Conjunctions

Sometimes you want to write about more than one subject or action in the same sentence. It’s time for a conjunction. It helps to understand phrases and clauses when studying the more advanced uses of conjunctions.

Conjunction (conj.)

A conjunction connects words or groups of words. Conjunctions are described as coordinating, subordinating, correlative, and adverbial.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, and independent clauses. Unfortunately, some writers use coordinating conjunctions to join sentences, creating “run-on” sentences.

Coordinating conjunctions include:

and

but

yet

“And” and “or” are the most common coordinating conjunctions, joining most anything in a sentence. The conjunctions “but,” “yet,” and “so” join phrases and clauses to sentences. The word “for” can be a coordinating conjunction.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join dependent clauses to independent clauses within sentences. The conjunction allows additional information to be added to the sentence, improving the sentence’s clarity.

Some subordinating conjunctions are:

after	before	so	till	where
although	for	so that	unless	whereas
as	if	than	until	wherever
as if	once	that	when	whether
because	since	though	whenever	while

We partied all night once the book was published.

I write poetry whenever I find myself alone.

Correlative Conjunctions

The correlative conjunctions “correlate” two items, actions, or ideas. Not only do the correlative conjunctions compare two words, but they also work in pairs:

both/and

either/or

neither/nor

whether/or

There is a common correlative pair that is four words: not only/but also.

I want to either paint or write.

She is neither talented nor driven.

It was not only boring, but also poorly written.

Adverbial Conjunctions

Adverbial conjunctions join clauses of equal importance. These conjunctions are also known as “transitional adverbs.” Sometimes these conjunctions follow semicolons and link two independent clauses. If the conjunction connects a clause of lesser importance to a primary clause, use a comma in place of the semicolon. When an adverbial conjunction begins a sentence, use a comma after the conjunction.

The common adverbial conjunctions are:

accordingly	furthermore	likewise	still
besides	hence	nevertheless	therefore
consequently	however	so	thus

Carefully punctuate adverbial conjunctions. Too many or too few commas are common mistakes.

The money was found under his bed; consequently we assumed he was the thief.

She lied about knowing him, so we suspect her of being an accomplice.

Thus, we arrested her, too.

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