Parts of Speech · Today with Connie

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I'm Connie, and I join words, phrases, and clauses. Come on in, and let's bring it all together.

Meet the Conjunctions!

A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses. The coordinating conjunctions, the FANBOYS, join pieces of equal importance; correlative conjunctions work in matched pairs; and subordinating conjunctions lean one clause on another. Whichever you pick, it connects and names the relationship between the ideas.

One joiner links two words, one links two phrases, and one links two whole ideas.

Savannah and Roxanne ate cookies and cake.

Did you find your keys on the table or in your pocket?

I've never met Julian, but he seems nice.

Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction joins words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. The seven coordinating conjunctions are FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. When joining independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction.

In a sentence

One FANBOYS word joins two words, one joins two phrases, and one joins two complete thoughts.

Should I wear shorts or pants?

Paige dove over the hedge and onto her lawn.

Rolo is my favorite cat, for he always snuggles with me.

Library

Now you try

A FANBOYS word joins these two phrases into one. You could try and, or, or but. The FANBOYS are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Joining Complete Thoughts

A FANBOYS word can join two complete thoughts into one sentence. A complete thought, or independent clause, makes sense on its own. Put a comma before the joiner, then let so, but, or and say how the two thoughts relate.

In a sentence

Each FANBOYS word changes the meaning. The comma is already in place; you choose the joiner.

I wanted to eat, so I went to a restaurant.

Rolo is my favorite cat, for he always snuggles with me.

Library

Now you try

A joiner can tie two complete thoughts together. You could try and, but, or so. Notice how the meaning changes with each one.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs that work together: either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, both/and, whether/or, as/as. They join words or phrases of equal importance. Use parallel structure - words following each conjunction should have the same grammatical form.

In a sentence

Each two-part joiner sets its halves around the words it links: neither with nor, not only with but also.

I am neither happy nor sad right now.

Gavin not only plays the violin but also composes his own music.

Now you try

Some joiners travel in pairs, so let's finish this one. Either always pairs with or.

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to an independent clause and shows their relationship. Common types include time (when, while, after, before, until), cause/reason (because, since), condition (if, unless, even though), contrast (although), and place (where).

In a sentence

The subordinating conjunction starts the clause that leans on the main idea, and that clause can come before or after it.

Since you do not like pickles, I took them off your sandwich.

Now that Felipe is here, we can start the meeting.

Now you try

A subordinating conjunction leans one clause on another. You could try because, after, or since. Each one shows how the clauses connect.

Identifying Conjunctions

One sentence can carry more than one kind of joiner at once. A coordinating word like and, a subordinating word like because, and a correlative pair like not only can all work together. Find each joiner and name its kind.

In a sentence

Find each joiner and name its kind: the coordinating and, the subordinating because, and the correlative not only and but also.

Sam will buy apples, cinnamon, and sugar at the store because he not only likes baking but also likes eating the food he bakes.

Now you try

A coordinating conjunction joins the last two items in a list. You could try and. A FANBOYS word does this job.