Parts of Speech · Today with Connie

What's Your Function?

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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 conjunction 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. Try and, the go-anywhere FANBOYS word. 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 conjunction, then let so, but, or and say how the two thoughts relate.

In a sentence

Two independent clauses, one FANBOYS word, the comma already in place; choose the conjunction that names the relationship.

The witness arrived early, and the interview started on time.

Connie loves a clean join, for a clear sentence is a kindness to the reader.

Library

Now you try

A conjunction 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 conjunction 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 conjunctions 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 conjunction 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 conjunction and name its kind.

In a sentence

Find each conjunction 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.

The Conjunction Says the Relationship

Every conjunction carries a meaning. And adds, but contrasts, and so gives a result; because gives a reason, and although admits a difference. Same two ideas, a different conjunction, a different meaning.

In a sentence

Each conjunction names a different relationship: so gives a result, but shows a contrast, and because gives a reason.

I loved the jacket, so I tried on the matching tie.

The jacket fit well, but the sleeves were a touch long.

Because the colors matched, the jacket and the tie belonged together.

Now you try

The conjunction you pick gives the reason behind the main idea. You could try because or since. Each one names that reason.

What's Your Function?

In a sentence

For each conjunction, name two things: what it joins, and the relationship it sets.

We were tired, but we kept going.

She studied hard, so she passed.

You can pick the cake or the pie.

Now you try

The two thoughts pull against each other. You could try but or yet. Each one admits the contrast.

Sentence Combining

Two short ideas can become one. A coordinating conjunction links two equal ideas; a subordinating conjunction leans one on the other. The conjunction says how they relate, so so names a result while because names a cause.

In a sentence

Three ways to combine the same two ideas. The first simply adds, the second shows a result, and the third leans one idea on the other. The conjunction makes the difference.

The bell rang, and the hallway emptied.

The bell rang, so everyone filed out.

Because the bell rang, the hallway emptied.

Now you try

Try so. A coordinating conjunction like so shows that one idea leads to the other.

Repairing the Splice with FANBOYS

In a sentence

Each repaired sentence had only a comma before; the FANBOYS word you add names the relationship the two ideas already had.

The line was long, but the suspect waited politely.

Connie spotted the missing conjunction, so the run-on finally read clean.

Now you try

Try so, for, or but. So names a consequence, for names a cause, but names a contrast. Pick the relationship the two ideas really have.