Conjunctions

Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases or sentences and etc.

Here are some example conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunctions	Subordinating Conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so	although, because, since, unless

We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.

 Form

Conjunctions have three basic forms:

• Single Word
  for example: and, but, because, although
• Compound (often ending with as or that)
  for example: provided that, as long as, in order that
• Correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
  for example: so...that

Function

Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":

• Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses, for example:
  - Jack and Jill went up the hill.
  - The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming.
• Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example:
  - I went swimming although it was cold.

Position

• Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.
• Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the subordinate clause.

In this lesson we will look in more detail at:

• Coordinating Conjunctions
• Subordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

The short, simple conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions":

• and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so

A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar. A coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and structure:

Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]:

• I like [tea] and [coffee].
• [Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].

Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.

When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction:

• I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian at university.

However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential:

• She is kind so she helps people.

When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional:

• He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum.
• He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.

Subordinating Conjunctions

The majority of conjunctions are "subordinating conjunctions". Common subordinating conjunctions are:

• after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while 

A subordinate or dependent clause "depends" on a main or independent clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine that somebody says to you: "Hello! Although it was raining." What do you understand? Nothing! But a main or independent clause can exist alone. You will understand very well if somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram went swimming."

A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can sometimes come after and sometimes before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible: 

Ram went swimming although it was raining.

Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.

Exercises

1.      Things were different _____ I was young.

2.      I do it _____ I like it.

3.      Let us wait here _____ the rain stops.

4.      You cannot be a lawyer  _____ you have a law degree.

5.      That was years _____ years ago.

6.      She has not called _____ she left last week.

7.      I saw him leaving an hour _____ two ago.

8.      This is an expensive _____ very useful book.

9.      We were getting tired _____ we stopped for a rest.

   10.   He was angry _____ he heard when happened.

Answers

1.      Things were different when I was young.

2.      I do it because I like it.

3.      Let us wait here until the rain stops.

4.      You cannot be a lawyer unless you have a law degree.

5.      That was years and years ago.

6.      She has not called since she left last week.

7.      I saw him leaving an hour or two ago.

8.      This is an expensive but very useful book.

9.      We were getting tired so we stopped for a rest.

   10.   He was angry when he heard when happened

Sumber :

www.englishclub.com

www.myenglishgrammar.com