Unit 2: Conjunctions

CONJUNCTIONS

Conjunctions are words that link other words in a sentence and indicate the relationship between those words. There are four types of conjunctions:

1. coordinating conjunctions
2. correlative conjunctions
3. adverbial conjunctions
4. subordinating conjunctions

You will study conjunctions again in Week 4 when you study the different types of clauses. But for now, learn the four types of conjunctions as subcategories of one of the eight parts of speech.

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Coordinating conjunctions join words or word groups of equal importance.

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions: 
*Use the memory word FANBOYS to help you remember all seven coordinating conjunctions.

1. For
2. And
3. Nor
4. But
5. Or
6. Yet
7. So

Examples

• The child was crying, for he had fallen and scraped both knees.
• The man and the woman walked hand in hand down the street.
• The Tan’s did not wish to visit Alaska, nor did they wish to visit Tierra del Fuego.
• She likes tea but not coffee.
• The student could play or study, but not both.
• The young man ate breakfast, yet he was still hungry.
• The game ended, so the team left the field.

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Correlative conjunctions are word pairs that join words or words groups of equal importance.

Common correlative conjunctions include:

• not only . . . but also
• whether . . . or
• both . . . and
• not . . . but
• either . . . or
• as . . . as
• neither . . . nor

Examples

• They want to travel not only to Europe but also to Asia.
• I want either the red dress or the black shoes.
• I want both the red dress and the black shoes.
• Whether you clean your room or vacuum the house is up to you.

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Unlike coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions that link words and word groups, adverbial conjunctions join independent clauses, which you will study in Unit 4.

Adverbial conjunctions tell the reader the relationship between the two main clauses. Below are common adverbial conjunctions organized by the relationship they specify.

Addition	Emphasis	Comparison  or Contrast	Cause or  Effect	Time
in addition  furthermore  moreover  further	in fact  indeed	however  nevertheless  nonetheless  otherwise  in contrast  in comparison	as a result  consequently  hence  therefore  thus	finally  meanwhile  next

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Subordinating conjunctions are a word or group of words that introduces a subordinate clause, which you will study in Unit 4.

Below are common subordinating conjunctions organized by the relationship they specify.

Cause or  Effect	Concession	Condition	Comparison  or Contrast	Purpose	Space or Time
as  because  since	though  although  even though  even if	if  since  unless  when  whenever	while  as  rather than	in order that  so that	before  since  once  after  while  when  until

Study these charts, for you will be referring to them throughout the course. You should become familiar with these words and the corresponding organizational relationship. They will help you to improve your thought and sentences as you write.