Conjunction

Sam An Teng


Conjunction is a word that connects and shows a relationship between words, phrases, or clauses. For examples, it connects  

• word to word: silver and gold
• phrase to phrase: a new villa or a new house
• clause to clause: Bopha planted a flower, and she watched it grow.

There are four kinds of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. 


Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses of equal rank: noun with noun, adjective with adjective, verb with verb, phrase with phrase, main clause with main clause, and subordinate clause with subordinate clause.

There are 7 coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. One simple way to remember them is to think of the acronym FANBOYS.

FOR – used to show reason; as,

• She didn’t come to class, for she was sick.

AND – used to add additional information; as,

• She worked for the company very long, and she wanted to retire.

NOR – used to show negative idea/meaning; as,

• He is not smart, nor is he industrious.

BUT – used to show contrast; as,

• The teacher is strict, but he explains the lessons clearly.

OR – used to connect to choice; as,

• You can select these courses, or you will do it next semester.

YET – used to connect to exception; as,

• The football team played very well, yet they lost.

SO – used to connect to result; as,

• I didn’t scan the disk, so my computer was infected with Trojan horse.

Correlative Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions such as either/or, neither/nor, and both/and are correlative conjunctions. Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs.

EITHER … OR – we use either … or to talk about a choice between two possibilities (and sometimes more than two); as,

• Either mom or dad will pick you up.
• You can either have tea or coffee.
• You can either come with me or walk home.
• Either you leave this house or I’ll call the police.

NEITHER … NOR (NOT… EITHER) – we use it to mean ‘also not’; as,

• They neither decide to start the project nor to introduce alternatives.
• They neither give foods nor medicine to the victims.
• The book is neither interesting nor accurate.

BOTH … AND – we usually put the same kind of words after both… and; as,

• She is both pretty and clever.
• I talked to both my supervisor and his assistant.
• She both studies and works.

WHETHER … OR – we can use it to mean “it doesn’t matter whether… or…”; as,

• Whether you like it or not, you will have to pay. 
• I do not care whether you go or stay.

NOT ONLY … BUT ALSO – we use to add similar idea; as,  

• Not only is he foolish, but also obstinate.  
• Yesterday it not only rained, but also snowed. 

Subordinating Conjunctions 

Subordinating conjunctions connect dependent clauses with main clauses.

For examples, 

• He comes home early because today is his daughter's birthday.
• I will lend you some money unless you pay me back.
• Whenever I see the pile of reports on my table, I get a headache.
• I've been teaching since I graduated.

The most common subordinating conjunctions are: after, although, as, as if, as long as, as soon as, because, before, but, that, if, in order that, provided that, since, so that, till, until, when, whenever, where, whereas,whether, wherever... 


Conjunctive Adverbs (Adverbial conjunctions)

Adverbial conjunctions are used to connect two independent clauses.

For examples,  

• I am tired; therefore, I want to sleep.
• I tried hard; however, I couldn’t understand.
• My job offers good salary; in addition, it provides good working environment.

Adverbial conjunctions include the following words and phrases: also, consequently, furthermore, hence, however, in fact, moreover, nevertheless, now, on the other hand, otherwise, soon, therefore, similarly, then, thus...