Conjunctions

1. Conjunctions Conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, or clauses together

2. Coordinating Conjunctions There are seven coordinating conjunctions: And, but, or, nor, for, so, yet They can be used to join words together: We found a bat and a glove. They can be used to join phrases together: They may be hiding in the attic or in the basement. They can be used to join clauses together: I do not feel well, so I want to go home. Make sure you remember that “for” can be used as a preposition, but if it is a preposition, it will be starting a prep. phrase. “For” used as a conjunction is used in the same way the word “because” is used.

3. Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions work in pairs. Both … and not only … but (also) either … or Whether … or neither …. nor Both athletes and singers must train for long hours. We searched not only behind the garage but also under the porch. *The “also” in this pair may not always be used. Either your fuel line is clogged, or your carburetor needs adjusting.

4. Practice Identify the coordinating and correlative conjunctions in the following sentences. She and I have always been best friends. Neither my dog nor my cat is allowed to sleep on my bed. I aced not only my government test, but also my English quiz. Either you or I have to work concessions this weekend. I hope the game goes well, for we haven’t had a win all year! Whether we win or lose isn’t important; it’s how we play the game. I am grounded, so I’m not able to go out tonight. I will not ever be famous, nor will I ever be rich. The wind blew 82 miles per hour last night, yet the birdhouse is still standing. Both my mother and my father will be attending the concert tonight.

5. Subordinating Conjunctions These conjunctions are used at the beginning of clauses (a clause is a group of words that contains its own subject and verb). When used, they make a clause dependent, meaning that it cannot stand alone as a sentence. After Although As As if As much as As though As well as Because Before Even though How If In order that provided Since So that Than That Though Unless until When Whenever Where Wherever Whether While why *Note that some of these words, such as “after” and “before,” you’ve already learned as prepositions. The difference is that prepositional phrases will never have verbs in them, while subordinating conjunctions will have verbs following them.

6. Examples If you study hard, you will do well on the test. We arrived late because our train was delayed. Dr. Watson listened while Sherlock Holmes explained his theory. After we won the basketball game, we celebrated. Because we received three inches of snow, school was delayed the next morning.

7. Prepositions vs. Subordinating Conjunctions As you learned before, prepositional phrases will never have verbs in them, and that comprises the main difference between the words that appear on both lists. Examples Preposition: I went to Pizza Hut after the game. Subordinating Conjunction: After I get back from the game, I’m going to Pizza Hut. (After begins a clause that has a subject and verb – a “mini sentence”) Preposition: I slept until noon. Subordinating Conjunction: I slept until it was time for lunch.

8. PracticeSentence Writing 1. Write a clause that begins with the subordinating conjunction after (make sure that there’s a subject and verb that follows. Example: After I eat dinner, (put a comma after it) 2. Hand your paper to someone near you. This person will add an independent clause that will finish the sentence. Example: After I eat dinner, I will go to sleep. Start off a new sentence with an independent clause (one that has its own subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence. Keep it simple! Example: I like Elvis (do not follow this with a comma) 4. Hand the paper you have to someone near you. You will start off a dependent clause with the word because. This will finish the sentence. Example: I like Elvis because he is cool. 5. Listen to your grammar guru as she guides you through a few more sentences!