentences beginning with and or but in books
that you have read. It can be done for effect if it is done on purpose. Many
 professional writers often ignore the "rules." That is because they know the
rules and can choose to break them when they want a certain effect. Most
teachers require students to demonstrate that they know the rules before
allowing them to break them.

Practice What You've Learned

Part 1
Directions:
Click on the coordinating conjunction(s) in each sentence.
 Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 2:

Correlative Conjunctions
Definition:

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join words, phrases, or clauses. The

correlative conjunctions are either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not
only...but also, whether...or.
Joining words: My uncle is not only a doctor but also a pharmacist.
Joining phrases: All of these clothes are either too small or worn out.
Joining clauses: Either Monica will bring drinks, or she will bring brownies.

Correlative conjunctions are stronger than coordinating conjunctions and emphasize

the relationship between the ideas being joined. Notice the difference in the
following sentences:

Cats and dogs make good pets.

Both cats and dogs make good pets.

Ron or Davie found my bicycle.

Either Ron or Davie found my bicycle.

Note: Not only...but also can be split apart. Even the second half can be split. Not
only cannot be split.

I like not only ice skating but also hockey. Not only is he a great singer, but he
is also an actor.

Note: Be careful of the placement of the parts of the conjunction.

Confusing: Either you must bring in your permission slip or stay home. (The reader
is left hanging waiting for the second clause.)
Better: You must either bring in your permission slip or stay home. (You must do
one of these two actions.)
Also better: Either you must bring in your permission slip, or you must stay home.

Confusing: It was not only a long movie but also exciting.

Better: The movie was not only long but also exciting.
Better: It was not only a long movie but also an exciting one.

As you learned in the modifiers unit, watch where you put only.

Confusing: Jeremy not only won a trophy but also money.

Better: Jeremy won not only a trophy but also money.

Practice What You've Learned

Directions:
Click on the correlative conjunctions in the sentences. Make sure to click on
all the parts.
 Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 3:

Parallel Ideas
Definition:

Ideas are considered parallel when they are grammatically equal. Ideas in a
series must be parallel. You might have a series of nouns, a series of verbs, a
series of prepositional phrases, a series of predicates, a series of independent
clauses, or a series of some other grammatical element. Each item in the
series should be the same thing.

A series of nouns: kitchen, bathroom, entryway

Please mop the kitchen, bathroom, and entryway.

A series of verbs: reading, writing, daydreaming (all are present participles)

The students in the class were reading, writing, and daydreaming.

A series of prepositional phrases: under the sofa, in the cushions, behind the
television
I have looked for the remote control under the sofa, in the cushions, and behind the
television.

A series of predicates: went to the store, bought some milk, came home
After school, I went to the store, bought some milk, and came home.
A series of clauses: Laura likes mysteries. Malachi prefers suspense. Shona loves
romances.
Laura likes mysteries, Malachi prefers suspense, and Shona loves romances.

Too often writers pay attention to the ideas instead of the construction of the
sentence.

Incorrect: We watched two movies, a television show, and read a book. (noun
phrase, noun phrase, predicate)
Correct: We watched two movies, watched a television show, and read a book.

Incorrect: I want to go skiing, biking, or to go to the mall. (gerund, gerund,

infinitive)
Correct: I want to go skiing, to go biking, or to go to the mall. (Now they are all
infinitive phrases.)
Correct: I want to go skiing, biking, or shopping at the mall. (Now they all are
gerunds following go)

Hint:
Try putting each item in the series on its own line and see if they match.

I want to go
skiing
biking
to go to the mall

Practice What You've Learned

Directions:
Click on the first word in each item in the series. This will make them look
like a list. Then decide if they are correct or not.
 Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 4:

Conjunctive Adverbs
Definition:

A conjunctive adverb (adverbial conjunction, transitional device) can be used

to join two independent clauses, making a compound sentence.
 Like a conjunction, it connects ideas, but it is stronger. It shows a more specific
relationship and usually acts as a transition between the clauses. It can combine,
compare, contrast, emphasize, summarize, illustrate, show sequence, and concede
that the reader already knows an idea. (Notice that all the ideas in this series are
verbs or verb phrases so they are parallel.)

Weak: Most Labrador retrievers are friendly, but some can be mean.
Stronger: Most Labrador retrievers are friendly; however, some can be mean.
Some common conjunctive adverbs
accordingly however otherwise
also incidentally similarly
anyway indeed specifically
besides instead still
certainly likewise subsequentl
consequentl meanwhile y
y moreover then
conversely next therefore
finally nevertheles thus
furthermore s
hence nonetheless

Beware: This is not a complete list, and all of these words are not always used this
way. Memorizing the list is not useful. Analyzing how words work together in a
sentence is the best way to find them.

Definition:

Conjunctive adverbs can also be used in the middle of a sentence as

parenthetical expressions.
I know Jeremiah can, in fact, sing very well.

Conjunctive adverbs used as parenthetical expressions include the list above and
these common compound ones.

for on the that is

example contrary on the other
namely in fact hand

Punctuating Conjunctive Adverbs

When used in a simple sentence as a parenthetical expression, the conjunctive
adverb has commas around it because it is not grammatically a part of the sentence.
It may seem like an adverb, but it is usually just something people say in
conversation.

We are, however, not ready to go.

If it is used to combine sentences, a semicolon is used before the conjunctive adverb.

(Think of a semicolon as two commas - one that would have been in front of a
coordinating conjunction plus one that shows that however is parenthetical.)

I am ready; however, you are not.

Sentences with conjunctive adverbs can also be written as separate sentences.

I am ready. However, my sister is not.

Practice What You've Learned

Directions:
Click on the conjunctive adverb or parenthetical expression in each sentence.
 Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 5:

Subordinating Conjunctions
Definition:

A subordinating conjunction joins two clauses by making one clause

subordinate to, or dependent on, the other. It makes a stronger connection
than a coordinating conjunction does. The subordinating conjunction shows a
relationship between the two clauses. Some subordinating conjunctions are
made up of more than one word.

Independent: It is raining hard.

Independent: We might get wet.

Loose connection with coordinating conjunction: It is raining hard, and we might

get wet. (The reader isn't told that the reason they might get wet is the rain.)

Stronger connection with subordinating conjunction: We might get

wet because it is raining hard. Because it is raining hard, we might get wet. (The
reader can see the cause and effect relationship)

Some common subordinating conjunctions

after how though
although if till
as in order that unless
as if once until
 as far as provided when
as long as (that) wheneve
as soon as rather than r
as though since where
because so long as wherever
before so (that) whether
even if so that while
even than why
though that

Beware: This is not a complete list, and all of these words are not always used this
way. Memorizing the list is not useful. Analyzing how words work together in a
sentence is the best way to find them.

Subordinating conjunctions introduce adverb or noun clauses. Adverb clauses

tell how, why, to what extent, and under what conditions something happened.

Punctuating subordinating conjunctions

If the subordinating conjunction is between the independent clause and the

dependent clause, it is strong enough to hold the sentences together without a
comma. (Subordinating conjunctions are superglue! Coordinating conjunctions are
just classroom glue.)

You must finish your painting before it dries.

If the subordinating conjunction is at the beginning of the sentence (making the

dependent clause an introductory dependent clause), the sentence needs a comma
between the two clauses. (If the glue is at the beginning, how is it going to hold
anything together? The comma is the glue.)

Before it dries, you must finish your painting.

If the subordinating conjunction is combining two words or phrases, it isn't acting as

a subordinating conjunction. It might be acting as a preposition or adverb. You will
need to decide on its punctuation based on that use.

My movie will end before yours.

Note:

Many students believe it is incorrect to start a sentence with because. This is

because too many students for too many years answer questions with only the
 second, dependent clause. Teachers want to discourage that, so they tell
students that they are not allowed to start sentences with because.
Why did the Chinese build the Great Wall?
Incorrect: Because they were trying to keep out their enemies.
Correct: The Chinese built the Great Wall because they were trying to keep out
their enemies.
Correct: Because they were trying to keep out their enemies, the Chinese built the
Great Wall.

Practice What You've Learned

Part 1
Directions:
Click on the subordinating conjunction in each sentence. Make sure to
include all the words in multi-word conjunctions.
Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 6:

Other Words that Act as Conjunctions

You have already learned about relative pronouns and relative adverbs in previous
modules. Both act as subordinating conjunctions when they connect sentences.
Relative pronouns, which include some interrogative and one demonstrative
pronoun, introduce adjective or noun clauses. They are that, which, who, whom,
and whose.

These are the students who have done well on the test.
These are the students. The students have done well on the test.
(Who replaces students when combining the sentences.)

Relative adverbs introduce adjective clauses: when, where, why. (Yes, that seems
backwards, an adverb in an adjective clause.) They replace in which, which sounds
more formal.

That is the museum where I saw the unicorn tapestry.

That is the museum in which I saw the unicorn tapestry.

Adjective clauses modify nouns. Sometimes in a sentence the noun modified by the
adjective clause is omitted but understood.

Tell your teacher why you forgot your homework.

Tell your teacher (the reason) why you forgot your homework.

Other pronouns can introduce noun clauses. They

are whoever, whomever, what, whatever, and whichever.

Whatever you want for breakfast is fine with me.

You want whatever for breakfast. Whatever is fine with me.
Hint:
When using whoever or whomever, the pronoun is part of the dependent
clause. Whoever is a subject pronoun. Whomever is an object pronoun. It
needs to work correctly in the dependent clause.
[Whoever ate the cookies] should have left them alone.
I expect [whomever I pick] to do a good job.

Practice What You've Learned

Directions:
Click on the word acting as a conjunction in the sentence.
Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 7:

As/As if Versus Like

Like versus as/as if/as though/such as - In casual speech people often use like when
they should use as or as if.

Like should only be used when followed by a noun.

The clouds look like cotton balls.

As, as if, and as though join clauses.

It is going to rain today like as it did yesterday.

It looks like as if it is going to rain.
We ran between the buildings like as though it were already raining.

Such as is used before a list.

You will need to bring rain gear like such as an umbrella, a poncho, or boots.

Practice What You've Learned

Directions:
Choose the word that best fills in the blank.
 Module 7, Conjunctions and Interjections, Lesson 8:

Interjections
Definition:

An interjection is a word or group of words that expresses emotion. They can

show happiness, surprise, anger, impatience, and many other emotions. They
can also be used to get attention. Interjections do not have a grammatical
 purpose in the sentence. They are considered parenthetical and are set off
with commas.
Some common (and less common) interjections
yes dear oh, the
no dear me horror
drat oops
hello duh ouch
hi eek phew
hey eh please
good-bye enough rats
er shh
absolutely Eureka shoot
achoo eww shucks
ack gee snap
agreed good grief stop
ah gosh sweet
aha great ugh
ahem groovy uh
ahh ha uh-huh
ahoy hmm uh-oh
alas holy um
alright macaroni umm
alrighty hooray waa
anyhow humph way to go
argh hush well
bah indeed what
humbug mmmm whew
beware my goodness whoa
blech my wow
bravo nah yay
congratulation never yikes
s no way yippee
crud nonsense yuck
dang oh yum
darn

As you can see, many interjections use onomatopoeia. Others are fad words. All of
them are words we use that don't have any real meaning in the sentence.

Interjections are generally used at the beginnings of sentences, but they may come
anywhere in the sentence.
At the beginning: Gee, that's not very nice.
At the end: You like that ice cream, huh?
In the middle: I found that, yes, I had forgotten my toothbrush.

Punctuating interjections

Interjections that express strong emotion are followed with an exclamation mark.

Oh no! I forgot to do my homework!

Mild interjections are set off from the sentence with a comma.

Rats, it's raining again.

Questioning interjections are followed by a question mark.

Huh? You want me to do what?

Occasionally an interjection might take a period, especially if it is at the end of the

sentence.

Hey. What page are we on? (Note: Here hey is used to get attention before asking
the question, so it isn't part of the question. It's not exclaimed, however, or the
speaker might get in trouble.)

My sandwich is squished. Yuck.

Hint:
Interjections reflect the way we speak in informal situations. They are
generally avoided when writing in formal or academic situations.

Practice What You've Learned

Part 1
Directions:
Click on the interjections in the following sentences.