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Conjunctions
Prepositions simply relate different words, but conjunctions make a direct
connection between words.
A conjunction is a word used to connect other words or groups of words.
The three main kinds of conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions,
correlative conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect similar kinds of words or similar groups
of words.
and
but
Examples
Coordinating Conjunctions
for
nor
or
so
yet
My sister and brother ran the program.
They wrote a short yet effective report.
The dog barked but wagged its tail.
Put the bags on the table or in the closet.
Bob left early, so I left with him.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions also connect similar words or groups of words.
However, they always appear in pairs.
both…and
either…or
Examples
Correlative Conjunctions
neither…nor
not only…but also
whether…or
He watched both lions and tigers.
Neither Don nor she will go.
Jean recycled bottles and cans not only consistently
but also carefully.
Adapted from Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action
English 9 & 9H
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions connect two complete ideas by making one of
the ideas subordinate to the other. To subordinate means to “place below
another in rank or importance.”
after
although
as
as if
as long as
as though
because
Frequently Used Subordinating Conjunctions
before
till
even though
unless
if
until
in order that
until
so that
where
than
wherever
though
while
Notice that the subordinating conjunction always comes just before the
subordinate idea.
Examples
We protect the wetlands because they are important to the
ecosystem.
As soon as the volunteers arrived, the cleanup work began.
Subordinating Conjunction or Preposition?
After, before, since, till, and until can be subordinating conjunctions or
prepositions, depending on how they are used. In the first example below,
until is a subordinating conjunction because it connects two complete
ideas. In the second example, until is the first word in a prepositional
phrase.
Subordinating Until you finish your wetland research, you are not ready to
Conjunction
begin writing.
Preposition
Until recent decades, people were not as proactive in
preserving the environment.
Adapted from Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action
English 9 & 9H
Conjunctive Adverbs
Some words can act as both conjunctions and adverbs at the same time!!!
A conjunctive adverb is an adverb that acts as a conjunction to connect
complete ideas.
Conjunctive adverbs are often used as transitions. Transitions serve as
bridges between different ideas.
Frequently Used Conjunctive Adverbs
accordingly
finally
nevertheless
again
furthermore
otherwise
also
however
then
besides
indeed
therefore
consequently
moreover
thus
The following examples show how conjunctive adverbs can be used to
make transitions between different ideas.
Examples
Maureen loves animals; moreover, she is a student of
plant and animal life.
I arrived late; furthermore, I forgot my books.
Adapted from Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action
English 9 & 9H