Test Yourself

Conjunctions

[Harbrace 1c(7), 1e(2), 3b, & 10]

Review

• Introduction: Co-ordinating Conjunctions 
• Correlative Conjunctions 
• Conjunctive Adverbs 
• Subordinating Conjunctions 

Practice Exercises

• Identifying Logical Co-ordinating Conjunctions and Conjunctive Adverbs
• Selecting Appropriate Conjunctions

Introduction

Co-ordinating Conjunctions [Harbrace 1c(7) & 10]

Co-ordinating conjunctions connect elements that have the same function, such as two subjects, two objects, or two independent clauses. These conjunctions connect words, phrases, clauses, or even whole sentences. The co-ordinating conjunctions are: 

and, for
or, nor
but, so
yet 

The peppers and the tomatoes are now ripe.
(links two subjects) 

I bought a car and a truck.
(links two objects) 

She enrolled in the course, but she failed to attend.
(links two independent clauses) 

My mother likes to play tennis or to swim.
(links two infinitive phrases used as objects) 

Only clauses are linked by so, for, and nor (without neither). 

We were drenched by the rain, for we had no umbrella.
(links two independent clauses) 

No one would come to the door, nor could we find out why.
(links two independent clauses) 

He missed the bus, so he decided to walk.
(links two independent clauses) 

Correlative Conjunctions [Harbrace 1c(7) & 10] 

Correlative conjunctions occur in pairs and join elements that have the same functions. 

both, and
either, or
neither, nor
not only, but (also)
such, as
not, but 

Conjunctive Adverbs [Harbrace 3b]

Conjunctive adverbs connect independent clauses. You must use either periods or semicolons with them, not just commas. [See also Harbrace 18a] 

He graduated with honours; therefore, his chances for dental school were excellent. 

He graduated with honours; his chances for dental school were, therefore, excellent. 

Conjunctive adverbs, listed by function, include: 

• To indicate illustration:

for instance, for example, namely 

• To indicate contrast:

however, nevertheless 

• To indicate addition:

furthermore, moreover, in addition, also 

• To indicate time:

then, thereafter, consequently 

• To indicate result:

therefore, consequently, thus 

Subordinating Conjunctions [Harbrace 1e(2)]

A subordinating conjunction makes a clause dependent and connects it to an independent clause. 

I deposited the cheque.
My balance covered my tuition.
After I deposited the cheque, my balance covered my tuition.
I deposited the check, although my balance covered the tuition. 

Subordinating conjunctions include: 

after, how that, until
although, once, whatever
as, provided, when
as if, since, whenever
because, so that, where
before, that, wherever
even though, though, whether
if, unless, while