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Conjunctions

 

Conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses.

 

Coordinating conjunctions – and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

            •Examples:

 

Connecting words: Fred and Jim are friends. He or I must go.

Connecting phrases: The man with the blue hat and the one with the red need to go

                                    First.

Connecting clauses: We need to pack the car, and you need to get ready.

 

Notice: When a conjunction joins two independent clauses (complete sentences), the sentence needs a comma before the conjunction. As a test, cover the conjunction. If what comes before the conjunction is a complete sentence, and what comes after the conjunction is a complete sentence, you need a comma. If not, you don’t. Simple?

 

Look at these examples:

 

1. We need you to pack warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Cover the and. Sturdy shoes is not a complete sentence; therefore, you don’t need a comma.

 

2. You should study the terrain before leaving, but make sure you bring your maps.

Cover the word but. Both sides are complete sentences. A comma is needed.

 

3. The captain of the team or the co-captain must come to the meeting. Cover the or. The captain of the team is not a complete sentence. No comma needed.

 

4. We don’t think John is coming to the party, yet we invited him first. Cover the yet. Both sides are complete sentences; therefore, a comma is needed.

 

Make sense?

 

Correlative conjunctions – sometimes conjunctions work in pairs

 

            •Examples: not only – but also; either – or; neither – nor; both – and

 

1. Not only does she sing, but also she dances. OR Not only does she sing, but she also dances. OR Not only does she sing, but she dances also.

 

2. Either the pitcher or the catcher is to be blamed.

 

3. Neither Miss Jones nor I will be available after school.

 

4. Both Miss Jones and I will be available after school.

 

Other conjunctions – sometimes adverbs are used as conjunctions. They are called conjunctive adverbs (see adverbs). They are not coordinating conjunctions because they not only join sentences, but they modify also. (the coordinating conjunctions so and yet are sometimes classified as conjunctive adverbs because they modify as well as join).

           

            •Examples: therefore, consequently, furthermore, otherwise, et al.

 

We didn’t bring the extra water bottles; consequently, we are thirsty.

 

Notice: the conjunctive adverb is punctuated using a semicolon (;) before and a comma (,) after the conjunctive adverb.(see Punctuation)

 

 

 

Conjunction Practice Exercises