Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. They are essential for building complex sentences because they show the relationship between the different parts of the sentence.
Here's a breakdown:
Types of Conjunctions:
* Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. They show how the parts of the sentence relate in terms of addition, contrast, consequence, etc.
* Example: "The sun was shining, but the air was cold." (contrast)
* Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, while, since, if, unless, when) connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. They show how the dependent clause relates to the main idea.
* Example: "Because it was raining, we stayed inside." (reason)
Let me know if you want more examples or want to explore a specific type of conjunction.