Conjunctions- English conjunctions for practice

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1. Conjunctions Nandita Sen

2. Clauses Definition: A group of related words with a subject and a predicate. Independent clause Has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. Dependent clause Has a subject and verb but DOES NOT express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Example: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

3. What’s a Conjunction? A conjunction is a part of speech that links words, phrases and clauses. They are used to connect ideas.

4. Types of Conjunctions Conjunctive adverbs

5. 1. Coordinating conjunctions They link equivalent grammatical elements, such as nouns with nouns, and clauses with clauses. The ideas being connected carry the same weight in a sentence. I stayed up all night writing,  so  I was tired the next day She’s editing  and  proofreading my essay .

6. Coordinating conjunctions list U se the mnemonic “ fanboys ” to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions. For And Nor But Or Yet S o

7. Comma rule When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses (complete thoughts or sentences), use a comma between the clauses. I forgot to bring my wallet , so  I need to make the payment using my card. It was early , yet we were all ready for bed after our long hike. When you’re joining an independent clause with a sentence fragment, you don’t need a comma . I prefer to write on my laptop  but  edit on paper. N.B.: In the above sentence, ‘but edit on paper’ is a sentence fragment and is a part of the main clause.

8. 2. Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions work in pairs (example: either/or, both/and, not only/but also, as/as) Similar to coordinating conjunctions, they link grammatical elements of similar importance. Example: I   not only  passed the exam,   but   also  got 100%. The box is  as  tall  as  it is wide.

9. Parallel construction Correlative conjunctions need parallel construction. Check the words after each conjunction and make sure they’re similarly structured. Correct :  We should either book the tickets in advance or arrive an hour early.  (In this example, the phrase “book the tickets” is parallel to “arrive an hour early”) Incorrect :  We should either book the tickets in advance or be arriving an hour early.  (In this example, the phrase “book the tickets” is not parallel to “be arriving”)

10. Correlative conjunctions list either/or neither/nor not only/but also as/as both/and whether/or s uch/that r ather/than

11. Usage of correlative conjunctions 1.  Both/and : Using “both” and “and” implies a correlation between two subjects that are performing the same action. An example of using these correlative conjunctions is: “We’ll both be leaving the party and taking one car.” 2.  Either/or : Using “either” and “or” connects two positive statements of equal weight. For example, you could say: “My brother is either working upstairs or slacking off downstairs.” 3.  Neither/nor : “Neither/nor” connects two negative statements of equal weight. For example, you could say: “I will neither watch the show nor read the book.”

12. Cont … 4.  Whether/or : “Whether/or” connects two possible actions of a subject. For example, you could say: “I was not sure whether you would show up or not.” 5.  Not only/but also : “I’m not only hungry but also tired.” 6.  Rather/than : “Rather/than” presents a subject’s preference for one thing over another. For example, you could say: “I would rather have coffee than tea.” 7.  Such/that : “Such/that” connects two independent clauses in a way that applies a reason for an action. For example, you could say: “Such is the pain of my headache that I cannot get out of bed.”

13. Comma rule Do not separate a pair using a comma. Incorrect: Either the blue shirt, or the red sweater will look good with your jeans. Correct: Either the blue shirt or the red sweater will look good with your jeans. Incorrect: I can’t decide whether to have pizza, or a cheeseburger. Correct: I can’t decide whether to have  a pizza  or a cheeseburger . If commas are necessary to offset a nonrestrictive clause, then they may be used between the correlative pairs of conjunctions. Consider the example below : Example: Neither the job as a cashier, which paid only minimum wage , nor the washroom attendant’s job interested the woman with two PhDs.

14. Commas may also separate correlative conjunction pairs when the comma separates two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction. This is common with the correlative conjunction “not only . . . but also.” Look at the sentence below: Example: Not only did Jeff need a textbook, but he also needed a laptop for his college class.

15. 3. Subordinating conjunction Subordinating conjunctions are one or more words that unite ideas in a complex sentence (example: as soon as, in case, unless, while). They link dependent clauses (incomplete thoughts) to independent clauses (complete thoughts ). The subordinating conjunction is placed in front of the dependent clause. Example: Unless  we give him a ride, he won’t be able to come. Here’s some cash  in case  your credit card doesn’t work.

16. List of Subordinating conjunctions because before by the time even if even though if in case in order that after although as as if as long as as much as as soon as as though in the event that lest now that once only only if provided that since so supposing than that though till unless until when whenever where whereas wherever whether or not while

17. Comma rule Use a comma if the subordinating conjunction and dependent clause are at the beginning of a sentence. Otherwise, the comma isn’t required. Example: As soon  as she’s finished her phone call, we’ll leave for the restaurant. We’ll leave for the restaurant  as soon  as she’s finished her phone call . While I washed my clothes, my brother cleaned the kitchen. My brother cleaned the kitchen while I washed my clothes.

18. While When you contrast two things, use a comma. Example: The price of fish fell by 5% in June , while it increased dramatically to 50% in July. When you use while for talking about two actions/events taking place at the same time, DO NOT use a common. Example: The secretary managed all my appointments and meetings  while  I was in the hospital. I’ll make breakfast  while  you take a shower .

19. Whereas Whereas can be used interchangeably with ‘while’ to show contrast: Example: A triangle has three sides,  whereas/while a square has four . Unlike other conjunctions, such as “but” and “and”, the word “whereas” always introduces independent clauses. Example: I am extremely tall , whereas my brother is short . The north is known for its mild, wet climate , whereas the south is known for its relatively hotter, dryer climate . Whereas can be used in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence. Example: Whereas  the UK has mild winters, Sweden’s winters are usually very cold . OR The UK has mild winters , whereas Sweden’s winters are usually very cold.

20. On the other hand The phrase “on the other hand” and “whereas” have identical functions. However, there is a minor, yet significant difference in the ways they are used. Example: American football is the most popular sport in the U.S ., whereas ice hockey reigns supreme in neighboring country Canada. American football is the most popular sport in the U.S. In neighbouring country Canada, on the other hand, ice hockey reigns supreme. Note: While “whereas” can seamlessly blend into a sentence. The phrase “on the other hand” requires a sentence of its own. Here is another pair of sentences proving the point: Example: I like to live in the countryside, whereas my husband prefers the city. I like to live in the countryside. My husband, on the other hand, likes it in the city . The phrase “on the other hand” can also be used to start a sentence. For example, the above sentence could also be written as: Example: I like to live in the countryside. On the other hand, my husband likes it in the city.

21. Although “ Although” has two meanings. When it is used to provide supplementary information that partly negates what has been said previously (in which case it can basically be replaced by “but”), you should use a comma: Example: It was hard, although it was not as hard as we had thought . “ A lthough ” can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a fact that makes the rest of the sentence somewhat surprising. Example: Although he is a mathematician, he doesn’t know how to solve integrals . Note: The comma was used here because a subordinate clause that  precedes  the main clause is always followed by a comma, no matter how essential it is. It is possible (but very uncommon) to write such a subordinate clause  after  the main clause, in which case it makes sense to omit the comma: Example: He doesn’t know how to solve integrals although he is a mathematician.

22. Though Use a comma if ‘though’ and the dependent clause is at the beginning of a sentence. Otherwise, the comma isn’t required . Example: Though he studied hard, he failed. He failed though he studied hard. Example 2: Though the odds were stacked against him, Sherif managed to get the job in the end . Sherif managed to get the job in the end though the odds were stacked against him.

23. Conjunctive adverbs Conjunctive adverbs are one or more words used to join two independent clauses (example: after all, besides, nevertheless). These words are technically adverbs, but perform the same linking function as conjunctions . Example: The dessert is so tempting; however, I’m trying to eat less sugar. We’re happy to pay for your expenses; after all, you’re doing us a favor .

24. 4. Conjunction adverb list after all besides consequently finally however nevertheless then t herefore m oreover a s a result i n fact s ubsequently a ccordingly a lso anyway b esides c ertainly f urthermore h ence i ncidentally i ndeed i nstead l ikewise o therwise m eanwhile n amely n ext n onetheless n ow s imilarly s till thereafter thus u ndoubtedly n otably i nterestingly i n comparison b y contrast i n contrast/contrarily i n addition a dditionally

25. Comma rule When a conjunctive adverb unites two independent clauses in one sentence, it’s preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. i ). Contrast: John refused to apply for the job ; HOWEVER, he pretended to look for one. ii). Cause and Effect: John refused to apply for the job; AS A RESULT, his financial situation worsened . John should apply for the job; OTHERWISE, his financial situation will worsen. iii). Addition: John refused to apply for the job; MOREOVER, he wouldn't even discuss why. She always meets her deadlines; FURTHERMORE, her work is good. Exception: We do not use a comma with the conjunctive adverb "then" regardless of whether "then" starts a sentence or joins two independent clauses. Look at the following examples. --We checked the ledger thoroughly. Then we mailed the invoices. --We checked the ledger thoroughly; then we mailed the invoices .

26. Comma rule When a conjunctive adverb (e.g., however, hence, indeed, furthermore) is used to introduce a sentence, follow it with a comma . Example: However , the model is not always accurate . Furthermore , they claim that any such interference is completely ineffective.

27. Following are some examples of conjunctive adverbs providing mutual support or dependency of various kinds. i ). Chronological (time) support: John refused to apply for the job. SUBSEQUENTLY, he regretted his decision. ii). Summation Support: John refused to apply for the job. IN A WORD, he lived to regret his decision. ii). Explanation (reasons) support: John refused to apply for the job. INDEED, he said it was not suitable to his talents.