A conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. It is used to show a relationship between the connected elements. Conjunctions are used to coordinate, subordinate, or correlative, and they play an important role in constructing and combining sentences. Conjunctions are words which join phrases, clauses and sentences.
Examples:
- He was slow but he was brilliant.
- She woke early because she slept on time.
- I will do it if I can.
- He swept the floor while I swept the compound.
- Let’s start now, so that we’re sure to have enough time.
- You can go out as long as you come back early.
- I walk as though I’m a millionaire.
KIND OF CONJUNCTION
- CO-ORDINATING CONJUNCTION
- CORRELATING CONJUNCTION
- SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION.
CO-ORDINATING CONJUNCTION
This is type of conjunction primarily joins words or phrases. We have AND, BUT, OR, NOR, SO, YET, FOR, NOR, ALSO, EITHER –OR, NEITHER- NOR, OR. Examples:
- she spoke impressively at the meeting and won the appreciation of all
- I offered to help her but she refused my help.
- I must try hard for there is stiff competition.
- He is not my friend nor my relative.
These conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. The most common coordinating conjunctions are “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet.” For example:
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- I like to swim, and she likes to hike.
- He can choose between coffee or tea.
CORRELATING CONJUNCTION
Correlating conjunctions are the ones which join words, phrases, clauses and sentences which are complementary to one another in a set correlating conjunction comes in pairs. BOTH – AND, NEITHER – NOR, NOT ONLY – BUT ALSO, EITHER- OR.
EXAMPLES:
- He both prays and preaches.
- This is neither boring nor fascinating.
- Neither the man nor the woman is here.
- She is not only brilliant but also well behaved.
- He plays both gitar and piano.
These conjunctions work in pairs to connect elements of equal importance. They are used to show relationships between two or more words, phrases, or clauses. Common correlative conjunctions include “both…and,” “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “not only…but also,” and “whether…or.” For example:
- He can either come to the party or stay at home.
- Not only did she write a letter, but she also sent a gift.
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinating conjunctions are words which join the main clause with subordinate clause. This type of conjunction can in other words be referred to subordinators. E.g. AFTER, ALTHOUGH,UNLESS, AS, BECAUSE, BEFORE, WHEN, WHICH, PROVIDED,WHENEVER, IF, UNTIL, INCASE, et-cetra are ordination conjunctions identifiable in English language.
These conjunctions introduce a subordinate clause, which depends on the main clause to make a complete sentence. They indicate a subordinate relationship between the clauses. Examples of subordinating conjunctions include “because,” “although,” “while,” “if,” “before,” “since,” “after,” and “unless.” For example:
- I will go for a walk if the weather is nice.
- She always reads a book before going to bed.
Conjunctions are essential for creating clear and coherent sentences by joining ideas and indicating the relationships between them. They help in expressing contrast, addition, cause and effect, condition, time, and other connections within a sentence or between sentences.
See also
ANTONYMS – WORDS THAT ARE OPPOSITE IN MEANING
GRAMMAR: ADVERBS AND TENSE
VOCABULARY DEVELOPNMENT (SEXUALITY AND RELIGION) WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH PHOTOGRAGHY)
VOCABULARY DEVELOPNMENT: SYNONYMNS