Writing 101

Conjunctions

Learning Objectives To learn about the use of conjunctions. To understand how to enhance sentences using

conjunctions.

Introduction You have learnt that a simple sentence consists

of a Noun and a Verb. 1) John wept. 2) Alex cried. A simple sentence signals a dramatic moment

in your story – something big had happened or was about to happen.

Simple Sentence The sentences that follow a simple sentence

will give more information about the dramatic moment in your story.

1) John wept. He was totally heartbroken to hear about his good friend's passing.

2) Alex laughed. He had struck gold again. How many simple sentences do you think you

can write in your stories? Clue: think about the number of dramatic moments in your story – a lot or a few?

Enhancing Sentences You have learnt that sentences can be enhanced

with additional parts of speech in the form of Adjectives and Adverbs.

1) Poor John wept. (adjective)2) Alex laughed non-stop. (adverb) It gives the sentence more meaning. What other adjectives and adverbs can you

think of?

Enhancing Sentences You have learnt that sentences can be enhanced

with phrases too.1) Poor little John the orphan wept. (adjectival

and noun phrase)2) Alex laughed out loud in the classroom. (verb

and adverbial phrase) A phrase gives a sentence more meaning. Like

a single-word descriptive word, it enhances it.

Connecting Sentences

Often, even with the help of descriptive words and phrases, a single sentence is insufficient.

We use conjunctions to connect two sentences together.

They are called Coordinating Conjunctions and Subordinating Conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions connect two equally

important or independent clauses and are represented by FANBOYS.

Q: Why are they used so often?

Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions connect two

different and equally important ideas. 1) Poor little John the orphan wept yet he was

determined to live a great life.2) Alex laughed out loud in the classroom but he

was not punished for his action. Q: Which of the conjunction in FANBOYS do

you use most often?

Subordinating Conjunctions Subordinating means 'following'. Subordinating

conjunctions connect two sentences but one follows the other.

This means one sentence carries the main idea and the other, a secondary idea.

1) Poor little John the orphan wept because he was sad.

2) Alex laughed out loud in the classroom although the teacher asked him not to.

Q: Can you tell which is the main idea?

Learning Activity With either coordinating or subordinating

conjunctions, complete the following sentences.1) He walked off..2) I laughed out loud...3) Alex did not want to lose his toy gun...4) He ran for shelter... Remember to include descriptive words and/or

phrases in your sentences too.

Learning Activity AnswersSome suggested answers:1) He walked off and he was never seen again.2) I laughed out loud but in my heart, I was sad.3) Alex did not want to lose his toy gun because it

was a birthday gift from his grandmother.4) He ran for shelter since it was about to rain.

Discussion Why do we need to enhance simple sentences? What do we use to enhance simple sentences? What do we do when a single sentence is not

enough to say what we want to say?

In Summary A simple sentence with only a noun and verb is

too simple to show any meaning. We use descriptive words and phrases to

enhance simple sentences. When more information is needed, we use

subordinating and coordinating conjunctions to connect two sentences