Conjunction

• A conjunction is used to join words or group of words.• Kinds of conjunctions:• coordinating conjunctions;• correlative conjunctions;• conjunctive adverbs;• subordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction connects individual words or groups of words that perform the same function.

• And

• But

• Or

• Nor

• For

• Yet

• So

Single Words2 nouns e.g. Men and women are in that class.2 adjectives e.g. My parents were poor but happy. 2 infinitives e.g. I have to write and to type this paper tonight.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Prepositional Phrasesa. You can lie down on the bed or

on the sofa. Verb Phrasesa. We were listening to the teacher

but not understanding the lesson.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Dependent Clauses (Incomplete Sentences)

a. Where you go and what you do is none of my concern.

b. We can talk while you are here or when you get home.

Notice that in the sentences given no punctuation is necessary. In the following sentences, however, a comma is placed before each conjunction because it connects two independent clauses (complete sentences).

Coordinating Conjunctions

Independent Clauses

a. Jim loves Sue, and she loves him.

b. They lived in her hometown, yet they were not happy.

Correlative Conjunctions

• A correlative conjunction consists of two or more words that function together.

• Ex. Either Bill or Mary wrote the poem.

• Either...or

•Neither…nor

•Whether…or

•Not only…but (also)

• both…and

Conjunctive Adverbs

• A conjunctive adverb is an adverb that functions somewhat like a coordinating conjunction.

•Conjunctive adverbs usually connect independent clauses.

Conjunctive Adverbs

A semicolon precedes the conjunctive adverb, and a comma usually follows it.

e.g. I have to clean my room; therefore, I can’t go to the movie with you.

List of Conjunctive Adverbs

• Accordingly• Also• Besides• Consequently• Finally• Furthermore• However• Indeed

• Instead• Later• Moreover• Nevertheless• Otherwise• Still• Therefore• Thus

EXERCISE Finally, I hope that this presentation has helped

you develop a better understanding on conjunctions, since they are vital to the English language; consequently, you will use them often in your writing endeavors. Perhaps this lecture has not helped with your grammar so much as with enhancing your awareness. Therefore, challenge yourself to a conjunction quiz, or call it a review. (Review is preferable, because the word quiz often has a negative connotation.) Whether or not you feel like a conjunction pro, scan this paragraph and see if you can recognize the conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. After you are done, check the next slide where you will find the answers.

Answers...cc: coordinate conjunction ca: conjunctive adverb

c2: correlative conjunction

Finally (ca), I hope that this presentation has helped you to develop a better understanding of conjunctions, since they are vital to the English language; consequently (ca), you will use them often in your writing endeavors. Perhaps this lecture has not helped with your grammar so much as (c2) with enhancing your awareness. Therefore (ca), challenge yourself to a conjunction quiz, or (cc) call it a review. (Review is preferable, because the word quiz often has a negative connotation.) Whether or (c2) not you feel like a conjunction pro, scan this paragraph and see if you can recognize the conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. After you are done, check the next slide where you will find the answers.