Conjunctions: What to Know

Conjunctions are words or groups of words that are used to connect elements of equal status in an expression. They link different grammatical elements of equal status such as words, phrases or groups, and clauses. As words that are used to connect equally ranked elements, conjunctions are grouped into three namely;

1. Coordinating conjunctions

2. Subordinating conjunction

3. Correlating conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions 

Coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used to link elements in an expression that are of equal status on the grammatical rank scale. The coordinating conjunctions are known as FANBOYS, that is:

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. For example;

1. John and Martha are friends.

2. The boys or the girls are to blame.

3. She did not attend the party nor did she see them off.

4. He slept early so they snuck out of the house.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used to connect subordinate clauses to independent clauses. Unlike coordinating conjunctions which connect elements of equal grammatical rank, subordinating conjunctions do not connect element of equal rank rather they introduce elements that function as subordinates to the elements they are attached to. That is, they introduce subordinate clauses linking them to independent clauses. Some of them include; Because, Until, Even though, However, etc. For example;

1. Before he came back, the dishes were washed.

2. Until you pay up, you will not be allowed to participate.

3. Even though she cried, the lecturer didn't pay attention to her.

4. When she looked back, they had left. 

Correlating Conjunctions 

Correlating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used to show the relationship that exist between elements in an expression. They basically show how elements in an expression are related as is implied in its name 'correlation'. It shows how elements correlate with each other. Some examples include; either..or, neither..nor, both..and, not only..but also, etc. For example;

1. Either the boys or the girls will participate.

2. Not only the wounded dogs but also the hungry cats were fed.

3. Both the upper ranks and the lower ranks were humbled quickly.

4. Neither the boy who comes from afar nor the girl who lives nearby came on time.

So conjunctions are words or groups of words that link elements in an expression either equally ranked (coordinating), subordinating, or showing the relationship that exists between elements in an expression.