Conjunctions
What is a Conjunction?
Conjunctions are words used solely for connecting other words or phrases in a sentence. In the process,
they often serve to compress the length of a sentence. They perform no other function what so ever.
Examples:
Complete the task before noon.
Seema collected flowers and leaves from the garden.
She will not reach in time even if she hires a cab.
Different for Other Parts of Speech
Conjunctions are similar in appearance to the other parts of speech like Relative Pronouns,
Relative Adverbs and Prepositions. The function they perform is what sets them apart.
To better understand this distinction, let us take a closer look at the examples below.
Conjunction vs. Relative Pronoun
• Words when used as relative pronouns function as the subject of the dependent clause
andnot just aconnector.
• Words when used as conjunctions have a distinct subject followingthem.
Example 1:
This is the house which I was planning to buy. (Relative Pronoun) Sam did not know which book
he had to carry. (Conjunction)
In the first sentence, ‘which’ refers to the noun ‘house’; therefore, it is a relative pronoun.
In the second sentence, ‘which’ is used to connect two clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.
Example 2:
The shop that I entered was deserted. (Relative Pronoun) Rosy said that her neighbourstole
her sweets. (Conjunction)
In the first sentence, ‘that’ refers to the noun ‘shop’, thus making it a relative pronoun.
In the second sentence, ‘that’ is used to connect two clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.
Example 3:
The girl who left the letter looked distraught. I did not know who the man at the doorwas.
In the first sentence, ‘who’ refers to the noun ‘girl’, thus making it a relative pronoun.
In the second sentence, ‘who’ is used to connect two clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.
• The phrases ‘book’, ‘her neighbour’ and ‘the man’ (highlighted in blue) are the subjects
of the dependent clauses in thosesentences.
Conjunction vs. Relative Adverbs
• Words when used as relative adverbs function as post-modifiers to the main verb in thesentence.
• When they are used as conjunctions, they merely serve to connect two phrases orclauses.
Example 1:
This photo is taken in the studio where I usually practice. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
In the first sentence, ‘where’ modifies the verb ‘practice’, thus making it a relative adverb.
In the second sentence, ‘where’ connects two complete clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.
Example 2:
The day when she finally arrived brought joy to the entire town. James could not work when he was worried.
In the first sentence, ‘when’ modifies the verb ‘arrived’, thus making it a relative adverb.
In the second sentence, ‘when’ connects two complete clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.
Example 3:
The reason why the letter was returned was unknown to all. Anika wanted to know why she was not selected.
In the first sentence, ‘why’ modifies the verb ‘was returned’, thus making it a relative adverb. In the second sentence,
‘why’ connects two complete clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.
Types of Conjunctions
Conjunctions are broadly classified into three types:
• Coordinatingconjunctions
• Subordinatingconjunctions
• Correlativeconjunctions
I. CoordinatingConjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases and clauses of equal
rank or importance. These include
Let us look at some examples which use the above coordinating conjunctions.
Examples:
FOR Mohan did not enter the class for he waslate.
AND Raj came home from school and switched on thetelevision.
NOR She did not visit menor did she call when I wasill.
BUT She worked very hard but failed to produce results.
OR Would you like some tea or a softdrink?
YET Mom said she could not make it, yet she was there on time.
SO I wanted some peace of mind, so I visitedKerala.
EITHER Eitherwe catch this train or remain stranded her for another twodays.
NEITHER NeitherRaj nor Raman knew where the sound camefrom.
NOTE:
o All coordinating conjunctions except for ‘nor’ and ‘or’ can be omitted from a sentence
andreplaced with a comma (,) a semi-colon (;) or a colon(:).
Examples:
She watches me but does not speak. She watches me; she does not speak.
Mike saw the glass of milk and ran out.
Mike saw the glass of milk, he ran out.
• Types of CoordinatingConjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions can be further classified into four types based on the functions they perform.
These are
o Cumulative conjunction – And – Used to sum up or add elements mentioned in asentence.
Examples: Fruits and flowers, books and pens
o Adversative conjunction – But, Yet – Used to highlight opposites or contrast between seemingly similar elements in asentence.
Examples: Young but bold, quick yet late
o Disjunctive/Alternative conjunction – Or, Nor, Neither – Used to highlight a choice within the sentence.
Examples: Tea or coffee, neither good nor bad
o Illative conjunction – For – Used to highlight an inference drawn in thesentence.
Example: Sandhya cried for she lost herdoll.
II. SubordinatingConjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect a main clause to a dependent or subordinateclause.
The use of the subordinatingconjunction helps the dependent clause connect to and derive
meaning from the mainclause.
There is a wide range of words which are included in this category. A few commonly used
subordinating conjunctions are listed below:
Let us look at some examples which use the above subordinating conjunctions.
Examples:
AFTER Kavita entered the auditorium after filling the enrolment form.
ALTHOUGH Although the hotel is grand, it is not good enough for the royal family.
AS As we all know, our school has received an award.
BECAUSE I achieved my goals because you trained me.
BEFORE Visit the doctor before the illness gets worse.
IF If I stick around any longer, I will go crazy.
SINCE Since the matter is grave, I advise you to inform the police.
THAN She is a more dedicated worker than most others in the office.
THAT It is a misconception that dental treatment is painful.
THOUGH Though he was new to the place, he wanted to lead the party.
TILL They didn’t quit till they lost their last penny.
UNLESS Mr McArthur will purchase the estate unless his wife disapproves of it.
UNTIL She did not give up until she achieved the first rank.
WHEN Tom will come home when his wife and his mother agree with each other.
WHENEVER The child cries whenever he is bathed.
WHERE He prefers to work where there is no noise.
WHEREAS Seema loved to read books, whereas her sister loved to dance.
WHEREVER Jyoti was known for spreading smiles wherever she went.
WHETHER The cops could not figure out whether the evidence was true or false.
WHILE While mom was busy cooking, little Tom sneaked out into the garden.
Observe that the clauses in red are the main clauses in the sentences and the ones in black are the subordinate clauses.
These subordinate clauses derive their meaning through the support of the subordinating conjunctions which
connect them to the main clauses.
III. CorrelativeConjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are words used in pairs and whose main function is to establish a relation.
Each conjunction in these pairs is immediately followed by the phrases being connected or compared by them.
These include
Examples:
EITHER…OR You can have either the ice cream or thecandy.
NEITHER… NOR Neither Mary nor Martha dared to disobey theirfather.
BOTH…AND Both Mom and dad bought gifts to celebrate my sister’sbirthday.
THOUGH…YET Though you acted rudely, yet I will forgiveyou.
WHETHER…OR Whether she decides to comeor she sends her sister is her decision.
NOT ONLY … BUT ALSO Tom not only cut the grass but also watered the flowerpots.
• CompoundConjunctions
Compound conjunctions are phrases used as conjunctions in a sentence. They can function as
either coordinating or subordinating conjunctions.
INORDERTHAT He cross checked all the preparations in order that he may not miss any details.
EVENIF Even if I work all day, I will not be able to finish the project intime.
PROVIDEDTHAT The results will be declared on Monday provided thatthey are updated on the site by theweekend.
ASSOONAS I will call you as soon as I get some lead on thecase.
SOTHAT I took a one-week break so that I could attend my cousin’swedding.
ASTHOUGH She looked pale as though she had just seen aghost.
ASWELLAS I met my cousin as well as went to Shaniwar Wada when inPune.
ASIF She was chatting with me as if she knew me from manyyears.