definition
A conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses. In the process it expresses a relationship between these ideas.
Coordinating conjunctions
- Connect the same part of speech (noun with a noun, verb with a verb)
- Connect the same type of phrase (a prepositional phrase with a prepositional phrase)
- Connect the same type of clause (an independent clause with an independent clause)
Use FANBOYS to help you remember the 7 coordinating conjunctions:
Notice how some coordinating conjunctions signal addition (such as and) while others signal contrast (such as but).
EXAMPLES:
Frank "F. A." Seiberling and Charles "C. W." Seiberling co-founded The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
In 1921, F. A. stepped down as president of Goodyear but then co-founded the Seiberling Rubber Company.
In 1912, F. A. and his wife, Gertrude, traveled to England to tour manor homes, for they were planning to build Stan Hywet Hall in Akron.
EXAMPLES:
Frank "F. A." Seiberling and Charles "C. W." Seiberling co-founded The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
In 1921, F. A. stepped down as president of Goodyear but then co-founded the Seiberling Rubber Company.
In 1912, F. A. and his wife, Gertrude, traveled to England to tour manor homes, for they were planning to build Stan Hywet Hall in Akron.
Correlative conjunctions
- Clarify the relationship between words or word groups of equal grammatical structure.
EXAMPLES:
Both F. A. and C. W. founded the Seiberling Rubber Company.
When F. A. and Gertrude built Stan Hywet Hall, Gertrude requested not only a music room but also an indoor swimming pool.
Both F. A. and C. W. founded the Seiberling Rubber Company.
When F. A. and Gertrude built Stan Hywet Hall, Gertrude requested not only a music room but also an indoor swimming pool.
adverbial conjunctions (conjunctive adverbs)
- Convey relationships between sentences and make writing more cohesive and coherent.
EXAMPLES:
Decorating Stan Hywet Hall, Gertrude Seiberling originally wanted Tudor antiques; however, interior designer Hugo Huber convinced her to include more comfortable furniture for the family to enjoy.
Some Tudor antiques, nevertheless, found their way into the decor.
Decorating Stan Hywet Hall, Gertrude Seiberling originally wanted Tudor antiques; however, interior designer Hugo Huber convinced her to include more comfortable furniture for the family to enjoy.
Some Tudor antiques, nevertheless, found their way into the decor.
subordinating conjunctions
- Allow you to combine two sentences into one by forming a subordinate (or dependent) clause, meaning that the clause cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. Most subordinating conjunctions begin adverb clauses.
EXAMPLES:
When the Seiberlings traveled to England, they toured manor homes to find inspiration for Stan Hywet.
The house became a museum after the six Seiberling children donated the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation in 1957.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, if you wish to tour the estate, is open from April through December.
When the Seiberlings traveled to England, they toured manor homes to find inspiration for Stan Hywet.
The house became a museum after the six Seiberling children donated the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation in 1957.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, if you wish to tour the estate, is open from April through December.
Choose the appropriate conjunction to express the exact relationship you mean.
is it a preposition or a subordinating conjunction?
Some words could be either a subordinating conjunction or preposition, depending on how the word is used.
EXAMPLE:
After a short wait, I took a tour of the manor house.
EXAMPLE:
After a short wait, I took a tour of the manor house.
- Here after acts as a preposition. You can tell this because there's just a noun phrase after it. Wait is the object of the preposition.
- Here after acts as a subordinating conjunction. You can tell this because it has a subject "the gate" and a verb "opens," the combination which makes an adverb clause.
Try building toward a climax by beginning a sentence with 3 adverb clauses in a row, each clause beginning with the same subordinating conjunction, each clause increasing detail on the subject.
EXAMPLES:
If you say "pop" instead of "soda," if you envision a kangaroo when you hear "Zippy," and if "King James" refers to LeBron, you might just be from Akron.
If you have waited 70+ years for another World Series title, if you have heard countless stories about The Drive, if your heart broke with The Decision, then you might just be a Cleveland sports fan.