Conjunction

A conjunction is a word that is used to connect words, phrases, and clauses. There
are many conjunctions in the English language, but some common ones
include and, or, but, because, for, if, and when.

There are three basic types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating,

and correlative.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

This type of conjunction is used to connect items that are grammatically equal: two
words, two phrases, or two independent clauses. There are seven coordinating
conjunctions in English, and you can remember them using the mnemonic device
FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. A conjunction of this type is placed
between the items that it links together.

Examples:

 I hate to waste a drop of gas, for it is very expensive these days.

 The data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews.
 Bill refuses to eat peas, nor will he touch carrots.
 He was clever but lazy.
 I don’t like to run or swim.
 The results were undeniably intriguing yet ultimately inconclusive.
 I am a vegetarian, so I don’t eat any meat.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

This type of conjunction includes words like because, if, although, since, until,

and while. A subordinating conjunction is used to introduce a dependent clause.

In contrast to an independent clause, a dependent clause (also known as a

subordinate clause) is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but
cannot stand as a complete sentence on its own. A dependent clause does not
express a complete idea, so it must always be attached to an independent clause.
The subordinating conjunction defines the relationship between the clauses.

Examples:

 Because I woke up late this morning. I went to school without eating breakfast.
 Because I woke up late this morning, I went to school without eating breakfast.
 I went to school without eating breakfast because I woke up late this morning.
 I woke up late this morning is an independent clause, but the subordinating
conjunction because turns it into a dependent clause: Because I woke up late this
morning does not finish a complete thought. It must be joined to an independent
clause to form a grammatically correct sentence.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

This type of conjunction always comes in a pair and is used to join grammatically
equal elements in a sentence. Common pairs include either … or, neither … nor, not
only … but also, and both … and. In most cases, no comma should be used
between the two elements.

Examples:

 Her book on the Vietnam War drew not only from interviews with other
survivors but also from her own experiences in the conflict.

Correlative conjunctions must use parallel structure, which means the two elements
should take the same grammatical form.

Examples:

 She planned to collect data by either using an online survey or phone interviews.

 She planned to collect data by either using an online survey or conducting
phone interviews.

Assessment:

Title: Fill in the Blanks

Directions: Complete the sentences by using the provided conjunctions in the box
below.

1. She usually eats at home, ________ she likes cooking.

2. _______ he speaks seldom, he says meaningful words.
3. She is very funny _______ he is boring.
4. I am very hungry, _______ the fridge is empty.
5. She speaks three languages _______ Spanish.
6. Jack is completely fine ________ his father.
7. She came first. _______ she got a good set.
8. They can listen to music _______ they disturb nobody.
9. You don’t need to go _______ you want to.
10. ________ I see you I am better.
 Because Unlike But
Although Therefore Unless
Yet Provided Since
Besides Whereas So

Activities in Conjunction:

Title: Bingo Conjunction Games

Directions: The teacher will divide the class into five (5) groups then each group will
have a Bingo Conjunction Card. Once the teacher calls out a word from the Conjunction
Card, the first group who can construct a sentence using that Conjunction can mark the
word in their card. The activity will continue unless a group has completed the whole
Conjunction Card.

YET BUT UNLESS

UNLIKE ALTHOUGH SO

SINCE BECAUSE WHEREAS

Title: Ticking Game

Directions: The teacher will ask the students to pass an object around the classroom.
There will be a timer set for a minute or play a piece of music, and when the timer goes
off or the music stops, the student holding that object has to complete the challenge.
Two pictures will be shown to the students, and ask them to use a conjunction to join
the two things together. For example, a banana and an apple. The students will have to
make a sentence using a conjunction such as:

 I like to eat apples but not bananas

 My mother prepared some bananas for dinner, but I prefer apples.