Conjunctions

What are conjunctions?

- Words that can link two words together. They are also called as connectors. More often
than not, they are simply referred to as joining words.
- And, but, so, although, since and however are some commonly used conjunctions.
A. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (FANBOYS)
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Coordinating conjunctions join equals to one another:
words to words, phrases to phrases, clauses to clauses.


Coordinating conjunctions usually form looser connections than other conjunctions do.





Coordinating conjunctions go in between items joined, not at the beginning or end.


B.) Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent (subordinate) clause with an independent
clause. They always come at the beginning of dependent clauses. Dependent clauses are
used as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns. The dependent clause can be before or after the
independent clause. This means a subordinating conjunction is at the beginning or middle of
a sentence. These are the most common ones:
after because in order that than when
although before once that whenever
as even if rather than though where
as if even though since unless wherever
as though if so that until while
Examples:
Unless we start now, we will not finish on time.
Because he enjoys traveling, he became the company's sales representative.
The main office is in an old building where the alarms need to be updated.
The clerk was writing an e-mail when her computer failed.
Note: Make sure the subordinating conjunction is placed at the start of the dependent
clause.
Incorrect: After they have to go to work, their vacation ends.
Incorrect: Their vacation ends after they have to go to work.
Correct: After their vacation ends, they have to go back to work.
The subordinating junction after must be before the dependent clause their vacation ends.
They have to go back to work is the independent clause.


C.) Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of coordinating conjunctions that work together. They are
always used as a pair. The words, phrases, or clauses that correlative conjunctions put
together must be the same type: nouns go with other nouns, verbs go with other verbs,
adjectives go with other adjectives, and so on. These are the common ones:
both and neither nor
not but either or
not only but also whether or
as as (example: as well as)


Examples:
1. The report is either on the desk or in the copier room.
(Nouns are the type of word joined.)
2. The delivery was made neither in the morning nor in the afternoon.
(Phrases are the type of word joined.)
Note: Never use neither or and either nor.
3. Their manager doesn't laugh as often as your boss laughs.
(Two clauses are joined.)
4. Both his uncle and his cousin work in forestry.
(Nouns are the type of word joined.)
The presentation was both interesting and educational.
(Adjectives are the type of word joined.)
Note: Do not use as well as with both.
Incorrect: My friend learned both French as well as Japanese in school.
Correct: My friend learned both French and Japanese in school.
5. The boss is not only friendly but also very smart.
(Adjectives are the type of word joined.)
Note 1: Do not use but in place of but also.
Incorrect: Leave behind not only your cellphone but your computer.
Correct: Leave behind not only your cellphone but also your computer.
Note 2: Only not is grammatically wrong.
Incorrect: They will teach only not new skills but also new knowledge.
Correct: They will teach not only new skills but also new knowledge.
6. The company creates not hardware but software.
(Nouns are the type of word joined.)
Note: Do not use only in place of but.
Incorrect: He should have spoken not louder only more slowly.
Correct: He should have spoken not louder but more slowly.