Conjunction
A word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause (e.g. and, but, if.
Definition of a Conjunction
A conjunction, according to the Cambridge University Dictionary, this defined as “a word such as ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘while’, or ‘although’ that connects words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence.”
A conjunction is “word that joins words, phrases or sentences, for example and, but or so”, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. The Collins Dictionary gives a slightly different definition. According to it, a conjunction is “any word or group of words, other than a relative pronoun, that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Types of Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions – used to combine two independent clauses.
(Examples of coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.)
Subordinating conjunctions – used to combine an independent clause and a dependent clause. (Examples of subordinating conjunctions are if, although, though, after, before, because, as if, unless, until, when, while, etc.)
Correlative conjunctions – used to combine two phrases or parts of the sentence which have equal importance within a sentence. Examples of correlative conjunctions are not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, whether…or, rather…or, if…then, etc.
Examples of Conjunctions
In the following examples, the conjunctions are in bold for easy recognition:
I tried to hit the nail but hit my thumb instead.
I have two goldfish and a cat.
I’d like a bike for commuting to work.
You can have peach ice cream or a brownie sundae.
Neither the black dress northe gray one looks right on me.
My dad always worked hard so we could afford the things we wanted.
I try very hard in school yet I am not receiving good grades.
Conjunction Exercises
1. My brother loves animals. He just brought a puppy __________ a kitten home with him.
1. But
2. Or
3. Yet
4. And
Answer: 4. My brother loves animals. He just brought a puppy and a kitten home with him.
2. I’d like to thank you ______ the lovely gift.
1. Or
2. For
3. And
4. Yet
Answer: 2. I’d like to thank you for the lovely gift.
3. I want to go for a hike _____ I have to go to work today.
1. But
2. Yet
3. Or
4. For
Answer: 1. I want to go for a hike but I have to go to work today.
4. They do not smoke, _____ do they play cards.
1. And
2. Or
3. Nor
4. Yet
Answer: 3. They do not smoke, nor do they play cards.
5. I’m getting good grades _________ I study every day.
1. Or
2. Yet
3. But
4. Because
Answer: 4. I’m getting good grades because I study every day.