Conjunctions—Notes and Exercises
Another kind of word used to tie parts of a sentence together is a conjunction. A conjunction may
connect single words, or it may connect groups of words called phrases and clauses.
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Coordinating Conjunctions
are used to connect similar
sentence parts. They tie
together things of the same
kind or order.
Correlative Conjunctions
are conjunctions that are
used in pairs.
Conjunctive Adverbs
are adverbs that are
used to join main
clauses. A conjunctive
adverb is preceded by a
semicolon and followed
by a comma.
And
But
Yet
Not only
Accordingly
Hence
But (also)
Nevertheless Thus
Either…or
Consequently Also
Neither…nor
Furthermore Still
Both… and
However
Besides
Whether…or
Moreover
Therefore
Subordinating Conjunctions are words used to introduce adverb clauses and link
them to the main clause. They make the relationship between the two clauses clear.
Subordinating conjunctions show relationships of time, place, condition, comparison,
cause, result, exception, and alternative. When a subordinating conjunction is placed
before a clause, the clause can no longer stand alone.
After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As though
Because
Before
If
In order that
Provided
Since
So that
Than
Though
Till
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
While
Coordinating Conjunctions
Some conjunctions are used to connect similar sentence parts. They are called coordinating
conjunctions because they tie together things of the same kind of order. These coordinating conjunctions are
and, but, or, and yet.
Snow and sleet covered the roads.
The train was fast and comfortable.
The traffic moved slowly but steadily.
He was strict yet fair.
The rocket shot off the pad and into the air.
We could take a walk or go for a swim.
They acted human, yet I kept noticing their webbed feet.
For and so are also used as coordinating conjunctions to connect groups of words that would
otherwise stand alone as separate sentences.
They called him “Mr. X,” for no one knew his real name.
Out television broke, so we told stories instead.
The word nor is used as a coordinating conjunction only when it is preceded by another negative word.
The workers had no organization, nor did they have leaders.
Betty did not have her skis, nor did she have her skates.
Correlative Conjunctions
A few conjunctions are used in pairs: not only… but (also); either…or; neither…nor; both…and;
whether… or. Such conjunctions are called correlative conjunctions.
Some cats are not only independent but also aloof.
Both Laurel and her brother made the team.
Neither the mayor nor his aide would comment on the report.
We must decide whether to stand firm or to compromise.
Conjunctive Adverbs
Certain adverbs are used to join main clauses. Main clauses are groups of words that would otherwise
stand alone as separate sentences. When used in this way, the adverbs are called conjunctive adverbs. A
conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
Note: There is one type of conjunction known as a subordinating conjunction. Refer to Section 3.5 for
discussion of conjunctions of this type.
Exercise A: Find and identify each coordinating conjunction, correlative conjunction, and conjunctive adverb.
1. Neither the speeches nor the music was very exciting.
2. Both the Japanese and the Italian delegates opposed the investigation.
3. The search party worked quickly and carefully to find the missing children.
4. We must either sell more subscriptions or give up the paper.
5. The police officer beckoned us forward, but we could not move.
6. The odds were against him, yet Washington drove forward.
7. We were not at home; nevertheless, the package arrived safely.
8. The evidence sounded convincing; still, we believed Northrop innocent.
9. The dictionary is a valuable tool; however, not all dictionaries agree.
10. The sub was lying silently three hundred feet down, so the planes could not detect it.
11. Play the record and think of us.
12. We must leave at once; otherwise, we will be late.
13. Do you know whether Paul or Jane is coming?
14. The outfielders wear glasses; consequently, the sun won’t blind them.
15. Wave after wave engulfed the tower, but the light still shone.
Subordinating Conjunctions: Words used to introduce adverbs and clauses are called subordinating
conjunctions. These words not only introduce the subordinate clause but link it to the main clause. They
make the relationship between the two clauses clear. Subordinating conjunctions show relationships of time,
place, condition, comparison, cause, result, exception, and alternative.
When a subordinating conjunction is placed before a clause, the clause can no longer stand alone.
Your grades are average. (complete)
If your grades are average…(incomplete)
Since your grader are average…(incomplete)
The football season is over. (complete)
When the football season is over…(incomplete)
Until the football season is over…(incomplete)
A subordinating conjunction may be placed before either of two main clauses to tie one to the other.
Which clause is subordinate depends upon the meaning the writer wants to express.
Although the chef bakes delicious bread, his cakes are failures.
Although the chef’s cakes are failures, he bakes delicious bread.
Because few people had signed up, the trip had been delayed.
Few people had signed up, because the trip had been delayed.
Subordinating conjunctions can be used to show a great variety of relationships between main ideas.
Choosing conjunctions carefully will enable you to express your ideas clearly and exactly.
TIME: As, as soon, after, before, since, until, when, whenever, while.
CAUSE OF REASON:
because, since
COMPARISON: as, as much as, than
CONDITION: if, although, though, unless, provided
PURPOSE: so that, in order that
Note how the meaning changes with the change of conjunctions in these sentences.
While she gave the speech, she seemed confident.
Before she gave the speech, she seemed confident.
After she gave the speech, she seemed confident.
Directions: Copy each sentence and highlight the subordinate clause(s) in each. Identify the relationship in red
after each sentence.
1. The clown looked everywhere for his trumpet, but, since it was in his back pocket, he couldn’t find it.
2. Divers sometimes explore the shipwrecks under Lake Superior, but they must be very careful, because
these ancient wrecks can be dangerous.
3. After the game is over, a rock band will perform in the school gymnasium, and light refreshments will
be served in the cafeteria.
4. Richard Burbage, who was a giant of a man, played the first Hamlet; moreover, he was a shareholder in
Shakespear’s theater.
5. While the ship’s captain and the first mate were below, a violent storm arose, and a dangerous
waterspout was spotted in the distance.
6. There are very few tickets left, but you can still see the Led Zeppelin concert provided you don’t mind
sitting in the second balcony.
7. Although many of the hits of 1983 have been forgotten, “Jeepers, Creepers” is still popular, and “Flat
Foot Floogie with a Floy Floy” has only been re-recorded.
8. We enjoyed the jousting at the Renaissance Fair; however, the madrigal singers, who were among the
best that I’ve heard, put on an even more enjoyable show.
9. Van Gogh was one of the greatest painters that Europe has produced; nevertheless, he remained poor
all of his life.
10. The white rabbit, who wore a waistcoat and pocket watch, scurried by, and Alice gasped in
amazement.