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Unit 2: Conjunctions

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CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are words that link other words in a sentence and indicate the relationship
between those words. There are four types of conjunctions:
1. coordinating conjunctions
2. correlative conjunctions
3. adverbial conjunctions
4. subordinating conjunctions
You will study conjunctions again in Week 4 when you study the different types of clauses.
But for now, learn the four types of conjunctions as subcategories of one of the eight
parts of speech.

Coordinating conjunctions join words

or word groups of equal importance.

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions:

*Use the memory word

FANBOYS to

help you remember all seven coordinating

conjunctions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

Examples
The child was crying, for he had fallen and scraped both knees.
The man and the woman walked hand in hand down the street.
The Tans did not wish to visit Alaska, nor did they wish to visit Tierra del Fuego.
She likes tea but not coffee.
The student could play or study, but not both.
The young man ate breakfast, yet he was still hungry.
The game ended, so the team left the field.

Correlative conjunctions are word pairs

that join words or words groups of

equal importance.
Common correlative conjunctions include:
not only . . . but also
whether . . . or
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Wiki - Unit 2: Conjunctions | Coursera

both . . . and
not . . . but
either . . . or
as . . . as
neither . . . nor
Examples
They want to travel not only to Europe but also to Asia.
I want either the red dress or the black shoes.
I want both the red dress and the black shoes.
Whether you clean your room or vacuum the house is up to you.

Unlike coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions that link words and word
groups,

adverbial conjunctions join independent

clauses, which you will study in

Unit 4.
Adverbial conjunctions tell the reader the relationship between the two main clauses. Below
are common adverbial conjunctions organized by the relationship they specify.

Addition

Emphasis

Comparison

Cause or

or Contrast

Effect

however
in addition

nevertheless

furthermore

in fact

nonetheless

moreover
further

indeed

otherwise
in contrast

Time

as a result
consequently

finally

hence

meanwhile

therefore

next

in comparison

thus

Subordinating conjunctions are a word or group of words

that introduces a

subordinate clause, which you will study in Unit 4.

Below are common subordinating conjunctions organized by the relationship they specify.

Cause
Comparison
Space
or
Concession Condition
Purpose
or Contrast
or Time
Effect
though
as
although
because even though
since
even if

if
since
unless
when
whenever

while
as
rather than

in order
that
so that

before
since
once
after
while
when
until

Study these charts, for you will be referring to them throughout the course. You should
become familiar with these words and the corresponding organizational relationship. They
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will help you to improve your thought and sentences as you write.

Read about Prepositions.

Read about Interjections.

Created Thu 9 May 2013 10:14 PM PDT

Last Modified Mon 3 Mar 2014 6:46 AM PST

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