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Conjunctions
Robert Harris
Version Date: December 23, 2009
Previous: December 10, 1997
As their name implies, conjunctions join together elements of
thought: words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.
Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest
kind, and they denote equality of relationship between the ideas they
join. Coordinating conjunctions are sometimes called the fanboys
because that is an acronym for them:
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
Their relatives,
correlative conjunctions, not only denote equality,
but they also make the joining tighter and more emphatic.
|
Coordinating
Conjunctions
|
Correlative
Conjunctions
|
and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet
|
both . . . and
not only . . . but also
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
whether . . . or
just as . . . so too
|
Examples:
- John and Sally built a fish pond.
- The train was late, and Tom was tired.
- Just as the smell of baking brought back memories, so too
did the taste of the cider.
Coordinating and correlative conjunctions are great when two ideas are
of the same importance, but many times one idea is more important than
another. Subordinating conjunctions
allow a writer to show which idea is more and which is less important.
The idea in the main clause is the more important, while the idea in
the subordinate clause (made subordinate by the subordinating
conjunction) is less important. The subordinate clause supplies a time,
reason, condition, and so on for the main clause.
|
Subordinating
Conjunctions
|
|
Time
|
Reason
|
Concession
|
Place
|
Condition
|
Manner
|
after
before
since
when
whenever
while
until
as
as . . . as
once
|
because
since
so that
in order that
why
|
although
though
even though
while
|
where
wherever
|
if
unless
until
in case
provided that
assuming that
even if
|
as if
as though
how
|
Examples:
- Sally steamed the corn while Fred fried the steaks.
- After the rain stopped, the dog ran into the mud to play.
- The snowman melted because the sun came out.
- Even though John fell asleep, the telephone salesman kept
talking.
Conjunctive adverbs make up an even stronger
category of conjunctions. They show logical relationships between two
independent sentences, between sections of paragraphs, or between
entire paragraphs. Conjunctive adverbs are so emphatic that they should
be used sparingly; however, when used appropriately, they can be quite
effective.
|
Conjunctive
Adverbs
|
also
hence
however
still
likewise
otherwise
therefore
conversely
rather
|
consequently
furthermore
nevertheless
instead
moreover
then
thus
meanwhile
accordingly
|
Examples:
- If the salmon is grilled, I will have that; otherwise, I
might have the chicken.
- James has a garage full of wood working tools. He might,
however, have some metric wrenches, too.
- I do not recommend that you play with a stick of dynamite
lit at both ends. Rather, a ham sandwich would be better for you.
Relative pronouns and relative adjectives
are also used to join ideas together by creating adjective or noun
clauses, which allow a writer to create smoother, more flowing and
effective sentences by combining ideas.
|
Relative
Pronouns and Relative Adjectives
|
who
whom
whose
whoever
whomever
|
which
that
what
whichever
whatever
|
Examples:
- This is the man who sells peanuts.
- Tell me what you want.
- Hers is an idea that I would like to think through.
- The shirts, which are in the laundry, will need ironing.
Adverbs of time, place, and sequence are actually
transitions of logic, but as such they also have conjunctive force,
because they connect ideas by showing a time relationship.
|
Adverbs of
Time, Place, and Sequence
|
earlier
next
lastly
later
before
after
|
then
now
soon
here
there
today
|
first
second
third
fourth
eventually
tomorrow
|
Examples:
- The twilight glides away. Soon night will awake.
- First, get a pad and pencil. Next, find a quiet place to
think.
Sentential Adverbs are closely related to conjunctive
adverbs. The "official" line on these words is that they convey no
meaning of their own but instead serve only to emphasize the statement
to which they are attached. As such, then, they technically do not show
a logical relationship like time or cause between ideas, and that fact
prevents them from being true-blue conjunctive adverbs. But it could be
argued that sentential adverbs create a relationship of emphasis between ideas:
this new idea is important in light of what preceded it. Indeed, that
is why they are included here.
|
Sentential Adverbs
|
of course
indeed
naturally
after all
in short
I hope
at least
remarkably
|
in fact
I think
it seems
in brief
clearly
I suppose
assuredly
definitely
|
to be sure
without doubt
for all that
on the whole
in any event
importantly
certainly
naturally
|
Examples:
- The flashlight hit the floor and broke into a hundred
pieces. At least there was a candle in the room.
- They all began to use appropriate sentential adverbs in their
writing. They were convinced, I suppose, by the excellent examples.
- The conjunction list has left the building. On the whole,
I hope you enjoyed it.
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author:
Robert
Harris is a writer and educator with more than 25 years of
teaching experience at the college and university level. RHarris at
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