Conjunctions

1. Conjunctions How to identify conjunctions and their functions

2. Conjunctions • Join words, phrases, or clauses • Indicate the relation between the elements joined • Four types of conjunctions: • Coordinating conjunctions • Correlative conjunctions • Subordinating conjunctions • Conjunctive adverbs

3. Coordinating Conjunctions • Function: connect grammatically equal elements • The 7 coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet • Example: • My favorite summer activities are swimming and running. • And is connecting two grammatically equal elements that are in the form of gerunds

4. Correlative Conjunctions • Function: pairs of conjunctions that connect grammatically equal elements • Five pairs of correlative conjunctions: either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or, both…and • Example: • Neither Katie nor Bobby were interested in eating out on Friday night. • Katie and Bobby are both nouns which are grammatically equal

5. Subordinating Conjunction • Function: introduce subordinate clauses and indicate their relation to the rest of the sentence • Subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even though, if, in order that, rather than, since, so that, than, than, though, unless, until, when, where, whether, while • Example: • Whether it rains or shines, we will go to the concert. • Whether indicates that the clause is subordinate and dependent on the remainder of the sentence

6. Conjunctive Adverbs • Function: indicate relation between independent clauses • Preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma • Some conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, also, anyway, certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, however, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, therefore, thus, then • Example: • Ryan felt very highly of the teenager who applied for the job; however, he was fully staffed and couldn’t offer him a job. • however indicates a relationship between the two independent clauses which are separated by a semicolon.