Parts of speech: Conjunction

A conjunction is a word used to join expressions. Expressions joined together by conjunctions are words, phrases and clauses. Examples:

There are three main kinds.

Coordinating, correlative, subordinating conjunctions

1. Coordinating conjunctions join groups of similar words and sentences e.g and, but, or

Examples:

            They want John and Tina. (two words)

            They have finally finished and will soon leave. (two main clauses).

            They played their best but they did not win. (two main clauses).

            Hussein and Musa are good swimmers. (two words)

• Correlative conjunctions are made up of pairs of words. They join individual words or groups of words. Examples: either—— or, neither—–nor, both——-and, not only——but also hardly——-when, no sooner——-than etc.

Examples:

Lost in the desert, we had neither food nor water.

The crowd likes both my paintings and my sculpture.

The machine not only picks the peas but also shells them.

EitherNgoziorUsman is acceptable.

I had hardly reached home when the phone began ringing.

We had no sooner started for the cinema than our uncle arrived.

• Subordinating conjunctions are used to join clauses of unequal rank. They join subordinate clauses to main clauses. Examples after, before, since, until, when, while, now that, as, where, because, although, even, if, as though, in order that, last, so that, except that, unless etc.

Examples:

            After I had finished my work, I took a nap.

            I like listening to music while I read.

            They were angry because the group last without them.

The baby cries although he has just been fed.

He acts as if he owns this company.

Watch out for the step last you trip.

Let me know if you can’t make it to the practice.

Although I was angry, I didn’t show it.

Evaluation: Make sentences with these conjunctions: besides, since, when, therefore, until.

Reading Assignment: The New Student’s companion page 115 – 117.