Conjunctions

Conjunctions are essential words or phrases used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences within a sentence. They serve to establish relationships between these elements, enabling smoother and more coherent communication.

Examples:

• She and he are good friends (coordinating conjunction connecting two nouns).
• He worked hard so that he could succeed (subordinating conjunction introducing a purpose clause).
• Neither she nor he could solve the puzzle (correlative conjunctions joining two nouns).

1) Subordinating Conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions are words that link independent clauses to dependent clauses, creating complex sentences. They introduce adverbial clauses, which provide information about time, place, cause, effect, condition, or manner.

Examples:

• She went to the store because she needed groceries (introducing a cause-and-effect relationship).
• Although it rained, they continued the picnic (introducing a contrast).
• He will visit whenever he has free time (indicating a time relationship).

2) Coordinating Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions are simple words like “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet” that connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical importance. They help create compound sentences.

Examples:

• He likes coffee and she prefers tea (connecting two nouns).
• She studied hard, but she didn’t perform well (connecting two independent clauses).
• You can have pizza or pasta for dinner (connecting two choices).

3) Correlative Conjunctions: Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect elements in a sentence. They include “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “both…and,” “not only…but also,” “whether…or,” and “not…but.”

Examples:

• Either you come to the party or you stay home (connecting two alternatives).
• Neither he nor she can solve the puzzle (connecting two subjects).
• She is not only talented but also hardworking (connecting two qualities).