Conjunctions
Conjunctions, in grammar, are a type of part of speech that connects the words or phrases or clauses. In the absence of conjunctions, we are forced to express complex sentences by breaking them into short simple sentences. These conjunctions are used wisely to convey the same meaning. The conjunctions can either be in the format of a single word or compound or correlative. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle of a sentence but it depends on the type of conjunction being used.
Example: She bought a flower and chocolates from the market.
Types of Conjunction: Definition and Examples
There are three different types of conjunctions:
1. Coordinating Conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunction definition is as follows, the conjunction that joins two elements that have equal syntactic importance and grammatical rank. They can join two independent clauses, two phrases, two adjectives, two verbs or two nouns.
There are seven coordinating conjunctions, they are - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. The easiest way to remember these conjunctions is with an acronym called FANBOYS.
Among all these conjunctions “so” can be used both as coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. As coordinating conjunction, it can link two independent clauses and as subordinate conjunction, it can link two unequal clauses.
Rules for using the Coordinating Conjunctions:
There are a few rules which have to be followed during the use of suitable conjunctions along with the usage of words in specific situations:
When the coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses, a comma has to be used before that conjunction.
Example: I wanted to go shopping, but my friend wants to go to a movie.
When coordinating conjunction is joining two phrases or words, a comma is not used before the conjunction.
Example: I like to ride bikes and swim.
A comma is optional when coordinating conjunction is used with more than two items.
2. Correlative Conjunctions:
These are a kind of tag-team conjunctions. They come in pairs where they are used in different places.
Correlative Conjunction Examples: either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, whether/or, not/but.
I either want a chocolate cake or pastry.
She neither likes tea nor coffee.
3. Subordinating Conjunctions:
The subordinating conjunction meaning and examples are provided here. These are the types of conjunctions that help to join dependent clauses with independent clauses. Some of the common subordinating conjunctions are “since, because, though, as, although, while, and whereas”. Sometimes the adverbs can also act as conjunctions such as, “until, after, or before”.
Example: I can stay here until the clock strikes nine. Here the word “until” acts as a conjunction that connects two ideas such as, “can stay here” and “clock strikes nine”. Here the first idea is independent of the second one hence, “can stay here” is an independent clause, and “clock strikes nine” is a dependent clause.
It is not mandatory to have the subordinating conjunctions in the middle of the sentence, but it has to be a part of the dependent clause. The dependent clause is also called the subordinate clause or subordinating sentences.
The dependent clause has two specific qualities,
It cannot act as it’s a sentence.
It depends on the independent clause to provide a complete meaning.
Types of Subordinating Conjunctions
The subordinating conjunctions are categorized by meaning:
Time: When the main clause is performed or will be performed, the time-related conjunctions establish a period.
Example: as soon as, once, before, still, whenever.
I will clean the house after the relatives are gone.
Concession: By providing the additional information the concession conjunctions help to redefine the meaning of the main clause. It highlights the action that has happened in the hindrance or obstacle.
Example: although, even though, as though.
She wrote my article even though it is assigned to me.
Comparison: It helps to establish the connection between the words by providing a correlation.
Example: though, whereas, just as, in contrast to.
You will complete the work fastly whereas I need some more time.
Cause: It defines the reason the main clause was performed.
Example: because, since, so that.
My father always inspires me because he believes in me.
Condition: It provides the rules under which the main clause works.
Example: If, in case, even if, unless.
In case my sister suggests buying this dress, then I will go for it.
Place: It defines the place where the action or the activities occur.
Example: wherever, whereas.
I will place the conjunctions wherever it is necessary.
Conclusion
Here, we have seen the conjunction definition and examples, we can conclude that conjunctions help us to combine the simpler sentences to make a single complex sentence. We should be very careful while placing the comma and see to it that the appropriate conjunctions are used. The conjunctions that generally appear in the middle of the sentence are not preceded by the comma. If the subordinate clause appears at the starting of the sentence, then the whole sentence is followed by a comma.
FAQs on Types of Conjunctions: Understanding Coordinating, Subordinating, and Correlative Conjunctions
1. Define Conjunction with Example.
The definition of conjunction, for example, is as follows: Conjunctions are a type of part of speech that connects two words or phrases or sentences together. Without conjunctions, we would have had to explain a situation in too simple and short sentences. For example- I can work quickly. I can work carefully. Instead of using two short separate sentences and elongating the situation, one can simply use conjunctions and combine both sentences.
Example: I can work quickly and carefully.
2. Mention the Types of Conjunctions with Examples.
There are three types of conjunctions:
Coordinating Conjunctions: Conjunctions that connect two or more independent clauses or phrases or words.
Example: I want to study in a peaceful place so I went to the library.
Correlative Conjunctions: Conjunctions that come in pairs.
Example: She neither wants to go to a movie nor a party.
Subordinating Conjunctions: The conjunctions that connect a dependent clause and an independent clause.
Example: Every father works hard to fulfill their children's needs because he wants them to be happy.
3. Mention the difference between Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions and Give Examples.
Coordinating Conjunctions | Subordinating Conjunctions |
It connects the ideas of equal importance. | It connects the dependent and independent clauses. |
Two ideas are independent clauses. Use of comma as an indication to join the clauses. | One is the main clause and the other is the subordinate clause. |
It is joined by coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs. | Subordinating conjunctions sentences are joined by subordinating conjunction and relative pronoun. |
Example: However, moreover, for, not, but, or, yet, so | Example: Who, which, that, because, since, although, can, though, whereas, while |
