Conjunctions connect words or parts of sentences. It is important for students to learn how to properly use conjunctions in their writing. Conjunctions contribute to the flow (i.e. the readability) of sentences. There are 3 main types of conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, and subordinating.
Coordinating Conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions connect equal parts of sentences. That is, they connect words to words, phrases to phrases, and clauses to clauses.
For example:
John and David went to the soccer game. (noun to noun)
John spent the day practicing soccer and doing his homework. (phrase to phrase)
David didn't like baseball, so he decided to play soccer instead. (clause to clause)
Some coordinating conjunctions are: and, or, but, for, so, nor, yet.
Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions also connect equal parts together. Correlative conjunctions come in pairs and work together.
For example:
Either David or John would play forward.
John wanted to play both forward and defence.
Some examples of correlative conjunctions are: both-and, either-or, neither-nor, not only-but also.
Subordinating Conjunctions Subordinating conjunctions connect dependent or subordinate clauses with the independent or main clause. The subordinate clauses act as adverbs or nouns.
For example:
David quit baseball because he didn't like it.
He later realized he should have tried harder while he was playing.
Now he had to figure out what position he should play next.
1. Because he didn't like it answers the question Why did David quit? Therefore the clause is acting as an adverb. 2. While he was playing answered the question when he should have tried harder. This too is an adverb clause. 3. What position he should play next answers the question what he had to figure out, so this is a noun clause.
These clauses aren't complete sentences. They cannot stand alone! The must be connected to the main clauses. The subordinating conjunctions act as the link that connects the subordinate clauses to the main clause.
Some subordinate conjunctions are: after, even if, where, although, because, until, as, before, when, while, as if, if, since, unless.
Students should practice writing sentences with these three types of conjunctions so that their writing will have a smoother flow and become easier to read.
