In grammar, a conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses that are called the conjuncts of the conjunctions. The term discourse marker is mostly used for conjunctions joining sentences
Conjunctions are little words like and, but,and or. used to connect concepts, clauses, or parts of sentences.From the grammatical point of view, some sentences are asked in the exam regarding conjunctions.
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List Of Conjunctions
1..Co-Ordinating Conjunctions
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
2...Correlative Conjunctions
both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but, whether/or
3...Some Subordinating Conjunctions
after, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, by the time, even if, even though, if, in order that, in case, in the event that, inasmuch, just in case, lest , now that, once, only, only if, provided that, since, so, supposing, that, than, that, though, till (or ‘til), unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether or not, while
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Uses of Conjunctions
Conjunctions connect thoughts, ideas, actions, nouns, clauses, etc.
Vinod went to the market andbought fresh vegetables.
In this sentence, the conjunction and connects the two things Vinod did.
Vinod went to the market, and I went to the hardware store.
Here, and connects two sentences, preventing the choppiness which would arise if we used too many short sentences.
Conjunctions can also make lists.
She can’t decide between the blue shirt and the red shirt.
When using a conjunction, make sure that the parts which are being joined by the conjunction have a parallel structure (i.e. that they use the same verb forms, etc.)
Tejas Gaikwad worked quickly yet is careful.
is careful is not in the same form as quickly; this creates faulty parallelism. The verbs need to be in the same form.
Tejas Gaikwad worked quickly yet carefully.
The two adverbs modify the verb worked.
I am quick yet careful.
The two adjectives modify the pronoun I.
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Coordinating Conjunctions
The coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join two independent clauses, or two nouns, or two verbs, etc. You can remember the coordinating conjunctions with the acronym FANBOYS.
For ,And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Run and hide!
The coordinating conjunction connects the two verbs.
I didn’t have much money, but I was happy.
Here are two contrasting states of being: not having much money, and being happy.
We didn’t have much money or much food.
I had chocolate cake, and Michael had carrot cake.
Note the commas before the coordinating conjunctions which separate two independent clauses.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Some examples are either/or, neither/nor and not only/but.
Not only am I finished studying for English, but I’m also finished my Physics.
I am finished both my English essay and my history essay.
Make sure that you use both conjunctions when writing. Sometimes when we speak, we get a little lazy; don’t leave a clause unfinished or else you’ll have a problem with faulty parallelism.
You could use either.
This is alright for conversation because you’ll have something in front of you to point to, giving you a visual clue.
You could use either the spoon.
This is an unfinished sentence; there is a problem with faulty parallelism here.
You could use either the spoon or the fork.
This sentence is perfect because it lists both things to be used.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions show a relationship between an independent and a dependent clause; some of the relationships can be cause-and-effect, and contrast. Some examples of subordinating conjunctions are because, since, as, although, though, while,and whereas.
She can stay out until the clock strikes twelve.
Here, the subordinating conjunction is connecting the two ideas: She can stay out and the clock strikes twelve.
Mother can leave the house as long as she has cleaned his room.
The teacher said that he was amazingly creative.
The subordinating conjunction doesn’t need to go in the middle of the sentence. It must be part of the dependent clause, but it doesn’t matter whether the clause is the first or second on in the sentence.
Before he leaves, make sure his room is clean.
If the dependent clause comes first, you’ll need a comma; if the independent clause comes first, you probably won’t need a comma.
Reema drank a glass of water because she was thirsty.
Because she was thirsty, she drank a glass of water.
When she asked why I wanted a glass of water, I could only answer “Because”, because I was so thirsty.
I’ve used a comma in this sentence only to separate the repeated because; this makes it clearer to the reader.
Compiled By- Prof. D.S.Rathod
(Moderator)
