CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are words that join two or more words, phrases or clauses. There are coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. They are connector words.
Words: Red, white and blue
Phrases: the blue one and the white one
Clauses: The sentence begins with a capital and it ends with a period.
Words: Red, white and blue
Phrases: the blue one and the white one
Clauses: The sentence begins with a capital and it ends with a period.
Coordinating Conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction connects independent clauses in a compound sentence. It fixes run-on sentences and combines two short sentences. When joining two independent clauses, a comma comes before the coordinating conjunction.
Examples of coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
For
e.g. I glued and hammered the wood joints, for the chair was coming apart.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. I glued and hammered the wood joints. The chair was coming apart. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
And
e.g. Sarah went to her classroom, and Jeremy visited the principal's office.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Sarah went to her classroom. Jeremy visited the principal's office. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Nor
e.g. Neither of the students finished the homework, nor did they complete their projects.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Neither of the students finished the homework. They did not complete their projects. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
But
e.g. Emily arrived early for her job, but Aaron was late.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Emily arrived early for her job. Aaron was late. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Or
e.g. The decision will be made today, or the bid will expire.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. The decision will be made today. The bid will expire. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Yet
e.g. The work will be completed on time, yet there will be overtime required of the workers.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. The work will be completed on time. There will be overtime required of the workers. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
So
e.g. Everyone wanted to attend the party, so they hired a limo to drive them.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Everyone wanted to attend the party. They hired a limo to drive them. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Examples of coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
For
e.g. I glued and hammered the wood joints, for the chair was coming apart.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. I glued and hammered the wood joints. The chair was coming apart. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
And
e.g. Sarah went to her classroom, and Jeremy visited the principal's office.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Sarah went to her classroom. Jeremy visited the principal's office. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Nor
e.g. Neither of the students finished the homework, nor did they complete their projects.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Neither of the students finished the homework. They did not complete their projects. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
But
e.g. Emily arrived early for her job, but Aaron was late.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Emily arrived early for her job. Aaron was late. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Or
e.g. The decision will be made today, or the bid will expire.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. The decision will be made today. The bid will expire. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Yet
e.g. The work will be completed on time, yet there will be overtime required of the workers.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. The work will be completed on time. There will be overtime required of the workers. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
So
e.g. Everyone wanted to attend the party, so they hired a limo to drive them.
This compound sentence is made from combining two independent clauses or sentences into one compound sentence. Everyone wanted to attend the party. They hired a limo to drive them. A comma comes at the end of the first independent clause and before the coordinating conjunction.
Subordinating Conjunctions
The following are subordinating conjunctions. They introduce clauses that depend on other clauses to make sense.
If you begin with the coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the next clause.
after You may go to the movies after you finish your homework.
After you finish your homework, you may go to the movies.
although Tim made the decision to attend college in the spring, although he sent applications in the fall.
Although he sent applications in the fall, Tim made the decision to attend college in the spring.
as
as if
because Lisa decided to buy the blue dress because she loves the color blue. Because she loves the color blue, Lisa decided to buy the blue dress.
before
even if
even though
if
if only
rather
than
since
that
though
unless
until
when
where
whereas
wherever
whether
which
while
If you begin with the coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the next clause.
after You may go to the movies after you finish your homework.
After you finish your homework, you may go to the movies.
although Tim made the decision to attend college in the spring, although he sent applications in the fall.
Although he sent applications in the fall, Tim made the decision to attend college in the spring.
as
as if
because Lisa decided to buy the blue dress because she loves the color blue. Because she loves the color blue, Lisa decided to buy the blue dress.
before
even if
even though
if
if only
rather
than
since
that
though
unless
until
when
where
whereas
wherever
whether
which
while
Exercises
The conjunctions “and,” “or,” and “but” are coordinating conjunctions. They connect or join two words, phrases or independent clauses.
An independent clause is able to stand alone like a sentence. Compound sentences are formed when two or more independent clauses are connected with a conjunction.
For example: Combine the two short sentences into a compound sentence:
Use the coordinating conjunction AND:
John went to the store. Elizabeth went to the park.
Answer: John went to the store and Elizabeth went to the park.
Use the coordinating conjunction OR:
Will Emily get the part? Will Andrew get the part?
Answer: Will Emily get the part or will Andrew get the part?
Use the coordinating conjunction BUT:
Morris believes in ghosts. Sandy is not sure.
Answer: Morris believes in ghosts but Sandy is not sure.
“Because” is a subordinating conjunction. A subordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses to make a complex sentence.
Combine the two sentences into one complex sentence using the subordinating conjunction, Because:
Lisa decided to buy the blue dress. She loves the color blue.
Answer: Lisa decided to buy the blue dress because she loves the color blue.