Conjunctions

Conjunctions

In simple words, we can call conjunction as ‘connector’ because it connects words, clauses, or phrases in the sentence.

Coordinating Conjunction

Coordinating conjunction is used to connect grammatically identical words, phrases, and clauses, which are similar in importance and structure. Example, My favorite food is bread and butter (connects two nouns bread, butter), I go to the temple every day, and my sister goes to school everyday (connects two clauses), Birds sat on the tree and start chirping (connects two phrases). We place coordinating conjunction between the items which are suppose to be joined. FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO these are seven coordinating conjunctions. Mnemonics or memory trick to learn all these seven conjunctions is FANBOYS (see bold letters).

• And: used to connect grammatically equal words or ideas.
• But: joins two contrasting ideas.
• For: used to introduce the reason for the previous clause
• Or: provides two equally important options.
• Nor: presents an alternate negative idea. Always use with neither.. ..nor.
• So: shows that the second idea is the out come of the first.
• Yet: ‘yet’ is similar to but .In case of ‘though’ always use ‘yet’ not ‘but’.

Subordinating conjunction

As the name suggests ‘subordinate’ means ‘lower in rank’ subordinate conjunction works same in a sentence. It reduces the importance of one clause (to which it is attached) to make it clearer which of two presented ideas is more important. Example, As it was dark, we were scared (Scare> dark). Subordinate conjunctions also establish a relationship between dependent and independent clause and also introduce the subordinate clause in sentence. Example, His father is sick, so he will not come to school. (Second clause depends on first and joined by ‘so’). A subordinating conjunction may appear at a sentence beginning or between two clauses in a sentence. After, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while are some subordinating conjunctions. You can use them in following manner:
Surprising Result
Although, even though, though.
Cause
Because, since, now that, as.

Variation
Whereas, while.

Condition
If, even if, only if, as if.

Correlative Conjunctions

It is actually a paired coordinating conjunction, and always used in pairs. Correlative conjunction is basically used to connect an adjective and an adverb. Some commonly used correlative conjunctions are: both…and, either…or, not only…. but also. Example, either john or peter has done this.

Conjunctions are tools to write complex sentences, and also useful in reducing the length of the sentence. Conjunction allows us gracefull transition from one part of a sentence to another part of the sentence. Do share your views and comments underneath this blog.

Wishing you success!!

Regards,

Shipra Srivastava
Learnwordlist.com

2 Responses to “Conjunctions”

1. Natalia Sagastegui on August 30th, 2010 1:50 pm

   Shipra Srivastava,
   I find very important everything you published on this web site, will you give me examples of the usage of surprising results such as
   Although, even though, though, please ?

2. shipra on September 1st, 2010 5:08 am

   Although and even though are for opposite response e.g Although i was sick, i did not take medicine.

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