HELPING ENGLISH

The Conjunction

A conjunction joins words or word groups (phrases, clauses)

Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction joins words or word groups that are used in the same way.

Coordinating Conjunctions*

and for or yet but nor so

*Also known as FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So)

EXAMPLES We found a bat and a glove. [The conjunction and connects two words.]

They may be hiding in the attic or in the basement. [The conjunction or

connects two phrases.]

Will Rogers once claimed, “My forefathers didn’t come over on the

Mayflower, but they met the boat.” [The conjunction but connects two

clauses.]

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that join words or word groups tat are used in the same way.

Correlative Conjunctions

both … and not only … but also

either … or whether … or

neither … nor

EXAMPLES

Both athletes and singers must train for long hours. [connect two words]

We searched not only behind the garage but also under the pecan tree. [connect two phrases behind the garage …under the pecan tree]

Either your fuel line is clogged, or your carburetor needs adjusting. [ connects two clauses]

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction begins a subordinate clause and connects it to an independent clause.

Commonly Used Subordinating Conjunctions

after because since when

although before so that whenever

as even though than where

as if how that wherever

as much as if though whether

as though in order that unless while

as well as provided until why

EXAMPLES We arrived late because our train was delayed.

Dr. Watson listened quietly while Sherlock Holmes explained his theory.

After we won the basketball game, we celebrated.

Exercise

Fill in the blanks with appropriate -coordinating or subordinating - conjunctions.

Helping English