Conjunction

Conjunction

A conjunction (also called a connective or linking word) is a word such as and, because, but, for, if, or, when etc.

They join thoughts, actions and ideas, as well as clauses and phrases.

There are three types of conjunction.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, and independent clauses. The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can learn these words by using the mnemonic word FANBOYS.

Mnemonic (حافظے میں مدد دینے والا)

F	For
A	And
B	But
Y	Yet
N	Nor
O	Or
S	So

Word joins Word

→ Yesterday, he brought apples and mangoes.

→ I will buy laptop and watch.

Phrase joins phrase

→ You may meet me at my office or at my home.

Clause joins clauses

When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction:

→ I go to the park every Sunday, for I love to watch the ducks on the lake.
→ I always take a book to read, yet I never seem to turn a single page.
→ They needed a place to focus, so they packed up their belongings and went to the library.

If the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really necessary:

→ He is rich so he helps people.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions such as "because, since, although, until, as, while, and after" connect a dependent clause to an independent clause to explain the relationship between the two clauses and highlight the independent clause. For example see the table.

Independent clause	Dependent clause
make sure your room is clean	before you leave.
The house was a mess	after the party we had last night.
they will buy a laptop	because they need it.
I will go there	if he invites me.
They will inform us	when they come to know.

If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma (,) before the independent clause.

Dependent clause	Independent clause
Because it was raining,	they had to stop the transportation.
Before you leave,	make sure your room is clean.

A dependent clause "depends" on an independent clause. It cannot come alone. Imagine that a person says, “Before you leave." What do you understand? Nothing! Other than a main or independent clause can come without a dependant clause. You will identify very well if a person says, “They had to stop the transportation.”

≫ Dependent clause is also called subordinate clause.

≫ Independent clause is also called main clause.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs that work together.

Some are “neither/nor”, "either/or", "such/that", "not only/but also".

For example:

→ You can have either coffee or tea.

→ She not only plays the guitar but also the drums.

→ He might use either laptop or mobile.