Conjunctions

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As their name implies, conjunctions join together elements of thought: words, phrases, sentences, and even paragraphs.

Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest kind, and they denote equality of relationship between the ideas they join. That is, the joined words or phrases have the same (equal) impportance. Coordinating conjunctions are sometimes called the fanboys because that is an old acronym for them, used to help memorize them:

  • For
  • And
  • Nor
  • But
  • Or
  • Yet
  • So

Examples:

  • Popcorn and peanuts are our favorite snacks. (The two subjects, popcorn and peanuts are of equal emphasis or importance.)
  • The plumber dug a trench and buried the water pipe. (The two verbs, dug an buried, have equal importance.)
  • The concert continued, but Jane and Fred decided to leave. (Two sentences of equal emphasis joined by but.)

Their relatives, correlative conjunctions, not only denote equality, but they also make the joining tighter and more emphatic.

Coordinating Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet
both . . . and
not only . . . but also
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
whether . . . or
just as . . . so too

Examples:

  • Just as the smell of baking brought back memories, so too did the taste of the cider.
  • The crew not only installed the cabinet, but they also painted the shelves.
  • Neither the teller nor the bank manager could locate the  account number.

Coordinating and correlative conjunctions are great when two ideas are of the same importance, but many times one idea is more important than another. Subordinating conjunctions allow a writer to show which idea is more and which is less important. The idea in the main clause is the more important, while the idea in the subordinate clause (made subordinate by the subordinating conjunction) is less important. The subordinate clause supplies a time, reason, condition, and so on for the main clause.

Subordinating Conjunctions
Time
Reason
Concession
Place
Condition
Manner
after
before
since
when
whenever
while
until
as
as . . . as
once
because
since
so that
in order that
why
although
though
even though
while
where
wherever
if
unless
until
in case
provided that
assuming that
even if
as if
as though
how

Examples:

  • Sally steamed the corn while Fred fried the steaks.
  • After the rain stopped, the dog ran into the mud to play.
  • The snowman melted because the sun came out.
  • Even though John fell asleep, the telephone salesman kept talking.

 



Conjunctive adverbs make up an even stronger category of conjunctions. They show logical relationships between two independent sentences, between sections of paragraphs, or between entire paragraphs. Conjunctive adverbs are so emphatic that they should be used sparingly; however, when used appropriately, they can be quite effective.

Conjunctive Adverbs
also
hence
however
still
likewise
otherwise
therefore
conversely
rather
consequently
furthermore
nevertheless
instead
moreover
then
thus
meanwhile
accordingly

Examples:

  • If the salmon is grilled, I will have that; otherwise, I might have the chicken.
  • James has a garage full of wood working tools. He might, however, have some metric wrenches, too.
  • I do not recommend that you play with a stick of dynamite lit at both ends. Rather, a ham sandwich would be better for you.

Relative pronouns and relative adjectives are also used to join ideas together by creating adjective or noun clauses, which allow a writer to create smoother, more flowing and effective sentences by combining ideas.

Relative Pronouns and Relative Adjectives
who
whom
whose
whoever
whomever
which
that
what
whichever
whatever

Examples:

  • This is the man who sells peanuts.
  • Tell me what you want.
  • Hers is an idea that I would like to think through.
  • The shirts, which are in the laundry, will need ironing.

 



Adverbs of time, place, and sequence are actually transitions of logic, but as such they also have conjunctive force, because they connect ideas by showing a time relationship.

Adverbs of Time, Place, and Sequence
earlier
next
lastly
later
before
after
then
now
soon
here
there
today
first
second
third
fourth
eventually
tomorrow

Examples:

  • The twilight glides away. Soon night will awake.
  • First, get a pad and pencil. Next, find a quiet place to think.

Sentential Adverbs are closely related to conjunctive adverbs. The “official” line on these words is that they convey no meaning of their own but instead serve only to emphasize the statement to which they are attached. As such, then, they technically do not show a logical relationship like time or cause between ideas, and that fact prevents them from being true-blue conjunctive adverbs. But it could be argued that sentential adverbs create a relationship of emphasis between ideas: this new idea is important in light of what preceded it. Indeed, that is why they are included here.

Sentential Adverbs
of course
indeed
naturally
after all
in short
I hope
at least
remarkably
in fact
I think
it seems
in brief
clearly
I suppose
assuredly
definitely
to be sure
without doubt
for all that
on the whole
in any event
importantly
certainly
naturally

Examples:

  • The flashlight hit the floor and broke into a hundred pieces. At least there was a candle in the room.
  • They all began to use appropriate sentential adverbs in their writing. They were convinced, I suppose, by the excellent examples.
  • The conjunction list has left the building. On the whole, I hope you enjoyed it.