What Is A Conjunction?

What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses.

Think of them as gluing words. They glue words, phrases, and clauses together.

If you would like to have your friend bring music and snacks to your party, it's pretty hard to do it without a conjunction.

You could say, "Bring music. Bring snacks."

But it's more efficient to say, "Bring music and snacks."

And it's more polite to say, "Please bring music and snacks." :)

Do you see how the conjunction and glues the words music and snacks together?

Chocolate and almonds taste delicious.

Words, Phrases, & Clauses

Okay, read this question and then try to answer it with your eyes closed. What is a conjunction?

How did you do? Did you remember that they join words, phrases, and clauses? Let's look at a few more examples.

Words: silver and gold
Phrases: over the river and through the woods
Clauses: Marianne planted a flower, and she watched it grow.

In all of those examples, we used the conjunction and, one of the most common conjunctions.

But, of course, there are many more conjunctions out there.

All conjunctions perform the same basic function (gluing things together), but there are three types of conjunctions, and you'll be learning about them next!

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

3. Correlative Conjunctions

To see a list of these conjunctions, click here.

Coordinating Conjunctions

There are only seven of these!

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Some people remember these with the acronym FANBOYS. They glue together sentence elements that are the same.

Two words: pie or cake
Two phrases: in the car or on the bike
Two independent clauses: You must study, or you won't learn grammar.

This sentence diagram shows a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses. Click here to learn more about diagramming coordinating conjunctions.

Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions glue dependent adverb clauses to independent clauses.

A dependent adverb clause is group of words with a subject and a verb that functions as a single adverb. Click on that link above to learn more about them if you'd like. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions.

Subordinating Conjunctions (Adverb Clauses)

unless you are allergic

whenever I see your cat

since you are coming

Those are not complete sentences. They all have subjects (you, I, you) and verbs (are, see, are coming), but since they cannot stand alone, they are subordinate clauses.

An independent clause is also a group of words with a subject and a verb. But, unlike a subordinate clause, an independent clause can stand alone.

Independent Clauses

I will bring my cat.

I sneeze.

I won't bring my cat.

These are all complete sentences. They all have subjects (I), verbs (will bring, sneeze, won't bring), and they can stand alone.

Subordinating conjunctions let us join subordinate adverb clauses with independent clauses.

I will bring my cat unless you are allergic.

Whenever I see your cat, I sneeze.

Since you are coming, I won't bring my cat.

You can learn more about diagramming dependent adverb clauses and subordinating conjunctions here!

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs (either...or, both...and), but they have the same function as coordinating conjunctions. That means that they join things that are the same.

Both David and I are allergic to cats.

Either Mom or Dad will pick you up.

He is both intelligent and good-natured.

If you want to teach or learn grammar the easy way, then follow a step-by-step program that clearly lays everything out for you and allows you to move at your own pace. The Get Smart program is presented in a meaningful sequence, so it's not an overwhelming mishmash of information. Before you know it, you'll be a grammar and sentence diagramming pro!

The whole program is online, so you have instant access to these lessons and videos. It's easy and fun. You can get it at www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com/daily-diagrams.html

Keep learning and have fun!

Now you can answer all of those people who keep asking you, "Excuse me, what is a conjunction?"

Elizabeth O'Brien is the creator of the Grammar Revolution step-by-step grammar and sentence diagramming programs. Her programs are guaranteed not only to teach you grammar, but also to give you more confidence in your communication skills.

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