Conjunctions

and but

becausenot only

which

althougheither

Words that link parts of text

yet

howeverfurthermore

additionally

nor

or

A conjunction is a joiner, a word that connects A conjunction is a joiner, a word that connects parts of a sentence. parts of a sentence.

There are three basic types of conjunctions.There are three basic types of conjunctions. coordinating conjunctionscoordinating conjunctions used to connect two used to connect two

independent clauses, independent clauses, subordinating conjunctions subordinating conjunctions used to connect the used to connect the

dependent clause and the rest of the sentence, anddependent clause and the rest of the sentence, and correlative conjunctionscorrelative conjunctions which always travel in which always travel in

pairs, and join sentence parts that should be treated pairs, and join sentence parts that should be treated as equal.as equal.

COORDINATING COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSCONJUNCTIONS

Coordinating conjunctions may join single words, or Coordinating conjunctions may join single words, or they may join groups of words, they may join groups of words,

They always join similar elements: e.g. They always join similar elements: e.g. subject+subject, verb phrase+verb phrase, subject+subject, verb phrase+verb phrase, sentence+sentence. sentence+sentence.

The seven coordinating conjunctions in English are:The seven coordinating conjunctions in English are:

FOR FOR ANDAND NOR NOR BUT BUT OR OR YET YET SO SO

ExamplesExamples The mouse ran across the room, The mouse ran across the room, butbut he stopped he stopped

when he saw the cat.when he saw the cat. We can go to the football game, We can go to the football game, oror we can go we can go

to the movies. to the movies. Jane Jane andand Marie went to the animal shelter. Marie went to the animal shelter.

EASY REMINDEREASY REMINDER An easy way to remember these six An easy way to remember these six

conjunctions is to think of the word conjunctions is to think of the word FANBOYS. Each of the letters in this FANBOYS. Each of the letters in this somewhat unlikely word is the first letter of somewhat unlikely word is the first letter of one of the coordinating conjunctions.one of the coordinating conjunctions.

Among the coordinating conjunctions, the Among the coordinating conjunctions, the most common, of course, are AND, BUT and most common, of course, are AND, BUT and OR.OR.

Conjunctions are used to join sentences or clauses together.

SUBORDINATING SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSCONJUNCTIONS

•A subordinating conjunction is a word which joins together a dependent clause and an independent clause.

•Common subordinating conjunctions:BECAUSE, AS, SINCE, SO,

ALTHOUGH, (even) THOUGH, WHEREAS, WHILE, AFTER

Susie saw a dog.

The dog only had three legs.

Conjunctions are used to join sentences or clauses together.

Susie saw a dog, which only had three legs.

Sarah ran away from the dog.The dog barked at Sarah.

Sarah ran away because the dog barked.

Sarah ran away when the dog barked.

Conjunctions are used to join sentences or clauses together.

Sarah ran away until the dog barked.

Correlative CONJUNCTIONSCorrelative CONJUNCTIONS Some conjunctions Some conjunctions

combine with other combine with other words to form what are words to form what are called correlative called correlative conjunctions. They conjunctions. They always travel in pairs, always travel in pairs, joining sentence parts joining sentence parts that should be treated as that should be treated as equal. equal.

Common Correlative Common Correlative Conjunctions:Conjunctions:

both . . . and both . . . and not only . . . but alsonot only . . . but alsonot . . . butnot . . . buteither . . . or either . . . or neither . . . norneither . . . norwhether . . . orwhether . . . or

ExamplesExamples NeitherNeither Paul Paul nornor Ben saw the snake on the Ben saw the snake on the

ground.ground. I am happy I am happy whetherwhether we go to the game we go to the game oror not. not. I’m going not only to the concert, but also

backstage!