Conjunctions - 1
There are three types of conjunctions:
- Coordinating conjunctions
- Correlative conjunctions
- Subordinating conjunctions
| Coordinating Conjunctions |
and, but, or, nor |
Correlative Conjunctions
|
either ...or, neither ...nor, not only ... but also,
both ...and, whether ...or |
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
|
after, before, although, though, even though, as much as, as long as, as soon as, because, since, so that, in order that, so, if, lest, even if, that, unless, until, when, where, whether, while |
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators, are conjunctions that connect two or more equal items.
Examples:
- He plays tennis and soccer
- He works quickly but accurately
- You'd better do your homework, or you'll get a terrible grade.
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs. They work in pairs to coordinate two items.
Examples of correlative conjunctions include: both...and..., either...or, not only... but also...
Examples Correlative conjunctions:
- I didn't know that she can neither read nor write.
- You can either walk to school or take the bus.
- Both Sara and James are invited to the party.
- Whether you watch TV or do your homework is your decision.
- Not only are they noisy but they are also lazy.
Conjunctions - 2
Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions
that join a dependent (or subordinating) clause to an independent (or main) clause.
Examples:
- He reads the newspapers after he finishes work.
- Even if you get the best grade in the writing test, you'll need to pass an oral test.
- Although he is very old, he goes jogging every morning.
- She didn't go to school because she was ill.
- They went to bed since it was late.
- As soon as the teacher had arrived, they started work.
Extra examples of the usage of conjunctions:
| Conjunction |
Example sentence |
| as if |
Aunt Alexandra was sitting in a rocking-chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life. |
| as long as |
I will take my chances as long as you love me. |
| as soon as |
As soon as you stop wanting something you get it. |
| though |
Though it is not an ox, it has horns; |
| |
though it is not an ass, it has a pack-saddle; |
| |
and wherever it goes it leaves silver behind. What is it?* |
| till |
Just you wait, Henry Higgins, till you're sick. |
| because |
She goes to the tennis club because she likes to play tennis. |
| but |
He reads magazines but he doesn't like to read books. |
| how |
Do you know how he's doing? |
* a snail
Conjunctions - 3
| Conjunction |
Example sentence |
| what |
Did he ever tell what programme he likes best? |
| if |
If you were older, you could go to the party. |
| |
I don't know if I really love her. |
| whether |
We should find out whether the museum is open (or not). |
| when |
When you are older, you can go to the party. |
| while |
I stayed up while you were sleeping. |
| or |
Shall I stay or shall I go? |
| since |
Since he's lost his money, he couldn't go to the restaurant. |
| so |
I didn't know just what to do, so I whispered: "I love you." |
| so that |
She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward. |
| unless |
Her baby cannot fall asleep unless she stays in the room. |
| what |
I don't know what you mean. |
| when |
When you're in London, write an e-mail to me. |
| |
When you were in Birmingham, you never did. |
| after |
He stopped being nice to her after she told him that she was married. |
| before |
Before she told him about her marriage, he was very gallant. |
| whether |
I'm going home whether you like it or not. |
| until |
They can talk until hell freezes over. |
| for |
She left work early, for she was feeling a bit under the weather. |
