Here's a breakdown of how conjunctions work:
Types of Conjunctions:
* Coordinating Conjunctions: These connect elements of equal grammatical rank (words, phrases, or clauses). They are the most common type and are easy to remember with the acronym FANBOYS:
* For
* And
* Nor
* But
* Or
* Yet
* So
Example: *He went to the store and bought milk.*
* Subordinating Conjunctions: These connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. They introduce the dependent clause and show how it relates to the main clause. Some common subordinating conjunctions include:
* after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, while
Example: *Because it was raining, we stayed inside.*
* Correlative Conjunctions: These come in pairs and connect elements of equal grammatical rank. They emphasize the relationship between the connected elements. Some common correlative conjunctions include:
* both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, whether...or
Example: *Both the dog and the cat were hungry.*
How Conjunctions Work:
* Show Relationship: They clarify the relationship between the connected elements (e.g., contrast, addition, cause-and-effect).
* Improve Clarity: By linking ideas, they make writing clearer and easier to understand.
* Add Variety: They prevent repetitive sentence structures and make writing more interesting.
Examples:
* Simple sentence: *The dog barked.*
* Sentence with coordinating conjunction: *The dog barked and ran away.*
* Sentence with subordinating conjunction: *When the dog barked, the cat ran away.*
* Sentence with correlative conjunction: *Both the dog and the cat ran away.*
By understanding how conjunctions work, you can create more complex and interesting sentences that express your ideas effectively.