Grammar

Mini-Lesson:
Conjunctions
William Quiros
Los Angeles Pacific University
ENGL 420: Principles of language
Dr. Rankin Gonzalez
April 18, 2022
 - What is a Conjunction?
- Types of Conjunctions
● Coordinate
● Subordinate
● Correlative

Introduction - Common Errors

- Effective ways to Teach Conjunctions
- Reflection
 What is a Conjunction?
● According to Yule (2017) “Conjunction: A word such
as and or because used to make connections between
words, phrases and sentences (p. 91)
● Conjunctions are words that link other words,
phrases, or clauses together.
● Thanks to conjunctions, we don't have to write short,
choppy sentences.
● We can extend our lines with simple words like "and"
Photo Credit : Your Dictionary
or "but" and perhaps a comma or two.
Types of Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions
● Coordinating conjunctions are what come to most people's minds when they hear the word
"conjunction." They join together words, phrases, and independent clauses. With them,
short and choppy sentences can be joined into fuller lines. There are seven of them, and
they're easy to remember if you can just think of the acronym "FANBOYS."

Subordinating Conjunctions
● A subordinating conjunction always introduces a dependent clause, tying it to an
independent clause. A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a
complete sentence. An independent clause, by contrast, can stand alone as a complete
sentence.

Correlative Conjunctions
● Correlative conjunctions are tag-team conjunctions. They come in pairs, and you have to
use both of them in different places in a sentence to make them work. These conjunctions
work together (co-) and relate one sentence to another. Correlative conjunctions connect
two equal grammatical terms. So, if a noun follows "both," then a noun should also follow
"and."
Photo Credit : 7 ESL
 Common Errors
One conjunction for two clauses
In English, we use just one conjunction to connect two clauses.
Incorrect: Because he is intelligent so he gets good marks.
Correct: Because he is intelligent he gets good marks. OR He is intelligent so he gets good marks.
Because is a conjunction and English does not require a second conjunction.
Incorrect: Since he was angry therefore I said nothing.
Correct: Since he was angry I said nothing. OR He was angry; therefore, I said nothing.
Since is a conjunction and it is enough to join the two clauses: He was angry and I said nothing.
Therefore is not a conjunction. It cannot connect two clauses. It is a transitional adverb. A
transitional adverb should be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
Incorrect: He did not come to work. Because he was ill.
Correct: He did not come to work because he was ill.
A subordinate clause cannot stand alone. It must be attached to an independent clause.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
In natural spoken English, because clauses can stand alone.
‘Why are you laughing?’ ‘Because you look funny.’ (More natural than ‘I am laughing because you
Photo Credit : Mistakes with Conjunctions
look funny’.)
Effective ways to Teach Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions

● Make a list of simple sentences (independent clauses) on the board.

● Reference FANBOYS in a whole-class discussion. Starting with for, see if students can add independent clauses to the simple sentences
with coordinating conjunctions.
● Have small groups, pairs or independent students try the rest of the sentences along with the conjunctions. See how many different
compound sentences the class can create!
Subordinating Conjunctions

● Write or project ten simple sentences on the board.

● Start with one subordinating conjunction (for example, because). Have every student write a new subordinate clause that connects to the
independent clauses with because. See how varied the answers are!
● Keep going with more conjunctions to reinforce the concept.
● An alternative approach is to split the class into pairs or small groups and assign certain subordinating conjunctions to them. How does
the sentence change in the if group? Is it different than in the unless group?
Correlative Conjunctions

● Correlative conjunctions are tag-team conjunctions. They come in pairs, and you have to use both of them in different places in a sentence to
make them work. These conjunctions work together (co-) and relate one sentence to another. Correlative conjunctions connect two equal
grammatical terms. So, if a noun follows "both," then a noun should also follow "and."

● A great way to practice these pairs is to flip through these correlative conjunctions flashcards until you feel like you’re a pro!
Reflections
Learning grammar is absolutely critical in English language acquisition. According to an article from
teaching English games “Grammar is the backbone of any language, and without it, your meaning is
often lost. In English, grammar provides the structure to organise and put your message across.” (para.
2). Grammar is necessary to be able to communicate well with people. We must pay attention as
educators to take the time to build the basic initial foundations of the words and groups of words
(phrases) go together to create sentences. As mentioned in grammar in early childhood the Mastery of
English language acquisition, a student must develop the contents of a vocabulary and find the
meaning of each individual word to be able to create conversation, social skills and be able to have
narrative skills. Additionally the author mentions “ Educators and parents play a vital role in modelling
the use of more complex language. Educators can foster the development of grammar in the following
ways (explored further below): responding to and expanding on children's language attempts,
modelling increasingly complex language, talking explicitly about words, phrases, and sentences. (para.
6). These are the building blocks for a child to develop proper grammar.
Work Cited / Resources
Conjunctions. (2016). Retrieved 18 April 2022, from https://www.grammarly.com/blog/conjunctions/

Grammar in early childhood . (2022). Retrieved 18 April 2022, from

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/professionals/learning/ecliteracy/interactingwithothers/Pages/
Grammar.aspx

Is Grammar important for language learners? – Teaching English Games. (2016). Retrieved 18 April 2022,
from https://teachingenglishgames.com/grammar-really-important-second-language-learners/

Lessons, D., Rules, G., Exercises, O., Tools, O., Checker, G., & Counter, W. (2013). Common mistakes with
conjunctions. Retrieved 18 April 2022, from
https://www.englishgrammar.org/common-mistakes-conjunctions-3/

What Is a Conjunction?. (2022). Retrieved 18 April 2022, from

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/conjunctions/what-is-a-conjunction.html

Yule, G. (2017). The study of language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.