Conjunctions
The bridges in sentences
Presented by :
Mr. Carver
Conjunctions
• Defined: words that join words or
groups of words.
– There are three main types of conjunctions.
They are
– Coordinating conjunctions
– Correlative conjunctions
– Subordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating Conjunctions
• Coordinating conjunctions connect
words, phrases, and clauses of equal
value. Clauses of equal value are called
independent clauses and can stand on
their own as separate sentences.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Joining Independent Clauses (complete sentences)
When joining independent clauses, you MUST use a comma
Before the coordinating conjunction.
•
Example: John is running in this race, and I am carrying his water bottle.
Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence:
– John is running in this race.
– I am carrying his water bottle.
Coordinating Conjunctions continued
Words and phrases:
When connecting words and phrases of equal value, a comma is
not necessary!
Example for words:
Jack and Jill went up the hill.
He ran or skipped to school every day.
Example for phrases:
He went to the store and bought a shirt.
He ate his lunch and left early.
F
A
N
B
O Y
** Note: Because the job of a coordinating conjunction is to join,
you CANNOT start a sentence with one.
Incorrect: But he went to the mall anyway
Correct: His mom told him no, but he went to the mall anyway.
S
Subordinating Conjunctions
• Subordinating conjunctions introduce
dependent clauses. Dependent clauses
cannot stand alone as a single sentence.
In fact, the clause is dependent on the rest
of the sentence for its meaning.
Some common subordinating conjunctions:
Since
Before
Whenever
As soon as
While
Unless
Whereas
In order to
Because
Until
Although
While
Subordinating Conjunctions
Usually, a subordinating conjunction is explaining a condition to the main
idea of the sentence. While it gives more information, it is not essential
to the basic meaning of the sentence.
• Example: Since I will not be home, Tina
will answer the phone.
• "Since I will not be home" doesn't make sense by itself.
• It is dependent on the rest of the sentence for its meaning.
• It gives the condition why Tina will answer the phone, but doesn’t change the
meaning.
Example: He went to the movies because he
was bored.
• “because he was bored” cannot stand alone
• “because” is the subordinating conjunction
• “He went to the movies” is a complete sentence.
– Note: It is not always necessary to use a comma to
separate the dependent clause from the rest of the sentence.
Subordinating Conjunctions
• The most commonly used subordinating
conjunctions include: although, because,
as, while, until, whether, since, after, so
that, when, before, if.
Incorrect example
Although he studied.
Correct example
Although he studied, he still felt uncomfortable about the test.
Correlative Conjunctions
• Correlative conjunctions are always
used in pairs and show a relationship
between two or more items.
• Paired conjunctions are often used in both spoken
and written English to make a point, give an
explanation, or discuss alternatives.
• Unfortunately, not only are they difficult to use, but
their structure is also rather strict!
Correlative Conjunctions
• Example: Both drivers took the test on Tuesday
and passed with flying colors.
– The paired conjunction is both…and. This relates
both taking and both passing.
» Note: It is not always necessary to use a comma when using
correlative conjunctions.
Correlative Conjunctions
• The correlative conjunctions are either…or;
neither…nor; both…and; not only…but also;
and whether…or.
Incorrect example (sort of)
It is important to study. It is
important to take notes.
Correct example
Not only is it important to study, but it is also important to take notes.
Making your writing connect
Commonly Confused Words
10.3
• All right
………………….. Alright
– Although alright is widely used, it is
considered nonstandard English.
• As the American Heritage Dictionary notes, it's not
“all right to use alright.”
Commonly Confused Words
10.6
• all together / altogether
• All together is applied to people or
things that are being treated as a group.
All together is the form that must be used if the sentence can be reworded so
that all and together are separated by other words
– “We put the pots and pans all together on the shelf.”
• Separated: “We put all the pots and pans together on the shelf” makes sense!
* Altogether is used to mean entirely:
“I am altogether pleased to be receiving this
award.”
Commonly Confused Words
57.5
• Figuratively
– Figuratively is an adverb that means
metaphorically or symbolically.
• Happening upon the shadowy figure, they figuratively jumped out
of their shoes.
• literally
– Literally is an adverb that means actually.
• I'm not exaggerating when I say I literally fell off my chair.
Commonly Confused Words
10.9
• Alternately
– Means to alternate in turn or one after
another.
• Alternately lift one knee up and then the other.
* Alternatively
– Means “on the other hand.”
• Alternatively, your child may be chomping at the bit to exercise.
Commonly Confused Words
62.5
*Of – used as a preposition to show placement.
Example: There were many of his books in the bin.
•Have – used as a verb or helping verb to show
possession.
•Example: He could have passed the test.
The biggest confusion here is in writing. Spoken English sounds
like ‘of’ when using contractions. However, the contractions are
have. In an essay, could’ve is written as could have, NOT
COULD OF!
Sample questions:
• The doctor said I was _____________.
– All right
alright
• He was ____________ almost dead.
– Literally
figuratively
• He put his books ____________ in his bag.
– All together
altogether
• He __________ used his right, then his left.
– Alternately
alternatively
• He could ________ gone to the store, but he didn’t.
– Have
Of
Game ?
• 1) I need an office to myself ______ I
can get some work done.
• So That
• 2) Write it down ______ you don't
forget.
• so
Game ?’s
• 3) ______ you left, the atmosphere in
the office has not been as nice.
• Since
• 4) Julie has a guitar, ______she plays it
really well.
• and
Game ?’s
• 5)I went to buy a Rolling Stones CD,
______the shop didn't have it.
• But
• 6) Some apples are red, ________ others
are green.
• while
Game ?’s
• 7) ________ Roger ______ Carlos knows
how to speak Russian.
• Both … and
• 8) _____ ______is the Grand Canyon less
expensive than Las Vegas, _____ it
is _____ prettier.
• Not only …. But also