Parts of Speech-The Next Generation
Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): join equals to one another: words to words,
phrases to phrases, clauses to clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions go in between items joined, not at the beginning or end.
Ex. The boys and girls went outside for recess. (joining words)
Joe drives a dark, green car but wants a bright red truck. (joining phrases)
We could go to a movie, or we could hike in the park. (joining clauses/sentences)
for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
Correlative conjunctions: always travel in pairs and combine parts of clauses that are equal.
Ex. I want either the cheesecake or the hot fudge sundae for dessert.
both…and
not…but
either…or
not only…but also
whether…or
neither… nor
Subordinating conjunctions: join a main clause (independent) to a subordinate clause
(dependent) using one of the following patterns:
Main Clause + Subordinate Clause
Subordinate Clause + , + Main Clause
subordinate clause
main clause
Ex. After the storm ended, we drove to Grandma’s house.
main clause
subordinate clause
We drove to Grandma’s house after the storm ended.
after
although
as
because
before
even if
even though
if
in order that
once
provided that
rather than
since
so that
than
that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
while
why
Verbs
State of Being Verbs: show existence or the “state” of the noun. Can be linking verbs, or
helping verbs.
Ex. Francesca was a great friend.
Is
am
are
was
were
be
being
been
Helping Verbs: Add to a sentence; followed by either an action verb or a linking verb.
Ex. Jane is running to the store to get some milk. (running—main verb; is—helping)
Fred was quietly talking to the teacher. (talking—main verb; was—helping)
is
am
are
was
were
be
being
been
has
have
had
do
does
did
shall
should
can
could
will
would
may
might
mus
Linking Verbs: connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject.
*If you can substitute am, is, or are for the word and it still makes sense, it is a linking verb.
Ex. Brian is sick today. (is connects Brian to how he feels)
The food smells delicious. (connects food to how it smells)
The state of being verbs can sometimes be used as linking verbs.
Some common linking verb that can also be action verbs:
appear
look
smell
feel
prove
sound
grow
remain
taste
turn
Pronouns
Demonstrative: Used to indicate specific items
this, that, these, those
Indefinite: used to indicate a non-specific group
all, some, any, several, anyone, everyone, nobody, each, both, few, either, none,
one, no one, somebody…
Interrogative: used in questions
who, which, what, where, how
Possessive: used to show ownership or possession (possessive adjectives)
my, your, his, her, hers, its, our, their, mine
Reflexive: refers to another noun or pronoun in the sentence (end in –self or –selves)
myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves