Parts of Speech
Conjunctions
Conjunction
A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses.
There are different kinds of conjunctions, and each performs a different task.
Coordinate conjunctions
Coordinate conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses
of equal grammatical value.
Some coordinate conjunctions are and, or,
and so.
Betty and Mary went to the matinee on Saturday afternoon.
The coordinate conjunction and joins the words
Betty and Mary, both of which are grammatically
equal because they are nouns.
They went to the matinee, and then they visited the soda
shop.
The coordinate conjunction and joins the clauses
They went to the matinee and then they visited the soda shop.
Both of these clauses are grammatically equal because they are principal
clauses.
Mary finally received her inheritance, so now she can travel.
The coordinate conjunction so joins the principal clauses
Mary finally received her inheritance and
now she can travel.
Subordinate conjunctions
Subordinate conjunctions join clauses of unequal grammatical
value. One is a principal clause (which makes sense by itself); the other is a subordinate
clause (which does not make sense by itself).
They went to the soda shop after they went to the matinee.
The subordinate conjunction after begins the subordinate
clause after they went to the matinee.
Some subordinate conjunctions are after,
although, as, because,
before, for, if,
since, unless, until,
when, where, whereas,
and while.
Note: Some of these words can also be used as prepositions
and adverbs.
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions that are used
in pairs, such as either...or, both...and
and neither...nor.
These conjunctions must join words that are grammatically equal.
Neither you nor I am worthy of
the trust these people have placed in us.
These correlative conjunctions join two pronouns you and
I; these words are grammatically equal.
The
mother told her child
either to wash the dishes
or sweep the floor.
These correlatives either and or
are not joining equal grammatical phrases. To wash the dishes
and sweep the floor are not grammatically equal because
one begins with an infinitive (to wash) and the other begins
with a verb (sweep).
To correct this sentence, place the to before
either.
The
mother told her child to either
wash the dishes or
sweep the floor.
The two phrases are now grammatically equal because both of them begin with a verb.
- Mrs. Smith entered the restaurant where she was seated
by the hostess and then greeted by the waiter.
- The menu offered a choice of soup or salad for the appetizer
and chicken or steak for the entree.
- While she was trying to choose from the menu, her husband
joined her for dinner.
- After they finished their meal, they debated going to a
movie or to a hockey game.
- They were both tired from an early rise in the morning and
their busy day at work, so they went home instead.
