Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word like and, but, although, because. Conjunctions have
an important function because they join other words and phrases together.
Without conjunctions, we could only make very, very simple sentences. See
also What is a Conjunction?
Introduction to Conjunctions
We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.
1. What do Conjunctions Do?
Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":
Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence
that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or
clauses, for example:
- Jack and Jill went up the hill.
- The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming.
Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate
dependent clause to a main clause, for example:
- I went swimming although it was cold.
Here are some example conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunctions Subordinating
conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so although, because, since,
unless
(FANBOYS) , I like you ,I confess with
you
2. What do Conjunctions Look Like?
Conjunctions have three basic formats:
a. single word
for example: and, but, because, although
b. compound (often ending with as or that)
for example: provided that, as long as, in order that
c. correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
for example: so...that
3. Where do Conjunctions Go?
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or
clauses that they join.
Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the
subordinate clause.
Coordinating Conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words
or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar. A
coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in
importance and structure:
There are seven coordinating conjunctions, and they are all short words of
only two or three letters:
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction
joins are shown in square brackets [ ]:
I like [tea] and [coffee].
[Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that
they join.
When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always
correct to place a comma before the conjunction:
I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian
at university.
However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma
is not really essential:
She is kind so she helps people.
When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional:
He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum.
He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.
The 7 coordinating conjunctions are short, simple words. They have only two
or three letters. There's an easy way to remember them - their initials spell
"FANBOYS", like this:
F A N B O Y S
for and no but or yet so
r
Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a
main (independent) clause:
Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:
after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that,
though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
Look at this example:
main or subordinate or
independent dependent clause
clause
Ram went although it was
swimming raining.
subordinati
ng
conjunction
A subordinate or dependent clause "depends" on a main or independent
clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine that somebody says to you: "Hello!
Although it was raining." What do you understand? Nothing! But a main or
independent clause can exist alone. You will understand very well if
somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram went swimming."
A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate
clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause
can come after or before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible:
+
Ram went swimming although it was raining.
+
Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.