CONJUNCTIONS

Conjunctions can primarily be broken down into three categories:

 Coordinating conjunctions
 Correlative conjunctions
 Subordinating conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions always come between two clauses in order to

connect them. These are two ideas that are related and can therefore be
placed into one longer sentence.

A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction like “and” and “but.” It joins

together words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. The seven
coordinating conjunctions are:

 For
 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So

 You can remember these conjunctions using the acronym

FANBOYS. These are all very useful constructions to improve the flow
and fluency of language.
 The seven coordinating conjunctions can be remembered using the
acronym: FANBOYS
For

shows reason or purpose (sometimes because can be used instead)

 I go to the library, for I love to read.

While the word “so” introduces the “effect” part of a cause-and-effect

relationship, the word “for” introduces the cause.

 My husband and I went to Costa Rica,  for  it was our five-year

anniversary.
 The neighborhood had a memorial last weekend,  for  a family’s son
had passed away.

Using the word “for” like this, however, can sound a bit formal and unnatural
in spoken English. Instead, it’s better to use subordinating conjunctions like
“because” or “since,” which we’ll discuss later. Meanwhile, the word “for” can
take different usages as a preposition, not a conjunction. For example:

 What are you doing  for  New Year’s?

 Is this gift  for  me or someone else?
 I’ve been living in Los Angeles  for  about six months.

Although you may have been taught otherwise, it’s often acceptable for a
sentence to begin with a coordinating conjunction, as long as it forms a
continuity with the sentences preceding it.

When used in writing, in fact, it can often feel more natural to begin a
sentence with “and” or “but” instead of forcing separate sentences together
with a comma. For example:

 Sometimes, Jack can come off as a bit insensitive,  but  I know he

means well.
  Sometimes, Jack can come off as a bit insensitive.  But  I know he
means well.  (Also a valid use of the word “but”)
 The sushi restaurant down the street is the best I’ve ever been
to.  And  it was a good deal.

And

connects two or more ideas

 I like to eat cookies, and I like to drink milk.

The conjunction “and” is used to join two or more items that make sense
with each other.

 I put mayonnaise  and  mustard in this sandwich.

 My friend likes to go mountain-climbing  and  swim in the ocean.
 My mom was born in the U.S.,  and  my dad was born in
Switzerland.

It can also be used to connect a series of events.

 Everyday after school, I go to the library  and  study.

 The president arrived  and  gave an hour-long speech.

If you want to list several items, use commas and the word “and” at the very
end (the Oxford comma is optional).

 I wasted so much time, energy,  and  money on that trip.

 The dog barked, growled  and  scratched until his owner let him
back in the house.
Nor

shows a non-contrasting, negative idea. Adds more negativity.

 I refuse to hug to people I don’t know, nor will I kiss them.

While “and” is used to join two positive items together, the conjunction “nor”
is used to pair two negative items. It’s found either with the word “not” or
with the word “neither.”

 He didn’t return my calls,  nor  did he respond to any of my texts.

 Neither the yoga  nor  the running made my back feel any better.
 I didn’t think that it would snow so early in the year,  nor  did the
weather forecast.

Note the word inversion that often accompanies this conjunction.

But

shows contrast or exception.

 Sheila likes soup, but sometimes she orders something different.

The conjunction “but” is used to join two items that contradict each other or
create a certain tension with each other.

 The dress was beautiful  but  slightly expensive.

 I put a lot of effort into the assignment,  but  I couldn’t even get an
A.
 My mom doesn’t like to cook,  but  she does it anyway.

A common usage of the word “but” is in the construction “not…but.” You can
also use the word “rather” to emphasize the contrast in the statement.

 It wasn’t a bird  but  a squirrel that’s been ravaging the garden.

 Strawberries aren’t actually berries  but  rather an “accessory fruit.”
Or

shows choice or option.

 He could go to the bar, or he could go to work.

The conjunction “or” can be used to present two or more options. It’s often
paired with the word “either.”

 Do you like chocolate  or  vanilla better?

 He’s either flirting with me  or  just acts unusually nice to me.
 You can come buy groceries with me,  or  you can stay home until I
get back.

Yet

also shows contrast or exception.

 He had been crying all day, yet the man made him laugh.

The conjunction “yet” is very similar to “but.” It means something like

“nevertheless” or “but at the same time.”

 He can be strict  yet  understanding at the same time.

 The sauce was sweet  yet  had a spicy flavor to it.
 I got a new prescription for my glasses,  yet  my vision is still a bit
blurry.

Don’t get this conjunction mixed up with the other usage of the word “yet.”
For example:
  Did she call you back  yet?
 Is your roommate awake  yet?

So

shows consequence.

 The lady was feeling ill, so she went home to bed.

If you want to express a cause-and-effect relationship, you can use the

conjunction “so.” It introduces a clause that is the effect of a previous clause.

 It was the week before Christmas,  so  the mall was unusually
hectic.
 The traffic is a bit heavy on the main road,  so  try taking a
residential detour instead.
 The mistake was already made,  so  there’s not much you can do
about it now.

Notice that the word “so” can be used to justify a suggestion or command. It
can also be used to explain the basis of a question. For example:

 My dog gets a bit rowdy sometimes,  so  put him in his cage when
you need to.
 All the bars are closed by now,  so  what do you want to do instead?

Another usage of the conjunction “so” is to introduce a new idea or change

the subject, whether this has a cause-and-effect relationship or not. For
example:

 So, what do you want to talk about now?

 So, how has your day been?

Be careful not to mix up the coordinating conjunction “so” with other usages
of the word “so.” For example:

 The line was  so  long we bailed within the first five minutes.
  “Is it going to be warmer tomorrow?” “I think  so.”
 I hid the presents  so  that the rest of my family wouldn’t find them.

Exercise 1

Insert commas and coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor,

but, or, yet, so) when appropriate to complete the sentences.

1. My favorite desserts include cookies, cheesecake ____ tiramisu.

2. I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books _____ I had
to get a job.
3. I finished my homework _____ my mom let me go outside.
4. I could not play outside _____ I had to study for a test.
5. I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint _____ at a
steakhouse.
6. I have no money _____ I keep shopping.
7. I have neither done the dishes _____ the laundry.
8. We should bring either pizza _____ cake to the party.

Exercise 2

Pick up 4 coordinating conjunctions and write an independent clause

plus a conjunction. Let another group add another independent
clause to make it a complete sentence.

Example:

 He had been crying all day, yet ..........(the man made him laugh.)