Definition of Conjunction
Definition of
Conjunction (with Examples)
A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases or clauses.
The words and, but, and or are the conjunctions which spring to mind when people think about conjunctions. However, these are just three very common conjunctions from one of the types of conjunction.
The Types of Conjunction
There are three
types of conjunction:
Coordinate Conjunctions
Coordinate conjunctions are normally used to join like with
like. (In other words they join a noun with
another noun, an adjective with
another adjective, and an adverb with
another adverb, etc.)
The most common ones are and, but and or.
Examples of Coordinate Conjunctions
Here are some
examples of coordinate conjunctions (shaded):
·
The comment was blunt but effective.
(Here the conjunction joins two adjectives.)
·
Familiarity breeds
contempt...and children.
(Here the conjunction joins two nouns.)
·
If a man should challenge
me to a duel, I would take him kindly andforgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place to kill
him.
(Here the first
conjunction joins two adverbs (kindly and forgivingly). The second
joins two verbs (take and lead).)
Read more about coordinate conjunctions.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join
alternatives or equal elements. The most common pairs are either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.
Examples of Correlative Conjunctions
Here are some
examples of correlative conjunctions (shaded):
·
I could neither laugh nor cry.
·
She was not
only smart but
also beautiful.
Read more about correlative conjunctions.
Subordinate Conjunctions
Subordinate conjunctions are used to join subordinate clauses to main clauses. Common examples are although, because, since, unless, until, and while.
Examples of Subordinate Conjunctions
Here are some
examples of subordinate conjunctions (shaded):
·
We'll stay here while the weather is fine.
·
I am not attending the
meeting until the game
has finished.
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