Lesson 5: Conjunctions

UNIT 5 CONJUNCTIONS

1. Coordination
2. Correlation
3. Conjunctive Adverbs
4. Master-slave relationship (Subordination)

FOCUS

What ingredient is missing from the following sentence?

This sentence contains two independent clauses, which require a conjunction between them. Conjunctions are words used to connect words, phrases or clauses. Only the fourth option and is a conjunction. The correct expression of this sentence is:

1. Coordination

Parallelism is the connection between several similar structures. Coordinating conjunctions can join words, phrases, or independent clauses. Coordinating conjunctions express complementary, selective, contrastive, or causal relationships between connected structures.

2. Correlation

Interrelationship refers to the juxtaposition or supplementary relationship between several structures. Correlative conjunctions connect similar structures: words, phrases, or independent clauses. Because correlative conjunctions are composed of two parts, they are also called bipositional conjunctions or paired conjunctions.

In many cases, as well as appears in pairs with and or both…and. At the same time, as well as can also be used alone as a conjunction.

In not only…but also structures, also can be omitted and replaced by as well or too at the end of the clause.

In the not…but structure, the information after not is false, and the information after but is true. In the following sentence, the sentence “a groundhog is a hog (a groundhog is a pig)” is false, and the sentence “a groundhog is a large rodent (a groundhog is a large rodent)” The words are true.

3. Conjunctive Adverbs

Linking adverbs can connect two independent clauses and express the meaning relationship between clauses. Conjunctive adverbs can also serve as transition words between two sentences. Linking adverbs can express complement, explanation, contrast, cause and effect, condition or temporal relationship.

In a complete sentence, a connecting adverb is placed between two independent clauses. Use a semicolon after the first clause and a comma after the connecting adverb. When a connecting adverb is used as a transition word between two sentences, a comma should be added after it and placed at the beginning of the second sentence.

On the one hand…on the other hand is a paired conjunction. on the one hand must be used together with on the other hand. However, on the other hand can be used alone.

The connecting adverbs later, next and then may or may not be followed by a comma.

4. Master-slave relationship (Subordination)

The subject-subordinate relationship refers to the connection between the subordinate clause and the main clause. Subordinating conjunctions connect clauses and express the meaning relationships between them, such as cause-and-effect relationships, contrastive relationships, or temporal order. The subordinating conjunction goes at the beginning of the clause.

Practice

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List of conjunction

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that are equal in importance. Remembered using the acronym FANBOYS:

• For: Indicates reason or purpose, similar to “because.”
  • Example: She brought an umbrella, for it looked like it might rain.
• And: Adds one idea to another.
  • Example: She likes coffee, and he likes tea.
• Nor: Presents an additional negative idea.
  • Example: He doesn’t like coffee, nor does he like tea.
• But: Shows contrast between ideas.
  • Example: I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
• Or: Presents an alternative or choice.
  • Example: We can have pizza, or we can order Chinese food.
• Yet: Indicates a contrast or unexpected result.
  • Example: He studied hard, yet he didn’t pass the exam.
• So: Indicates a consequence or result.
  • Example: She was tired, so she went to bed early.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions join independent clauses with dependent clauses, showing the relationship between them (time, cause, condition, etc.):

• After: Indicates that one action occurs following another.
  • Example: After she finished her homework, she watched TV.
• Although: Introduces a contrast or unexpected result.
  • Example: Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
• As: Shows a simultaneous action or reason.
  • Example: As I was leaving, the phone rang. or She didn’t come as she was busy.
• Because: Indicates the reason or cause.
  • Example: He stayed home because he was feeling sick.
• Before: Indicates that one action occurs prior to another.
  • Example: Finish your work before you go out.
• Even if: Shows a condition that might not be true but is considered.
  • Example: I’ll go for a run even if it’s raining.
• Even though: Highlights a contrast or unexpected result.
  • Example: Even though he’s rich, he lives modestly.
• If: Introduces a condition.
  • Example: If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
• Once: Indicates that an action will happen after another.
  • Example: Once you finish the report, send it to me.
• Since: Can indicate time or reason.
  • Example: I’ve known her since high school. or Since it’s raining, let’s stay inside.
• Though: Introduces a contrast.
  • Example: Though he is young, he is very responsible.
• Unless: Shows a condition under which something will happen.
  • Example: I won’t go unless you come with me.
• Until: Indicates up to the point when something happens.
  • Example: We waited until the train arrived.
• When: Indicates a time something happens.
  • Example: Call me when you get home.
• Whenever: Means “at any time that.”
  • Example: She feels happy whenever she sees her dog.
• Where: Indicates a place or situation.
  • Example: He found his keys where he had left them.
• Whereas: Highlights a contrast between two things.
  • Example: She likes morning runs, whereas he prefers evening walks.
• Whether: Introduces alternatives or choices.
  • Example: I don’t know whether he’ll attend the party or not.
• While: Indicates simultaneous actions or contrast.
  • Example: She studied while he watched TV. or While he is confident, she is shy.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

These work in pairs to link equal elements in a sentence:

• Either…or: Indicates a choice between two possibilities.
  • Example: You can either stay here or come with us.
• Neither…nor: Refers to the absence of both options.
  • Example: She likes neither coffee nor tea.
• Not only…but also: Emphasizes the addition of another quality or item.
  • Example: She is not only smart but also very kind.
• Both…and: Indicates the inclusion of two things.
  • Example: He is both a good teacher and a talented musician.
• Whether…or: Introduces alternatives or conditions.
  • Example: We need to decide whether we go to the beach or stay home.
• Just as…so: Indicates a similarity between two things.
  • Example: Just as the sun rises in the east, so does it set in the west.

4. Conjunctive Adverbs

These conjunctions connect two independent clauses and usually require a semicolon before them:

• However: Shows contrast or contradiction.
  • Example: The presentation was excellent; however, the audio was unclear.
• Therefore: Indicates a result or conclusion.
  • Example: She worked hard; therefore, she earned the promotion.
• Moreover: Adds additional information.
  • Example: He is a talented writer; moreover, he is a skilled editor.
• Consequently: Shows a cause-and-effect relationship.
  • Example: The company lost a major client; consequently, they had to cut costs.
• Otherwise: Indicates an alternative situation.
  • Example: Wear your jacket; otherwise, you might catch a cold.
• Nevertheless: Introduces a contrasting statement.
  • Example: It was cold and rainy; nevertheless, they decided to go hiking.
• Furthermore: Adds emphasis or additional points.
  • Example: She is a dedicated student; furthermore, she always helps her classmates.
• Thus: Indicates a result or conclusion.
  • Example: The experiment failed; thus, they had to start over.
• Meanwhile: Shows something happening at the same time as another event.
  • Example: She was cooking dinner; meanwhile, he set the table.
• Similarly: Indicates that two things are alike or comparable.
  • Example: The first problem was challenging; similarly, the next one required careful thought.
• Hence: Shows a result or conclusion.
  • Example: He missed the deadline; hence, he lost the contract.
• Instead: Indicates a preference or alternative.
  • Example: She didn’t buy the dress; instead, she chose a pair of jeans.

​Common conjunctions:

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses that are grammatically equal.

• and: Adds information.
  • Example: I enjoy reading and writing.
• but: Shows contrast.
  • Example: I like coffee, but I prefer tea.
• or: Presents an alternative or choice.
  • Example: Would you like tea or coffee?
• nor: Connects two negative alternatives.
  • Example: She doesn’t like apples, nor does she like oranges.
• for: Indicates reason (similar to “because”).
  • Example: He went to bed early, for he was tired.
• so: Shows effect or result.
  • Example: It was raining, so we stayed indoors.
• yet: Indicates contrast.
  • Example: It was late, yet I decided to go for a walk.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect an independent clause with a dependent clause, indicating a relationship between the two.

• although: Indicates contrast.
  • Example: Although it was raining, we went hiking.
• because: Indicates reason.
  • Example: She passed the exam because she studied hard.
• since: Indicates time or reason.
  • Example: Since it was late, we decided to go home.
• if: Indicates a condition.
  • Example: We will go to the park if it stops raining.
• when: Indicates time.
  • Example: Call me when you arrive.
• while: Indicates time or contrast.
  • Example: While he enjoys hiking, she prefers swimming.
• until: Indicates time.
  • Example: Stay here until I come back.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to connect equal elements in a sentence.

• both…and: Indicates that two things are true.
  • Example: Both the movie and the book were excellent.
• either…or: Indicates a choice between two options.
  • Example: You can have either coffee or tea.
• neither…nor: Indicates that two things are not true.
  • Example: She likes neither pizza nor pasta.
• not only…but also: Indicates that two things are true, emphasizing the second.
  • Example: He is not only smart but also hardworking.
• whether…or: Indicates a choice between two alternatives.
  • Example: I can’t decide whether to go out or stay home.

Examples in Context

Understanding the function of these conjunctions can help you create complex and nuanced sentences, which is valuable for the TOEFL. For instance, using subordinating conjunctions effectively can demonstrate your ability to construct complex ideas:

• Although the task was challenging, I completed it on time.
• I will attend the conference if I can find a suitable hotel.