Conjunctions

Before you learn what a conjunction is, you must be able to identify an independent and a dependent clause.  Independent clauses are able to stand alone as complete sentences.  An independent clause only requires a subject and a verb, but it must have at least a subject and a verb. A dependent clause is a sentence that has a subject and a verb that has been modified with a preposition (e.g., over, around, beside).  A dependent clause cannot be a stand alone sentence, and therefore is NOT an independent clause. 

Conjunctions are words that join independent clauses together.There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, and subordinating. 

• Coordinating conjunctions include: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. You can remember these words by remembering the acronym (FANBOYS). 

Quinn ate four gram crackers and two hot dogs. (And)

You can play on the soccer team or you can take a drama class. (Or)

I want to go swimming, but it’s raining outside. (But)

Jami wants to make necklaces, so she can sell them at the carnival. (So)  

• Correlative conjunctions are two or more word conjunctions.  These pairs of conjunctions connect words or groups of words in equal ways.  Some examples of correlative conjunctions are:

Both my sister and my brother like to read before bedtime. (Both… and)

Either you will do your homework now, or you won’t watch T.V. for a week. (Either … or)

My grandmother could neither read nor write, but she was very wise.

Not only does Mr. Baker teach honors physics, but also AP biology. (Not only… but also)

Greg could not decide whether to live with his parents after college or to get an apartment. (Whether…or)