Conjunction - Examples and Definition of Conjunction

Definition of Conjunction

Etymologically, the term “conjunction” is derived from an old French term meaning “joining together.” In grammar, a conjunction connects sentences, phrases, clauses, and words. A conjunction can also add meaning to the other words within a sentence. Conjunctions can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or at some point in the middle. Conjunctions are essential to the English language, and their proper usage helps writers improve the effectiveness of their writing.

The most commonly used conjunctions in grammar include:

and
for
but
so
since
unless
yet
before
because
after
wherever
while
whether
neither
though
if
as long as

For instance, Dr. Seuss uses “because” as a conjunction in this line: “You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.” (Random House, by Dr. Seuss)

Types of Conjunction

Three types of conjunction exist in English grammar. Examples of these three types are provided below:

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect two words, two phrases, or two independent or dependent clauses that are similarly constructed (i.e. that contain equal clauses, phrases or words). These conjunctions can be remembered by the acronym “FANBOYS,” which stands for:

Example: “The milkman is running away, and the cat is chasing him.”

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect independent and dependent clauses by uniting them as a subordinating clause. The subordinating clause then functions as an adverb within the sentence, providing answers to questions that arose in the main clause, such as “when” or “why.” A subordinating conjunction fulfills the conditions imposed upon the subsequent subordinate clause.

The most commonly used subordinating conjunctions in the English language include:

although
after
as
as if
as far as
as long as
as though
as soon as
before
because
even though
even if
if
every time
in order that
so
since
so that
though
than
until
unless
when
where
whenever
whereas
while
among others

Example: “Because she had a long day, Hanna decided to take a long drive.” (Answers the question “why.”)

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs. A correlative conjunction is similar to a coordinating conjunction, because both join elements of similar importance together within a sentence. Correlative conjunctions include:

either … or
both … and
neither … nor
not only … but also
whether … so
as much … as

Example: “You either go on a trip or prepare your presentation for the office.”

Examples of Conjunctions in Literature

Example #1: A Farewell to Arms (by Earnest Hemingway)

“Maybe she would pretend that I was her boy that was killed and we would go in the front door and the porter would take off his cap and I would stop at the concierge’s desk and ask for the key and she would stand by the elevator …”

Hemingway has used the coordinating conjunction of “and” between the clauses give above. All of the clauses within this sentence are similarly constructed.

Example #2: Progress and Change (by E. B White)

“I have just been refining the room in which I sit, yet I sometimes doubt that a writer should refine or improve his workroom by so much as a dictionary: one thing leads to another and the first thing you know he has a stuffed chair and is fast asleep in it.”

The above excerpt is an example of a correlative conjunction. The first three clauses are joined by correlative conjunctions as highlighted.

Example #3: Rose Madder (by Stephen King)

“She does not come here to worship or to pray, but she has a sense of rightness and ritual about being here, a sense of duty fulfilled, of some unstated covenant’s renewal.”

These lines present a good example of coordinating conjunctions connecting syntactically equal clauses. Here, the coordinating conjunctions include “or,” “but” and “and.”

Example #4: Animal Farm (by George Orwell)

“As soon as the light in the bedroom went out, there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the far buildings.”

In these lines, Orwell has used the subordinating conjunction, which joins the main clause by introducing a dependent clause at the beginning. Orwell supports the idea presented in the main clause by using the subordinating conjunction “as soon as.”

Functions of Conjunctions

Not only does a conjunction connect nouns, phrases, and clauses, but it also joins together ideas, thoughts, and actions. A conjunction is especially useful when making a list of separate things. In other words, a conjunction adds meaning by joining words together.

If properly used, conjunctions can add to the natural flow of the writing. However, if improperly used, conjunctions may cause the writing to become disjointed, incoherent, or choppy. Conjunctions improve upon sentences, helping writers from all walks of life more effectively get their messages across.