What are conjunctions?
Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. They act as glue, holding different parts of a sentence together.
Types of Conjunctions
Here are the main categories:
1. Coordinating Conjunctions: These connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. They are easy to remember with the acronym FANBOYS:
* For
* And
* Nor
* But
* Or
* Yet
* So
Example:
* *The cat sat on the mat, and the dog watched.* (Connects two clauses)
2. Subordinating Conjunctions: These connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.
* Common examples:
* after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, while
Example:
* *We stayed inside because it was raining.* (Connects a dependent clause "because it was raining" to an independent clause "We stayed inside")
3. Correlative Conjunctions: These come in pairs and connect elements of equal grammatical rank.
* Common examples:
* both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, whether...or
Example:
* *Not only did she sing, but also she danced.* (Connects two phrases)
Using Conjunctions Effectively:
* Clarity: Conjunctions improve the flow and readability of your writing.
* Meaning: They help to express relationships between ideas (cause and effect, contrast, addition, etc.).
Let me know if you'd like to practice using conjunctions in sentences!