Conjunctions
What is a conjunction?
• Words that connect other words or groups of
words in a sentence are called conjunctions.
• Conjunctions can connect two subjects, two
predicates, or two sentences.
– Gulls and puffins are sea birds.
– They swim and dive well.
– Gulls soar, and puffins swim gracefully.
Conjunctions continued
• Conjunctions can also connect other words in
a sentence.
– Sam walked quickly but quietly.
– He looked on the cliff and near the shore.
– He did not see any puffins or gulls.
Coordinating Conjunctions
• You can remember F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. in order to
identify the conjunctions in a sentence.
– F = For
– A = And
– N = Nor
– B = But
– O = Or
– Y = Yet
– S = So
• Be careful not to mistake a preposition for a
conjunction!
Coordinating Conjunctions (Hints)
• You can remember F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. in order to
identify the conjunctions in a sentence.
– F = For (formal speaking and can be substituted with
because)
– A = And
– N = Nor
– B = But
– O = Or
– Y = Yet (formal speaking and can be substituted with
but)
– S = So
• Be careful not to mistake a preposition for a conjunction!
Common Conjunctions
Conjunction
Use
Example
And
Joins together
An addition
Shows contrast
Swans and
penguins swim.
Swans live on
ponds, but
penguins do not.
Shows positive
choice
Penguins slide or
waddle
But
Or
Common Conjunctions
Conjunction
Use
Example
For
To show reason
Nor
Shows negative
choice
I wore my blue dress
for everyone was
dressing up
Neither penguins
nor ostriches can fly.
Yet
Shows contrast
Brian hurried, yet
time was running
out.
So
Shows results
I wanted to stay
home, so I told my
mom I was sick.
Identify the conjunction in each of
these sentences.
1. Parrots live in wild places or in zoos.
2. Their beaks and feet are good for
climbing.
3. Tame parrots are friendly and loyal to
their owners.
4. Most parrots live in jungles, but some
live in grasslands.
5. They eat seeds and drink at water holes.
Subordinating Conjunctions
• Sometimes the ideas in two separate
sentences are related. You combine these
sentences by using a special conjunction
called a subordinating conjunction. The
subordinating conjunction will help show the
relationship between the two sentences.
Subordinating Conjunctions
• Also known as
AAAWWUBBIS words
–
–
–
–
–
–
A: After
A: Although
A: As
W: When
W: While
U: Until
–
–
–
–
B: Because
B: Before
I: If
S: Since
Subordinating Conjunctions
• Also known as AAAWWUBBIS words
• If the sentence begins with a subordinating
conjunction, you must have a comma after the
clause.
• However, when the subordinating
conjunctions is in the middle of the sentence,
there is no comma.
Subordinating Conjunction
Conjunction
Use
Example
After
Following
Although
Even though
As
In comparison with
When
At that time
While
At the same time
After we eat, we will go
watch a movie.
I washed the clothes
although I forgot to put
them in the dryer.
As we headed out the
door, the phone rang.
I will meet you by the
fountain when I get to the
mall.
While we ate dinner, the
band played.
Subordinating Conjunction
Conjunction Use
Until
Because
Before
If
Since
To the time when
Example
Until last night, we really
needed rain.
For a reason
We were late because we
had a flat tire.
Earlier
Before you leave, please
make sure to turn off the
light.
Something that
Grandma will take us to
depends on something the park if we help her
else to occur first
rake the yard.
For a reason during
Since you came to town, I
the period following
always have a friend.
the time
Identify the conjunction in each of
these sentences.
• We are practicing every afternoon because our
marching band is playing in the Rose City Parade.
• Although we are all learning to march, We all can
play our instruments well.
• The woodwind section marched and played while
everyone clapped and whistled.
• As the whole band began to play, the crowd went
crazy!
Correlative Conjunctions
• Pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect
ideas.
Conjunction
Example
both/and
Both apples and oranges are grown on
trees
Either my mom or my dad will pick me
up after the party.
Neither my sister nor my brother eat
broccoli.
either/or
neither/nor
Identify the conjunctions in each of
these sentences.
A. I want either the cheesecake or the frozen hot
chocolate.
B. Both Jon and Lauren enjoyed the movie.
C. Neither Peter nor Andrew has passed the test.