1. Joining Words and Phrases:
* Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS): These join elements of equal grammatical rank. They include:
* For
* And
* Nor
* But
* Or
* Yet
* So
* Example: "I like apples and oranges."
* Subordinating Conjunctions: These connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing the relationship between them. Some examples include:
* Because, since, although, though, while, if, unless, until, after, before.
* Example: "Although I was tired, I stayed up late to finish the project."
2. Showing Relationships:
* Conjunctions express the relationship between the connected elements:
* Addition: and, also, besides, furthermore, moreover
* Contrast: but, however, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand
* Cause and Effect: because, since, so, therefore, consequently
* Time: when, while, after, before, since, until
* Condition: if, unless, provided that
* Purpose: so that, in order that
3. Creating Complex Sentences:
* Conjunctions allow you to combine simple sentences into more complex ones, creating a flow of ideas and enriching your writing.
Examples:
* "I went to the store, but I forgot to buy milk." (Contrast)
* "Because it was raining, we stayed inside." (Cause and effect)
* "I will go to the party if you go." (Condition)
In summary: Conjunctions act like glue, holding together different parts of a sentence, revealing the relationship between them, and adding complexity and clarity to your writing.