grammatical categories

1.6. conjunctions

A conjunction connects words or group of words . There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions , correlative conjunctions , and subordinating conjunctions.

A coordinating conjunction is a single connecting word. These seven words are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

The boys and girls worked at the fair. ( And joins the names boys and girls. )

Paula or Jeannine can go with you tonight. ( Or joins the names Paula and Jeannine. )

I would like to help you, but I will be busy tonight. ( But joins two sentences or complete ideas.)

We must leave early so we can get to the wedding reception on time. ( So joins two sentences or two complete ideas.)

Remember the made-up word FANBOYS when you memorize the coordinating conjunctions.

Each letter in this word ( For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) stands for a coordinating conjunction.

 

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of connecting words. These fi ve pairs of words are both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, and whether/or.

 

Both Henry and Henrietta are leaving the dance now. (The correlative conjunctions join two names.)

Not only will they leave now, but they will also not be here to help clean up. (The correlative conjunctions join two sentences or complete ideas.)

Either go with them or stay here and help. (The correlative conjunctions illustrate a choice.)

He went neither to the stadium nor to the concert hall during this vacation. (The correlative conjunctions join two prepositional phrases.)

 

WRITING TIP Using conjunctions adds sophistication to sentences. Rather than using two very simple sentences such as, “The monkey climbed the tree,” and “The monkey threw down a banana,” combine them by using the conjunction and: “The monkey climbed the tree and threw down a banana” is a more sophisticated sentence. Make good use of the conjunctions for combining ideas.

1.7A Appropriately Chosen! (Conjunctions)

Circle the conjunction or pair of conjunctions in each sentence:

1. Lyle chose both steak and salad for his dinner.

2. I chose neither steak nor salad for my dinner.

3. Either you or he can drive Dad to the train station tomorrow morning.

4. The panda wanted to eat, for he was hungry.

5. Peanut butter and jelly is Rex’s favorite sandwich.

6. Not only the girls but also the boys will be invited to the assembly.

7. Sara did not know whether to swing at the ball or take the pitch.

8. Mark would like to go, but he cannot.

9. Rich likes the food at this restaurant, yet he seldom eats here.

10. Run with him or her.

Use these coordinating and correlative conjunctions in your own sentences:

11. Use neither . . . nor:

12. Use but:

13. Use for:

14. Use or:

15. Use either . . . or: