Grammar Smart 3rd Edition - Princeton Review 2014

G. Conjunctions
Part 1. The Names of Things

Conjunctions connect words or parts of sentences—conjoin means to join together. We cover parts of sentences (phrases and clauses) in Part 2; you may want to flip back to the section after you understand how to recognize phrases and clauses. There are thre categories of conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Also known as matchmaking conjunctions, these words connect equal parts of sentences In other words, they connect words to words, phrases to phrases, and clauses to clauses.

Wanda and Max were late to the party.

(noun to noun)

Wanda spent the day playing the sax or walking the dog.

(phrase to phrase)

Max hated his job, but he couldn’t afford to quit.

(clause to clause)

List of matchmaking conjunctions: and, or, but, for, nor, so, yet.

Correlative Conjunctions

Also known as seesaw conjunctions, these words also connect equal parts together (the are really a subcategory of matchmaking conjunctions). The difference is that seesa conjunctions are really two conjunctions in one.

Either Wanda or Max would get promoted.

Wanda wanted not only fame and riches but also love.

List of seesaw conjunctions: both-and, either-or, neither-nor, not only-but also.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Also known as linking conjunctions, these words connect dependent, or subordinate clauses with the independent, or main, clause. The subordinate clauses act as nouns or a adverbs.

Max quit his job because he was bored.

He later realized he should have waited until he had a new job.

Now he had to decide what to do next.

Because he was bored answers the question Why did Max quit? so the clause is functioning as an adverb. Until he had a new job answers the question How long should Max have waited? so it, too, is an adverb clause. What to do next answers the question What did Max have to decide? so it is a noun clause. These clauses aren’t sentences themselves—they can’t stand alone. They need to be connected to the main clauses Max quit his job and He later realized he should have waited. The linking conjunction acts as the link, connecting the subordinate clause to the main clause.

Quick Quiz #12

Identifying Conjunctions

In each of the following sentences, underline the matchmaking or seesaw conjunction and circle the words, phrases, or clauses connected by the conjunction.

1. Reginald loved bathing and shaving.

2. He was obsessed with cleanliness, but his closet was a mess.

3. Reginald not only took four showers every day but also washed his clothes twice.

4. He was either afraid of germs or afraid of looking unkempt.

5. Reginald spent yesterday and today pruning his face of every stray hair.

Linking conjunctions:

after   although   as    as if

as long  as because   before     but that

even if   except that   ever since if

if only   in case    just as    since

unless   until    when    whenever

where   wherever   while

Quick Quiz #13

More on Identifying Conjunctions

In each of the following sentences, note the linking conjunction and note the subordinate clause.

1. Reginald was late to work because he washed his hair 16 times.

2. Since his boss was also obsessed with cleanliness, Reginald was not reprimanded for being late.

3. Reginald will not have much of a social life as long as he considers everyone too cavalier regarding hygiene.

4. Until he cleans that messy closet, he will not sleep well at night.

5. Reginald is obsessed with filth because he does not want to think about anything else.