Ask a Teacher

Search



CONJUNCTION
A conjunction is a joiner, a word that connects (conjoins) parts of a sentence.
Coordinating Conjunctions:and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so.    
Subordinating Conjunctions: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.


comments powered by Disqus