Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word that "joins". A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence.
Here are some example conjunctions:
| Coordinating Conjunctions | Subordinating Conjunctions |
| and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so | although, because, since, unless |
We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.
Form
Conjunctions have three basic forms:
- Single Word
for example: and, but, because, although - Compound (often ending with as or that)
for example: provided that, as long as, in order that - Correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
for example: so...that
Function
Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":
- Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses, for example:
- Jack and Jill went up the hill.
- The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming. - Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example:
- I went swimming although it was cold.
Position
- Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.
- Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the subordinate clause.
Coordinating Conjunctions
The short, simple conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions":
- and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar.
I like [tea] and [coffee].Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]:
- [Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.
When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction:
- I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian at university.
However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential:
- She is kind so she helps people.
When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional:
- He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum.
- He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.
Subordinating Conjunctions
The majority of conjunctions are "subordinating conjunctions". Common subordinating conjunctions are:
- after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
Look at this example:
| main or independent clause | subordinate or dependent clause | |
| Ram went swimming | although | it was raining. |
| subordinating conjunction | ||
EXERCISES
1.
| Receptionists must be able to relay information ______ pass messages accurately. | ||||||
| (A) | or | ||||||
| (B) |
and
| ||||||
| (C) | but | ||||||
| (D) | because | ||||||
| 2. | I did not go to the show ______ I had already seen it. | ||||||
| (A) | until | ||||||
| (B) |
because
| ||||||
| (C) | so | ||||||
| (D) | but | ||||||
| 3. | Mary is a member of the Historical Society ______ the Literary Society. | ||||||
| (A) | as | ||||||
| (B) | or | ||||||
| (C) |
and
| ||||||
| (D) | but | ||||||
| 4. | Read over your answers ______ correct all mistakes before you pass them up. | ||||||
| (A) | or | ||||||
| (B) |
and
| ||||||
| (C) | because | ||||||
| (D) | while | ||||||
| 5. | Keep the food covered ______ the flies will contaminate it. | ||||||
| (A) |
or
| ||||||
| (B) | and | ||||||
| (C) | until | ||||||
| (D) | though | ||||||
| 6. | ______ he is thin, he is strong. | ||||||
| (A) | But | ||||||
| (B) | As | ||||||
| (C) |
Though
| ||||||
| (D) | Because | ||||||
| 7. | Susie ______ phoned ______ wrote after she left home. | ||||||
| (A) | either, or | ||||||
| (B) |
neither, nor
| ||||||
| (C) | while, and | ||||||
| (D) | though, or | ||||||
| 8. | She had an unpleasant experience ______ she was in Thailand. | ||||||
| (A) | but | ||||||
| (B) | and | ||||||
| (C) | because | ||||||
| (D) |
while
| ||||||
| 9. | The committee rejected the proposal ______ they did not think it was practical. | ||||||
| (A) | or | ||||||
| (B) | but | ||||||
| (C) | though | ||||||
| (D) |
because
| ||||||
| 10. | John welcomed his guests ______ offered them drinks. | ||||||
| (A) |
and
| ||||||
| (B) | while | ||||||
| (C) | until | ||||||
| (D) | as Answers
1B 2B 3C 4B 5A 6C 7B 8D 9D 10A
| ||||||
