Conjunctions are, as we say in Dutch: 'voegwoorden'. These words are used to 'slue'to seperate sencenes together, making it one.
An example:
Two seperate sentences:
1. I like reading historic novels
2. My brother thinks historic novels are boring.
Combined into one sentence:
1. I like historic novels, but my brother thinks they're boring.
As you can see, the word 'but' combines the two sentences. 'But' is a conjunction that glues both sentences together.
There are different conjunctions and every conjunction has its own function/meaning. You cannot mix them up; the sentences would'nt be correct anymore. These are the conjuctions and their functions:
Conjunction | Function | Example sentence |
So | gevolg | She's very tired, so she's going to bed. |
Or | keuze | Would you like pizza or spaghetti? |
And | opsomming |
I like boardgames and computergames. |
Because | reden | I was not at school, because I was ill. |
Since | reden | I'd like to say something, since we're all here. |
But | tegenstelling | I would love to come, but I can't make it. |
Yet | tegenstelling | She is a vegetarian, yet she ate fish yesterday. |
Until | time |
I'm going to work until 5 P.M. |
Before | time | I planned to cycle to school, before I noticed the flat tyre. |
After | time | She came home after she had a good run. |
When | time | It was 9 o'clock when the doors closed. |
While | time | I'm doing my homework while listening to music. |
As you can see; all conjunctions have their own functions. It's not possible to mix them up:
I am not going to school but I am ill.
Shall I stay here, yet shall I go home?
These sentences do not make any sense. What conjunction would you choose in these sentences, and why?