Conjunctions
Conjunctions are used to join words,
phrases, or clauses together
Coordinating Conjunctions
There are seven coordinating conjunctions:
And, but, or, nor, for, so, yet
They can be used to join words together:
We found a bat and a glove.
They can be used to join phrases together:
They may be hiding in the attic or in the basement.
They can be used to join clauses together:
I do not feel well, so I want to go home.
Make sure you remember that “for” can be used as a preposition, but if it is a
preposition, it will be starting a prep. phrase. “For” used as a conjunction is used in
the same way the word “because” is used.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.
Both … and
Whether … or
not only … but (also)
neither …. nor
either … or
Both athletes and singers must train for long hours.
We searched not only behind the garage but also under the porch.
*The “also” in this pair may not always be used.
Either your fuel line is clogged, or your carburetor needs adjusting.
Practice
Identify the coordinating and correlative conjunctions in the following sentences.
1. She and I have always been best friends.
2. Neither my dog nor my cat is allowed to sleep on my bed.
3. I aced not only my government test, but also my English quiz.
4. Either you or I have to work concessions this weekend.
5. I hope the game goes well, for we haven’t had a win all year!
6. Whether we win or lose isn’t important; it’s how we play the game.
7. I am grounded, so I’m not able to go out tonight.
8. I will not ever be famous, nor will I ever be rich.
9. The wind blew 82 miles per hour last night, yet the birdhouse is still standing.
10. Both my mother and my father will be attending the concert tonight.
Subordinating Conjunctions
These conjunctions are used at the beginning of clauses (a clause is a group of words
that contains its own subject and verb). When used, they make a clause dependent,
meaning that it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
After
Although
As
As if
As much as
As though
As well as
Because
Before
Even though
How
If
In order that
provided
Since
So that
Than
That
Though
Unless
until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
Whether
While
why
*Note that some of these words, such as “after” and “before,” you’ve already
learned as prepositions. The difference is that prepositional phrases will never
have verbs in them, while subordinating conjunctions will have verbs following
them.
Examples
If you study hard, you will do well on the test.
We arrived late because our train was delayed.
Dr. Watson listened while Sherlock Holmes explained his theory.
After we won the basketball game, we celebrated.
Because we received three inches of snow, school was delayed the next morning.
Prepositions vs. Subordinating
Conjunctions
As you learned before, prepositional phrases will never have verbs in them, and that
comprises the main difference between the words that appear on both lists.
Examples
Preposition: I went to Pizza Hut after the game.
Subordinating Conjunction: After I get back from the game, I’m going to Pizza Hut.
(After begins a clause that has a subject and verb – a “mini sentence”)
Preposition: I slept until noon.
Subordinating Conjunction: I slept until it was time for lunch.
Practice
Sentence Writing
1. Write a clause that begins with the subordinating conjunction after (make sure that
there’s a subject and verb that follows. Example: After I eat dinner, (put a comma
after it)
2. Hand your paper to someone near you. This person will add an independent clause
that will finish the sentence. Example: After I eat dinner, I will go to sleep.
3. Start off a new sentence with an independent clause (one that has its own subject
and verb and can stand alone as a sentence. Keep it simple! Example: I like Elvis
(do not follow this with a comma)
4. Hand the paper you have to someone near you. You will start off a dependent
clause with the word because. This will finish the sentence.
Example: I like Elvis because he is cool.
5. Listen to your grammar guru as she guides you through a few more sentences!