Conjunctions join words, phrases or clauses and they indicate relationships. There are four kinds.
(1) Coordinating Conjunctions: and, or, nor, but, yet, for.
Coordinating Conjunctions join phrases or clauses of equal rank. Independent clauses can stand alone. These have a subject and verb.
Baker and Byrd will confer at noon. (simple addition)
Baker and Byrd will confer at noon, but experts agree they probably won’t agree.
The men must swim or drown.
The men must swim, or find something to keep them afloat.
(2) Correlative Conjunctions are used in pairs. They connect clauses so closely that neither makes sense without the other. The Correlative Conjunctions are both-and, either-or, neither-nor, Not only-but also.
Both Betty and Ann will attend.
Either Betty or Ann will attend.
Not only Betty but also Ann will attend.
(3) Conjunctive Adverbs act like conjunctions but also like adverbs. They are used for transitions. The conjunctive adverbs are also, furthermore, likewise, Moreover, however, nevertheless, still (meaning but), otherwise, therefore, Hence, accordingly.
When using these adverbs, a semi-colon is used.
Example: Wilson failed to understand that the military units could not move against the enemy; however, he realized his mistake by mid-day.
Wilson failed to understand that the military units could not move against the enemy; nevertheless, he kept trying to get the troops to move.
(4) Subordinating Conjunctions introduce dependent or subordinate clauses and join the subordinate clause to the independent clause. A dependent clause depends on the independent clause for its meaning or complete the thought. The Subordinating Conjunctions are because, as, since, where, whence, Although, though, even, if even it, unless, that, so that, in order that, so, That, such that, as, as if, before, until, when, as since.
Examples: Because he left early, he missed refreshments. (The word, “Because,” makes the words, “he left early,” a dependent clause. Because the sentence starts with a dependent clause, a comma separates the dependent from the independent clause, “he missed refreshments.”
If the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed.
Examples: Where we had decided we would wait, they decided to leave early.
Even if Marcus apologizes, I wouldn’t trust him.
(Now, with the dependent clause following the independent clause) I wouldn’t trust him even if Marcus apologizes.
Although we calculated the math correctly, the teacher said we missed the point.
The teacher said we missed the point although we calculated the math correctly.
If she said so, it must be so.
Unless we try harder, we shall never make the team.
