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

28 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.

3. habib on September 16th, 2010 11:51 am

   thanx a lot. I like to know about albeit. Can i use it instead of though and should i use yet in here? like Yet: ‘yet’ is similar to but .In case of ‘though’ always use ‘yet’ not ‘but’

   Regards
   Habib

4. HANA on September 17th, 2010 8:22 pm

   hi
   you enumerated so as a coordinating conjunctions then you gave an example of so in the subordinating ones. Would you explain please?

5. shipra on September 18th, 2010 4:58 am

   Thanks for your comment Hana, examples of subordinating conjunction is in subordinating conjunction.I am realy not getting your question. Please clarify in bit details.

6. nwenwewin on September 18th, 2010 9:08 am

   thank you to reply me
   I want to learn some lessons and please send to me

7. shipra on September 20th, 2010 5:10 am

   Nwenwewnin, please be little specific please let me know for what you looKing for exercise?

8. shipra on September 25th, 2010 4:22 am

   yes habib, but there is a grammar rule although or though must be followed by yet not but.

9. HAWANA RAMADHAN JUMA on September 27th, 2010 9:15 am

   I HAVE QUESTION THE WORD “SO” IT EXIST IN COORDINATING CONJUCTION AND SURBORDINATING CONJUCTION WHY ?

10. shipra on September 28th, 2010 5:10 am

    Hawana , i did not mention so in subordinating conjunction.Please be little specific about what you asking.

11. noor on October 3rd, 2010 10:21 am

    Hi shipra
    could u plez give names of refrences about subordination and coordination . I’m about doing a research (a contrastive study based on Halliday’s SFL) thanx in advance

12. shipra on October 4th, 2010 8:40 am

    Noor, kindly visit Grammar books, they are specially helpful.

13. nishant dwivedi on October 22nd, 2010 8:35 pm

    thanks.i find your blogs always good and hope u’ll continue to help others writing such good blogs.

14. shipra on October 23rd, 2010 5:17 am

    Thanks for your comment nishant, kindly keep visiting us.

15. amir46 on December 4th, 2010 3:43 am

    We are in need for examples to clarify the meaning of each conjuction.

16. hossein on December 4th, 2010 5:42 am

    memory trick to learn all these seven conjunctions is
    FANBOYS

    FAN in Swedish means Devil or Damn

    now you memorize better

17. glowboy on December 4th, 2010 6:37 am

    would you plz give me basic know how about coordination in detail

18. glowboy on December 4th, 2010 6:38 am

    would you plz give basic know how about conjunction in detail

19. bhawana bhatt on December 6th, 2010 6:28 pm

    Hai Shipra, your sggesition about to use cojunction gives me a way to think about more sentences and use more conjuction. I am waiting for your other advice.

20. shipra on December 7th, 2010 4:37 am

    Thanks for your comment Bhawana, we are really happy that we can help you. Stay tuned for our upcoming blogs to learn more about same..

21. shipra on December 7th, 2010 6:05 am

    Thanks for your comment glowboy, surly we will try to come up more on this in near future.Kindly keep visiting us

22. shipra on December 7th, 2010 6:07 am

    Thanks for enlighten us hossein, kindly keep visiting us.

23. harpreet on December 14th, 2010 4:29 am

    its great to know about conjunctions easily and in simple manner. Beside subordinating and correlative,, is there any other parts of conjunctions?

24. shipra on December 15th, 2010 4:36 am

    Thanks for your comment Harpreet, no there is no other type of conjunction..

25. Hussein Ahmed on May 21st, 2011 5:18 am

    thank you for your short brief explanation on conjunctions,could you please give us a lessons about pantuations

26. shipra on May 23rd, 2011 4:08 am

    Hussein, kindly visit our blog segment..

27. assignon kodjovi on June 4th, 2011 3:59 pm

    it good to know about conjuntions

28. 'I-neek Lennon Craig on September 19th, 2011 7:08 pm

    it is the time of my life now since i learn about GRE.

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