CONJUNCTIONS

Conjunctions are words that connect words or groups of word.

Coordinating conjunctions link words to other words of the same kind. For example,
coordinating conjunction can connect a noun to another noun. It can also join similar groups of words,
such as one verb phrase to another verb phrase or even one sentence to another sentence. The six
coordinating conjunctions are and, or, but, for, nor, and yet.
We’ll bring hamburgers and hot dogs to the picnic. (connects nouns)
The tourists were tired but happy at the end of the trip. (connects adjectives)
You can stay in or camp out. (connects verb phrases).
We will have to share expenses, for the trip will be expensive. (connects sentences)

Although the six coordinating conjunctions work the same way, they each express different
relationships among the words they join. The conjunction and joins words in the sense of “adding to”; or
provides alternatives; but contrasts; for provides a reason; nor is a negative conjunction that is always
preceded by a negative word; and yet provides contrast.
Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs. Like coordinating conjunctions, they connect
words and groups of words of the same kind. The correlative conjunctions are both … and, either …
either, neither… nor, not only… but also, and whether … or.
Both Sandra and Mark won scholarships.
I will bring either cookies or cake to the bake sale.
Neither tennis nor bowling appeals to me.
Felicia not only changed the oil but also cleaned the sparkplugs.

Correlative conjunctions are placed as close as possible to the words they connect.
A subordinating conjunction introduces a group of words containing a noun plus a verb and
links it to the rest of the sentence. The subordinating conjunction clarifies the relationship between the
two parts of the sentence.
Carlos entered the competition because Jason did.
Carlos entered the competition after Jason did.
The following words are commonly used as subordinating conjunctions, although they may also
be used in other ways in sentences.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

after before till
although even though unless
as if until
as if in order that when
as long as provided that whenever
as much as since where
as soon as so that whereas
as though than wherever
because though while
Exercise 1
Number your paper from 1 to 10. Copy the italicized conjunctions from the following sentences. Identify
each as a coordinating, correlative, or subordinating conjunction.
1. If you have ever used a bow and arrow, it was probably for recreation at a summer camp or in gym
class.
2. The bow, however, was once a powerful and respected weapon, used for both hunting and warfare.
3. Firearms were not used extensively until the late Middle Ages, and by that time, the bow had
already been responsible for many victories.
4. The bow has affected not only military history, but also the history of language.
5. Many English words and phrases come to us either from the bow and arrow themselves or from
their customary use.
6. Before you can use a bow, for example, you must ‘brace’ it, or bend the bow and stretch the
bowstring between its ends.
7. From this process, we have not only the phrase ‘to brace yourself’ but also adjective ‘high-strung,’
which describes a nervous or tense person.
8. A special kind of bow, called a crossbow, fired an arrow called a ‘bolt,’ which has given its name to
such things as a bolt of lightning, a bolt of cloth, and a rifle bolt.
9. Because the bolt was straight, we now say that someone is ‘bolt upright’ to describe a straight-
backed position.
10. The bolt also flew very fast, and say that someone or something ‘bolts’ when moving suddenly.

Exercise 2
Use the following conjunctions in four sentences of your own.
1. and 2. but 3. whether … or 4. because