CONJUNCTIONS

A conjunction is a word that "joins". A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence.
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.

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.

The 7 coordinating conjunctions are short, simple words. They have only two or three letters. There's an easy way to remember them - their initials spell

: F A N B O Y S For And Nor But Or Yet So

FOR - is to introduce the reason for the preceding clause
AND - joins two similar ideas together
NOR - The conjunction nor is not extinct, but it is not used nearly as often as the other conjunctions. Its most common use is as the little brother in the correlative pair, neither-nor
BUT - joins two contrasting ideas together
OR - joins two alternative ideas
YET - is very similar to 'but' as it also joins two contrasting ideas together
SO - shows that the second idea is the result of the first

Type in all of your answers using the word list below and then click on "Check answers". If you need help, click "Show a letter".

and but or so

Principio del formulario

1. Jaewon was cold, he put on a coat.
2. Maria tried to read a novel in French, it was too difficult.
3. To get from Vancouver to Victoria, you can fly, you can ride the ferry.
4. I bought a bottle of wine, we drank it together.
5. The waiter was not very nice, the food was delicious.
6. I went to buy a Rolling Stones CD, the shop didn't have it.
7. Anna needed some money, she took a part-time job.
8. There's so much rain lately! Maybe it's because of El Nino, maybe it's just coincidence.
9. Julie has a guitar, she plays it really well.
10. The concert was cancelled, we went to a nightclub instead. Final del formulario

Now, write a short story about your plans about next weekend using the Coordinating Conjunctions

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