Conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, or clauses together in a sentence. They help to establish relationships between different parts of a sentence and show how they are connected.
Example: “I like both tea and coffee.”
Explanation: In this sentence, “and” is a conjunction. It connects the two nouns, “tea” and “coffee,” to indicate that the speaker enjoys both of them. The conjunction “and” joins similar elements together.
Conjunctions can occur in various forms and can be categorized into different types:
- Coordinating Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance.
Examples:
- And (e.g., “I like coffee and tea.”)
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- But (e.g., “She is tired, but she keeps going.”)
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- Or (e.g., “Would you like cake or ice cream?”)
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- Nor (e.g., “He neither laughed nor cried.”)
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- For (e.g., “I bought a gift for my friend.”)
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- Subordinating Conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to an independent clause, making the dependent clause dependent on the main clause.
Examples:
- Although (e.g., “Although it was raining, we went for a walk.”)
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- Because (e.g., “He stayed at home because he was sick.”)
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- If (e.g., “If you study hard, you will pass the exam.”)
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- While” (e.g., “She read a book while waiting for the train.”)
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- Since” (e.g., “He has been working hard since morning.”)
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- Correlative Conjunctions: Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join words or groups of words with similar grammatical functions.
Examples:
- Either…or (e.g., “You can either go to the party or stay home.”)
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- Both…and (e.g., “She is both smart and kind.”)
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- Neither…nor (e.g., “Neither Tom nor Sarah attended the meeting.”)
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- Not only…but also (e.g., “He not only sings but also plays the guitar.”)
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- Conjunctive Adverbs: Conjunctive adverbs are used to connect independent clauses and show relationships between ideas. They can also function as adverbs.
Examples:
- However (e.g., “She loves chocolate; however, she tries to limit her intake.”)
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- Therefore (e.g., “He studied hard; therefore, he passed the exam.”)
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- Meanwhile (e.g., “She was at work; meanwhile, he was enjoying a vacation.”)
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Conjunctions play a crucial role in connecting and coordinating different parts of a sentence, allowing for a smooth flow of ideas and information. They help create cohesive and coherent sentences.