CONJUNCTIONS

CONJUNCTIONS
A CONJUNCTION is a word that connects or joins together words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.
There are two main classes of conjunctions:
1. a primary class called Coordinating Conjunctions
2. a secondary class called Subordinate or Subordinating Conjunctions
Another type of conjunctions is the Correlative Conjunctions.
 Correlative Conjunctions: they are pairs of words, the second of which is a Coordinating
Conjunction
There are also words called Conjunctive Adverbs.
 Conjunctive Adverbs: they are words that sometimes act like conjunctions, but at other times act
like simple adverbs
Coordinating Conjunctions
(FANBOYS)
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Subordinating Conjunctions
after because when though whether as soon as in that
before since where although whenever insofar as so that
until as why as though wherever as far as in order (that)
if once what even though whereas inasmuch as supposing (that)
as if lest how even if no matter how but that provided (that)
unless than who while that now that in case (that)
Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

 Coordinating conjunctions join equals to one  Subordinate Conjunctions join:
another: - words to words - phrases to phrases  clauses to clauses
- clauses to clauses
- Most children like candies and milk.  Subordinate Conjunctions GO at the beginning of
- He goes walking at the beach or by the lakeside. the sentence or between two clauses.
- What you say and what you do are two different
things.  Subordinate Conjunctions make one clause
 Coordinating conjunctions DO NOT GO at the subordinate or dependent upon the other.
beginning or the end. They go in between joined  A subordinate conjunction usually provides a
items. tighter connection between clauses than a
 Coordinating conjunctions join two equal parts of coordinating does.
a sentence - independent clauses. - Because it is raining, we have an umbrella.
 Coordinating conjunctions usually form looser
connections than other conjunctions do.
- It is raining, so we have an umbrella.
Punctuation
 When a coordinating conjunction joins two  When the dependent clause is placed first in a
words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, no sentence, use a comma between the two
comma should be placed before the conjunction. clauses.
 A coordinating conjunction joining three or more - Though Susan appreciated the flowers, a
words, phrases, or subordinate clauses c requires necklace would be a finer gift.
commas between the elements.  When the independent clause is placed first, do
 A coordinating conjunction joining two not separate the two clauses with a comma.
independent clauses requires a comma before - Susan appreciated the flowers even though a
the coordinating conjunction. necklace would be a finer gift.
- Susan appreciated the flowers, yet a necklace
would be a finer gift.
Correlative Conjunctions
either. . .or both. . . and
neither. . . nor not only. . . but also
Correlative Conjunctions are pairs of words, the second of which is a Coordinating Conjunction.
 These pairs of conjunctions require equal (parallel) structures after each one.
- She not only wants money but also fame. X (incorrect)
- She not only wants money but also wants fame. √ (Correct)
- She wants not only money but also fame. √ (Correct)
- They will either visit the castle or the museum. X (incorrect)

- They will either visit the castle or visit the museum. √ (Correct)
- They will visit either the castle or the museum. √ (Correct)
- He neither reads his books nor surfs the net. √ (Correct)
- Both Ahmad and Nader like Italian food. √ (Correct)
Conjunctive Adverbs
after all still besides otherwise instead on the other hand for example
next hence in addition likewise however on the contrary furthermore
then thus again therefore moreover in other words meanwhile
finally indeed that is as a result consequently nevertheless accordingly
also in fact incidentally further namely nonetheless
Conjunctive adverbs join independent clauses together.
Conjunctive adverbs are sometimes used as simple adverbs. (If they do not connect independent
clauses, they are not conjunctive adverbs. Then, they are merely adverbs modifying a verb, adjective, or
another adverb).
For instance, in the sentences below, the words accordingly, still, and instead are adverbs. When
functioning this way, the adverb needs no punctuation to separate it from the surrounding material.
NOTE 1: For example, see the following sentences:
I knew the test would be hard, so I planned accordingly to study for several hours.
I was still studying at six o'clock in the evening!
Joey decided to go to a party instead.
In these examples above, there is no comma needed before the words accordingly, still, and instead.
That's because they are acting like adverbs, modifying verbs like planned and was studying, and decided.
The tricky part is that these same adverbs can also transform into conjunctive adverbs. Conjunctive
adverbs can be used with a comma to introduce a new independent clause, or they can help connect
two independent clauses together after a semicolon. Typically, each conjunctive adverb is followed by a
comma. For example, look at the comma usage below:
Joey had an upset stomach. Accordingly, he took antacid tablets.

Joey had an upset stomach; accordingly, he took antacid tablets.
The antacids must not have worked. Otherwise, he would quit complaining.
The antacids must not have worked; otherwise, he would quit complaining.
The antacids didn't work for Jill either. Instead, they made her feel even more sick.
The antacids didn't work for Jill either; instead, they made her feel even more sick.
Here, the conjunctive adverb helps connect the ideas of the two sentences together. Note also that after
a semicolon, the word beginning the next independent clauses needs no capitalization.
Punctuation
(B) Two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb are separated by a semicolon. However, the
writer still needs to insert a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
[Independent clause] ; conjunctive adverb , [independent clause] .
Examples: The gods thundered in the heavens; furthermore, the mortals below cowered in fear.
The bank robber dodged the bullet; however, Joey was shot seventeen times in the tibia.
Susan appreciated the flowers; nevertheless, a Corvette would be a finer a gift.
(C) Two independent clauses not joined by a conjunction are separated by a semicolon.
[Independent clause] ; [independent clause] .
Examples: The gods thundered in the heavens; the mortals below cowered in fear.
The bank robber dodged the bullet; Joey was shot seventeen times in the tibia.
Susan appreciated the flowers; a Corvette would be a finer gift.
In the examples above, you can see that the semicolon does the same job as both a comma and a
conjunction.
Place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after the conjunctive adverb

CONJUNCTIONS

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CONJUNCTIONS

Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

- They will either visit the castle or the museum. X (incorrect)

I was still studying at six o'clock in the evening!

Joey decided to go to a party instead.

Joey had an upset stomach. Accordingly, he took antacid tablets.

[Independent clause] ; conjunctive adverb , [independent clause] .

Susan appreciated the flowers; nevertheless, a Corvette would be a finer a gift.

[Independent clause] ; [independent clause] .

Susan appreciated the flowers; a Corvette would be a finer gift.

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