CHAPTER 28: CONJUNCTIONS
English Grammar | By Mary Ansell
📖 1. COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinate Conjunction
Coordinate conjunctions join two equal grammatical elements (words, phrases, or independent clauses).
FANBOYS (Remember this acronym)
- F - for
- A - and
- N - nor
- B - but
- O - or
- Y - yet
- S - so
Examples
- I like apples and oranges.
- She is smart, but she is lazy.
- You can have tea or coffee.
- He didn't study, so he failed.
- He is rich, yet he is unhappy.
- I went to the store, for I needed milk.
- She doesn't like him, nor does she respect him.
📋 2. CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
Correlative Conjunction
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together.
| Pair | Example |
|---|---|
| either ... or | You can have either tea or coffee. |
| neither ... nor | She likes neither apples nor oranges. |
| both ... and | He is both smart and hardworking. |
| not only ... but also | She is not only beautiful but also intelligent. |
| whether ... or | I don't know whether to go or stay. |
📋 3. SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS
Subordinate Conjunction
Subordinate conjunctions introduce a dependent (subordinate) clause and connect it to an independent clause.
| Conjunction | Meaning/Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because | reason | I stayed home because it was raining. |
| although | contrast | Although it was raining, we went out. |
| if | condition | I will go if you come. |
| when | time | She called when I was sleeping. |
| while | time (during) | He read while she cooked. |
| since | time/reason | He hasn't eaten since breakfast. |
| until | time | Wait here until I return. |
| as | time/reason | She left as he arrived. |
| although | contrast | Although tired, he continued. |
| unless | condition (except if) | You will fail unless you study. |
| whereas | contrast | She likes cats, whereas he likes dogs. |
📋 4. CONNECTING ADVERBS
Connecting Adverb
Connecting adverbs (also called conjunctive adverbs) connect independent clauses and show relationships.
4a. Stress and Punctuation
Rule
Connecting adverbs are usually followed by a comma and preceded by a semicolon or period.
Examples
- I wanted to go; however, I was too tired.
- I wanted to go. However, I was too tired.
4b. Connecting Adverbs Used to Connect Sentences
| Connecting Adverb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| however | contrast | She is nice; however, she can be strict. |
| therefore | consequence | He studied hard; therefore, he passed. |
| furthermore | addition | She is smart; furthermore, she is kind. |
| meanwhile | time | She was cooking; meanwhile, he was cleaning. |
| consequently | result | He didn't study; consequently, he failed. |
| moreover | addition | He is talented; moreover, he works hard. |
4c. Position in a Clause
Rule
Connecting adverbs can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a clause.
Examples
- Beginning: However, I decided to go.
- Middle: I, however, decided to go.
- End: I decided to go, however.
📋 5. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION
Rule
Parallel construction means using the same grammatical form for items in a series.
Examples
- Incorrect: She likes swimming, to run, and reading.
- Correct: She likes swimming, running, and reading.
- Incorrect: He is smart, hardworking, and a kind person.
- Correct: He is smart, hardworking, and kind.
💡 Rule: Use the same grammatical structure for all items joined by conjunctions.
📝 EXERCISES FOR CHAPTER 28
Exercise 1. Fill in the blanks with the correct coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor).
- I like apples ______ oranges.
- She is smart, ______ she is lazy.
- You can have tea ______ coffee.
- He didn't study, ______ he failed.
- He is rich, ______ he is unhappy.
- I went to the store, ______ I needed milk.
- She doesn't like him, ______ does she respect him.
Answers to Exercise 1:
- and
- but
- or
- so
- yet
- for
- nor
Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks with the correct correlative conjunction.
- You can have ______ tea ______ coffee.
- She likes ______ apples ______ oranges.
- He is ______ smart ______ hardworking.
- She is ______ beautiful ______ intelligent.
- I don't know ______ to go ______ stay.
Answers to Exercise 2:
- either, or
- neither, nor
- both, and
- not only, but also
- whether, or
Exercise 3. Fill in the blanks with the correct subordinate conjunction.
- I stayed home ______ it was raining.
- ______ it was raining, we went out.
- I will go ______ you come.
- She called ______ I was sleeping.
- He read ______ she cooked.
- Wait here ______ I return.
- She left ______ he arrived.
- You will fail ______ you study.
Answers to Exercise 3:
- because
- Although
- if
- when
- while
- until
- as
- unless
Exercise 4. Fill in the blanks with the correct connecting adverb.
- She is nice; ______, she can be strict.
- He studied hard; ______, he passed.
- She is smart; ______, she is kind.
- She was cooking; ______, he was cleaning.
- He didn't study; ______, he failed.
- He is talented; ______, he works hard.
Answers to Exercise 4:
- however
- therefore
- furthermore
- meanwhile
- consequently
- moreover
Exercise 5. Correct the parallel construction errors.
- She likes swimming, to run, and reading.
- He is smart, hardworking, and a kind person.
- I enjoy reading, to write, and painting.
- She is beautiful, talented, and a good singer.
- He wants to travel, to learn, and exploring new places.
Answers to Exercise 5:
- She likes swimming, running, and reading.
- He is smart, hardworking, and kind.
- I enjoy reading, writing, and painting.
- She is beautiful, talented, and a good singer. / She is beautiful, talented, and good at singing.
- He wants to travel, learn, and explore new places.
📌 KEY SUMMARY
🔹 Conjunctions Summary
| Type | Examples | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinate (FANBOYS) | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so | Join equal elements |
| Correlative | either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not only...but also | Pairs that work together |
| Subordinate | because, although, if, when, while, since, until, as, unless | Introduce dependent clauses |
| Connecting Adverbs | however, therefore, furthermore, meanwhile, consequently, moreover | Connect independent clauses |
💡 Key Points:
- Coordinate conjunctions (FANBOYS) join equal elements.
- Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.
- Subordinate conjunctions introduce dependent clauses.
- Connecting adverbs connect independent clauses (with semicolon/period and comma).
- Parallel construction: use the same grammatical form for items in a series.
English Grammar | By Mary Ansell
Chapter 28: Conjunctions