Conjunctions, as their name implies, are words that join:
They also indicate the relationship between those words.
The most important strategies as you start to write longer sentences is to make those relationships between the two sentences.
The four different types of conjunction are:
Type | Join | Relationship |
---|---|---|
coordinating | words or word groups | logical |
correlative | words or word groups | logical |
adverbial | sentences, or phrases, independent clauses | logical |
subordinate | sentences, or phrases | subordinate |
Coordinating conjunctions indicate the logical Relationship between sentences. They are used to join words phrases and clauses (See compound sentence) They are extremely versatile. They are easily remembered with the acronym FAN BOYS.
Coordinating Conjunction | Relationship | |
---|---|---|
F | for | reason |
A | and | addition |
N | nor | not another option |
B | but | contrast |
O | or | another option |
Y | yet | contrasting addition |
S | so | result |
Example:
correlative conjunctions work in pairs. So these include phrases, and constructions that will start out,
The most common one is the not only … but also.
Example:
Adverbial conjunctions are also known as transition.
Unlike coordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions that link words and word groups, adverbial conjunctions join independent clauses.
If your paragraph lacks transitions, use them to help you create a smooth, logical flow of ideas in your paragraph. Transitions not only provide a smooth shift from one idea to the next, but they will also create logical relationships within your topic. Each of these words or phrases will help you to generate more information and supporting details. In addition, using these words will make your paragraph easier to read.
Adverbial conjunctions tell the reader the relationship between the two main clauses.
Adverbial conjunctions are going to create a logical relationship between two sentences, or phrases. A good way to remember a nice list of these is remember the acronym, HOT SHOT CAT
H | However | S | Similarly | C | Consequently |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
O | Otherwise | H | Hence | A | Also |
T | Therefore | O | On the other hand | T | Then |
T | Thus |
There are many of these adverbial conjunctions:
The list goes on and on.
Below are common adverbial conjunctions organized by the relationship they specify.
Addition | Emphasis | Comparison or Contrast | Cause or Effect | Time/Sequence | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
in addition | in fact | however | as a result | finally | for example |
furthermore | indeed | nevertheless | consequently | meanwhile | in this case |
moreover | surprisingly | nonetheless | hence | next | such as |
further | in any case | otherwise | therefore | first, second, third, etc | notably |
lastly | certainly | in contrast | thus | then | in particular |
as a matter of fact | in comparison | at this point | |||
on the other hand | |||||
whereas | |||||
similarly |
Example:
Subordinate conjunctions are a word or group of words that introduces a subordinate, dependent clause. See also complex sentence
Whereas adverbial conjunctions are going to create a logical relationship between two sentences, or phrases, Subordinate conjunctions actually change and subordinate one type of a sentence to another one.
Subordinate conjunctions are fairly simple words.
Subordination just means that it reduces its position in relationship. You have one sentence that's more important, or one group of words, is more important than another group of words.
Below are common subordinating conjunctions organized by the relationship they specify:
Cause or Effect | Concession | Condition | Comparison or Contrast | Purpose | Space or Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
as | though | if | while | in order that | before |
because | although | since | as | so that | since |
since | even though | unless | rather than | once | |
even if | when | after | |||
whenever | while | ||||
when | |||||
until | |||||
whereas |
Example: