As their name implies, conjunctions join together elements of thought: words, phrases, sentences, and even paragraphs.
Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest kind, and they denote equality of relationship between the ideas they join. That is, the joined words or phrases have the same (equal) impportance. Coordinating conjunctions are sometimes called the fanboys because that is an old acronym for them, used to help memorize them:
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
Examples:
- Popcorn and peanuts are our favorite snacks. (The two subjects, popcorn and peanuts are of equal emphasis or importance.)
- The plumber dug a trench and buried the water pipe. (The two verbs, dug an buried, have equal importance.)
- The concert continued, but Jane and Fred decided to leave. (Two sentences of equal emphasis joined by but.)
Their relatives, correlative conjunctions, not only denote equality, but they also make the joining tighter and more emphatic.
but or nor for so yet |
not only . . . but also either . . . or neither . . . nor whether . . . or just as . . . so too |
Examples:
- Just as the smell of baking brought back memories, so too did the taste of the cider.
- The crew not only installed the cabinet, but they also painted the shelves.
- Neither the teller nor the bank manager could locate the account number.
Coordinating and correlative conjunctions are great when two ideas are of the same importance, but many times one idea is more important than another. Subordinating conjunctions allow a writer to show which idea is more and which is less important. The idea in the main clause is the more important, while the idea in the subordinate clause (made subordinate by the subordinating conjunction) is less important. The subordinate clause supplies a time, reason, condition, and so on for the main clause.
before since when whenever while until as as . . . as once |
since so that in order that why |
though even though while |
wherever |
unless until in case provided that assuming that even if |
as though how |
Examples:
- Sally steamed the corn while Fred fried the steaks.
- After the rain stopped, the dog ran into the mud to play.
- The snowman melted because the sun came out.
- Even though John fell asleep, the telephone salesman kept talking.
Conjunctive adverbs make up an even stronger category of conjunctions. They show logical relationships between two independent sentences, between sections of paragraphs, or between entire paragraphs. Conjunctive adverbs are so emphatic that they should be used sparingly; however, when used appropriately, they can be quite effective.
hence however still likewise otherwise therefore conversely rather |
furthermore nevertheless instead moreover then thus meanwhile accordingly |
Examples:
- If the salmon is grilled, I will have that; otherwise, I might have the chicken.
- James has a garage full of wood working tools. He might, however, have some metric wrenches, too.
- I do not recommend that you play with a stick of dynamite lit at both ends. Rather, a ham sandwich would be better for you.
Relative pronouns and relative adjectives are also used to join ideas together by creating adjective or noun clauses, which allow a writer to create smoother, more flowing and effective sentences by combining ideas.
whom whose whoever whomever |
that what whichever whatever |
Examples:
- This is the man who sells peanuts.
- Tell me what you want.
- Hers is an idea that I would like to think through.
- The shirts, which are in the laundry, will need ironing.
Adverbs of time, place, and sequence are actually transitions of logic, but as such they also have conjunctive force, because they connect ideas by showing a time relationship.
next lastly later before after |
now soon here there today |
second third fourth eventually tomorrow |
Examples:
- The twilight glides away. Soon night will awake.
- First, get a pad and pencil. Next, find a quiet place to think.
Sentential Adverbs are closely related to conjunctive adverbs. The “official” line on these words is that they convey no meaning of their own but instead serve only to emphasize the statement to which they are attached. As such, then, they technically do not show a logical relationship like time or cause between ideas, and that fact prevents them from being true-blue conjunctive adverbs. But it could be argued that sentential adverbs create a relationship of emphasis between ideas: this new idea is important in light of what preceded it. Indeed, that is why they are included here.
indeed naturally after all in short I hope at least remarkably |
I think it seems in brief clearly I suppose assuredly definitely |
without doubt for all that on the whole in any event importantly certainly naturally |
Examples:
- The flashlight hit the floor and broke into a hundred pieces. At least there was a candle in the room.
- They all began to use appropriate sentential adverbs in their writing. They were convinced, I suppose, by the excellent examples.
- The conjunction list has left the building. On the whole, I hope you enjoyed it.