Conjunctions

Conjunctions are used to join words, phrases or clauses. For example:

She ate the spaghetti and the lamb chop.

Call the cab when you are ready to leave.

Conjunctions can be classified into 3 parts, namely:

a) coordinating conjunction;

b) subordinating conjunction; and

c) correlative conjunction

Coordinating Conjunction

Coordinating conjunction are used ("and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "so" or "yet") to join individual words, phrases, and independent clauses. 

In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is a coordinating conjunction:

Roses and apples are usually red.

In this example, the coordinating conjunction "and" links two nouns.

The baby cried loudly, for he was hungry.

In this example, the coordinating conjunction "for" is used to link two independent clauses.

Dad told us that he spent most of his childhood swimming in rivers and catching guppies by the drain.

Here the coordinating conjunction "and" joins two participle phrases ("swimming in rivers" and "catching guppies by the drain") which act as adverbs describing the verb "spent".

Subordinating Conjunction

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and indicates the nature of the relationship among the independent clause(s) and the dependent clause(s).

The most common subordinating conjunctions are "after", "although", "as", "because", "before", "how", "if", "once", "since", "than", "that", "though", "till", "until", "when", "where", "whether" and "while."

Each of the highlighted words in the following examples is a subordinating conjunction:

After she had plastic surgery, Alice felt more confident.

The subordinating conjunction "after" introduces the dependent clause "After she had plastic surgery".

If you sign the divorce papers now, we will be divorced by Monday.

Similarly, the subordinating conjunction "if" introduces the dependent clause "If you sign the divorce papers now".

Cindy had to walk to school when her car broke down.

The subordinating conjunction "when" introduces the dependent clause "when her car broke down".

Although they live far apart, they are still friends. 

In this example, the dependent clause "Although they live far apart" is introduced by the subordinating conjunction "Although".

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs and they are used to join equivalent sentence elements. The most common correlative conjunctions are "both...and...", "either...or...", "neither...nor...", "not only...but also...", "so...as..." and "whether...or...". 

The highlighted words in the following examples are correlative conjunctions:

Both my sister and I are teachers.

In this example, the correlative conjunction "both...and..." is used to link the two noun phrases that act as the compound subject of the sentence: "my sister" and "I".

Order either a cake or an ice-cream.

Here the correlative conjunction "either...or..." links two noun phrases: "a cake" and "an ice-cream".

Shereen is trying to decide whether to go to Penang or to Malacca for a holiday.

Similarly, the correlative conjunction "whether ... or..." links the two infinitive phrases "to go to Penang" and "to go to Malacca".

The fire destroyed not only the kitchen but also the entire ground floor of the house.

In this example the correlative conjunction "not only ... but also..." links the two noun phrases ("the kitchen" and "the entire ground floor of the house") which act as direct objects.

Try It Out!

Test your understanding by trying the exercises below:

1. I need to work hard __________ I can pass the exam with flying colours.
2. __________ he was the best student in his school, he did not obtain straight As in his SPM examination.
3. __________ you come back from work, dinner will be ready.
4. They said that the dessert was delicious, __________ I ordered it.
5. __________ he was in a lot of pain, he did not cry.
6. I don't know __________ I can buy strawberries.
7. She went to the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale __________ couldn't find any books she liked.
8. Everybody likes him because he is nice __________ helpful.
9. You have to speak louder __________ he can't hear well.
10. Keep quiet __________ go out.

Answers: 1. so that  2. Although  3. When  4. so  5. Although  6. where  7. but  8. and  9. because  10. or

Fun Time!

Yes But Dialogue Game

Objective: Students will work co-cooperatively to learn about and practice dialogue improvisation.

Instructions:

1. Separate the class into two groups: Group A and Group B.
2. Ask students of each group to line up with the first student in each group facing each other and the other students looking at the backs of their group mates.
3. Decide which group is to go first. (You may flip a coin to decide the sequencing.)
4. Shout out a topic sentence that the groups have to base their dialogue on.
5. If the Group A gets to go first, the first student in the line in that group begins by saying a sentence that relates to the topic beginning with "Yes, but ...... ".
6. After saying his/her sentence, the student runs back to the end of his/her group's line. Then, the first student in Group B has to say a sentence in reply to Group A's sentence, beginning with "Yes, but ...... ". After the first student of Group B has done so, he/she is to run to the back of his/her line.
7. Time how fast the class can finish this game. Play this game often and try to beat the time.

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