Conjunctions

CONJUNCTIONS

A conjunction joins words or groups of words in a sentence.
Examples:

• I ate lunch with Kate and Derma.
• Because it is rainy today, the trip is canceled.
• She didn’t press the bell, but I did.

There are three types of conjunctions: 

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

2. Correlative Conjunctions 

3. Subordinating Conjunctions 

1) Coordinating Conjunctions: are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join. For example:

1. And—means "in addition to":

• We are going to a zoo and an aquarium on a same day.

2. But—connects two different things that are not in agreement:

• I am a night owl, but she is an early bird.

3. Or—indicates a choice between two things:

• Do you want a red one or a blue one?

4. So—illustrates a result of the first thing:

• This song has been very popular, so I downloaded it.

5. For—means "because":

• I want to go there again, for it was a wonderful trip.

6. Yet—indicates contrast with something:

• He performed very well, yet he didn’t make the final cut.

7. Nor__It is most often used in lists of things after an initial negative, the most common of which is the combination neither . . . nor.  Examples:

• She has not told anyone what you said, nor has she given any indication that something is wrong.
• The police determined that Miss Scarlet had never entered the library that day, nor had she, according to fingerprint evidence, ever touched the revolver.
• No manned mission to Mars has taken place, nor is one planned for the near future.
• Neither Holly nor Eydie will answer the phone when Erika is not home. 
• Neither bottles of rat poison nor bags of broken glass are appropriate gifts for the host of the party. 
• Neither the high school athlete nor that child’s parents decide who plays each game. 
• Neither the high school athlete’s parents nor the athlete herself decides who plays each game. 

Note: 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

2) Correlative Conjunctions: are surrounding an adverb or adjective, for example:

1. Both/and

• She won gold medals from both the single and group races.
• Both TV and television are correct words.

2. Either/or

• I am fine with either Monday or Wednesday.
• You can have either apples or pears.

3. Neither/nor

• He enjoys neither drinking nor gambling.
• Neither you nor I will get off early today.

4. Not only/but also

• Not only red but also green looks good on you.
• She got the perfect score in not only English but also math.

3) Subordinating Conjunctions: are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example:

Look at this example:

main or independent clause	subordinate or dependent clause
Ram went swimming	although	it was raining.
	subordinating conjunction

The majority of conjunctions are "subordinating conjunctions". Common subordinating conjunctions are:

• after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while

A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can sometimes come after and sometimes before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible:

Ram went swimming although it was raining.

Although it was raining, Ram went swimming. Note: A subordinate or dependent clause "depends" on a main or independent clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine that somebody says to you: "Hello! Although it was raining." What do you understand? Nothing! But a main or independent clause can exist alone. You will understand very well if somebody says to you: "Hello! Ram went swimming."

1. Although—means "in spite of the fact that":

• Although it was raining, I ran home.
• She showed up, although she felt sick.
• Although my mom told me to come home early, I stayed out late.

2. After—indicates "subsequently to the time when":

• Please text me after you arrive at the shopping mall.
• We were forced to stop watching TV after the electricity went out.
• I always tell my daughter that she can have dessert after she eats her dinner.

3. Before—indicates "earlier than the time that":

• He had written a living will before he died.
• Before he contacted me, I was going to call him.
• I need to finish the dishes before my wife gets home.

4. Because—means "for the reason that":

• Because he was smart and worked hard, he was able to make a lot of money.
• They stopped building the house because it was pouring.
• I love dogs because they are so cute.

5. How—means "the way in which":

• I wonder how you did it.
• He explained how he completed it in a few days.
• Can you show me how you fixed the computer?

6. If—means "in the event that":

• If it is sunny tomorrow, we can go to the beach.
• If I receive a promotion, you will be the first to know.
• You can watch TV if you finish your homework.

7. Once—indicates "at the moment when":

• Once you see him, you will recognize him.
• Once the light came on, we all shouted with joy.
• Call me once you start having contractions.

8. Since—means "from the time when":

• I’ve been a singer since I was young.
• Since he graduated, he has been doing nothing.
• This building has been remodeled three times since I lived here.

9. So that—means "in order to":

• So that she could keep her position, she didn’t complain at all.
• He finished his work as fast as possible so that he could leave early.
• He worked harder for a raise so he could buy a nice car.

10. Until—means "up to the time that":

• Don’t go anywhere until I come back.
• She didn’t realize her talent in painting until her teacher mentioned it.
• They won’t allow us to sit until everyone arrives.

11. Unless—means "except, on the condition":

• You will not pass the exam unless you get a score of 80 or higher.
• I will not tell you anything unless you tell me what you know first.
• Unless you ask her, you will never know.

12. When—means "at that time":

• When I came in the room, everyone looked at me.
• I woke up when my baby was crying.
• I started looking for a gas station when my gas light went on.

13. While—means "during the time":

• Someone called you while you were at the meeting.
• We met while we were working at the University.
• My dog started barking while I was talking on the phone.

14. Where—indicates "in the place":

• This is where I came from.
• Please tell me where you are going.
• I need to know where John hid the present.

15. Whether—means "if it is true or not":

• We will have a picnic whether it rains or not.
• It is time to decide whether we should take action.
• You need to decide whether or not you are hungry.

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Source:

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/

http://www.talkenglish.com/Grammar/Grammar.aspx
http://www.beatthegmat.com/