Using Conjunctions

Definition of conjunctions
Conjunctions are one of the eight parts of speech in the English language. They link or join words, phrases and clauses. There are three kinds of conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions (first kind of conjunctions)
A few common coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, so, yet.

Using and
to join the subjects of sentences
My brother is going to the national zoo tomorrow.
His friends are also going to the national zoo tomorrow.
My brother and his friends are going to the national zoo tomorrow.

to join the objects of sentences
Sharon likes cookies. Sharon also likes cakes.
Sharon likes cookies and cakes.

to join phrases in sentences
We don't know where she lives. We also don't know what her name is.
We don't know where she lives and what her name is.

to join two different actions that happen one after another
The clerk unlocked the letterbox. The clerk took out all the letters.
The clerk unlocked the letterbox and took out all the letters.
I opened the door. I saw the morning paper on the doorstep.
I opened the door and saw the morning paper on the doorstep.

to join "that" clauses in sentences, especially sentences used in formal/business letter-writing
We regret to say that the prices you quoted are too high.
We regret to say that we are unable to accept your proposal.
We regret to say that the prices you quoted are too high and that we are unable to accept your proposal.

Using but
to join words, phrases or sentences which have opposite meanings
Henry talks a lot. He does nothing.
Henry talks a lot but does nothing.

Peter is tall and thin. His assistant is short and stout.
Peter is tall and thin but his assistant is short and stout.

Sandra is good at English. She is poor at Geography.
Sandra is good at English but poor at Geography.

to join phrases which indicate two different actions or conflicting ideas
Mr Hardy promised to attend the meeting. He never turned up.
Mr Hardy promised to attend the meeting but he never turned up.

Mr Smith was getting very angry. He did not scold any of his staff.
Mr Smith was getting very angry but he did not scold any of his staff.

Our customers just viewed the new products. They did not place an order.
Our customers just viewed the new products but they did not place an order.

We called Mr Peterson several times. Nobody answered the phone.
We called Mr Peterson several times but nobody answered the phone.

He thought we didn't know he was lying. We knew.
He thought we didn't know he was lying but we knew.

Using or
to link the objects of sentences
Do you prefer tea or coffee?

to link words which indicate options
You can attend the class on Wednesday or Thursday.

to link phrases which indicate options
You can write the answers in complete sentences or give brief answers.
Nancy can stay back after 5 pm today or get the job done tomorrow.
You can take the job or leave it.

Using so
to link phrases which indicate results
Laura was very tired, so she went to bed early.
Most of the students were shivering, so the lecturer switched off one of the air-conditioners.

Using yet
to link phrases which indicate conflicting ideas
Paul is rather good at History, yet his favorite subject is Mathematics.
(It means if Paul is good at History, his favorite subject should be History, but no, his favorite subject is Mathematics.)

The personnel officer has always advised all the staff not to be late for work, yet he himself has been late these few days!


Correlative Conjunctions (second kind of conjunctions)
A few common correlative conjunctions are "both....and" / "either....or" / "neither....nor" / "not only....but also".

Using "both....and"
Both Jason and his brother have a Masters Degree in Architecture.

Using "either....or"
Either Nancy or Jane will arrange for a taxi to bring the boss to the airport.

Using "neither....nor"
Neither Florence nor her sister has a car.

Using "not only....but also"
Not only can Sharon speak Spanish, but she can also speak Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
Not only is Cecilia pretty, but she is also smart.
Tommy is not only playful, but also naughty.


Subordinating conjunctions (third kind of conjunctions)
A subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of a subordinate or dependent clause. A subordinating conjunction joins/links the subordinate clause to the main clause of a sentence.

A few common subordinating conjunctions are although / because / after / before / until / when / while / unless / if / whether / since

Using although
Although it was raining heavily, the football match went on as scheduled.
(note: the punctuation mark comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)
The football match went on as scheduled although it was raining heavily.
(note: the punctuation mark comma (,) is not needed)

Using because
Paul felt sick and vomited because he had drunk too much beer.
She didn't attend class because she was not feeling well.

Using after
The children watched their favorite cartoon show after they had finished doing their English exercises. OR
After the children had finished doing their English exercises, the children watched their favorite cartoon show.
(note: comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)

Using before
Mrs Hardy had locked all the doors and windows before she left the house. OR
Before Mrs Hardy left the house, she had locked all the doors and windows.
(note: comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)

Using until
I shall wait for Mr Peterson until he gets back to the office.

Using when
Joanne almost fainted when she saw a huge dark shadow outside her window. OR
When Joanne saw a huge dark shadow outside her window, she almost fainted.
(note: comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)

Using while
Henry dropped his fountain pen while he was tying his shoelace. OR
While Henry was tying his shoelace, he dropped his fountain pen.
(note: comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)

Using unless
You are not allowed to watch TV unless you complete all your exercises. OR
Unless you complete all your exercises, you are not allowed to watch TV.
(note: comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)

Using if
If you don't submit your assignment by next Friday, marks will be deducted from your semester exam papers. OR
Marks will be deducted from your semester exam papers if you don't submit your assignment by next Friday.
(note: comma (,) is not needed in this sentence construction)

Using whether
She has to cope with all the subjects whether she likes it or not.

Using since
The roof has been leaking since we moved into the house.

Note that in the above example sentences that show the usage of subordinating conjunctions, the phrases in italics are the subordinate or dependent clauses.

The following phrases can also be used as subordinating conjunctions.
as long as
I'm sure we'll be able to get the job done on time as long as we co-operate with one another. OR
As long as we co-operate with one another, I'm sure we'll be able to get the job done on time. (note: comma (,) is needed in this sentence construction)

as soon as
Please reply to my email as soon as you can.
I'll inform all our customers as soon as the new products arrive.

or else (same meaning as otherwise)
You must attend the briefing, or else you'll be scolded by the personnel officer.

provided that
You can use whatever way to answer these questions, provided that you make sure your answers are relevant.

as if
The sky looks dark. It looks as if it's going to rain soon.
Margaret's face looked so pale. She looked as if she had seen a ghost!

even if
Mrs Hardy has no choice but to put up with her complaining mother-in-law even if she keeps complaining non-stop all day!

even though
They went jogging even though it was raining very heavily.


so that
Henry bought lots of snack food so that he and his friends would have enough to eat while watching TV.

Click on "grammar Articles" and view "Main Clauses and Subordinate Clauses" to find out how they are used in English sentences.









By Susan L
On 3/04/2010 06:11:00 AM
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