The document provides a comprehensive guide to conjunctions in English, detailing their definitions, types, and examples. It covers coordinating, subordinate, correlative conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs, highlighting their roles in joining words, phrases, and clauses. The presentation concludes with a quiz to reinforce understanding of conjunctions and their usage.

1. Conjunctions
by: Amy E. Sanders
edited by: The UWC Staff
(© DBU University Writing Center)

2. Table of Contents
List of Conjunctions………………….........slide 3
What is a conjunction?..............................slide 4
Types of Conjunctions…………….....slides 5-13
Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinate Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctive Adverbs
Quiz and Answers…………………....slide 14-15

3. tha
n
although
and
for
then
since
wherever
nor
whetherwhile
before
because
even though
All of these words, and many more,
are conjunctions!!!
but
or
yet
so
until
wher
e
if
Let us take a closer
unless

4. What is a conjunction?
Conjunction is the name for those common words
that are used to join (conjoin) parts of sentences. Also,
conjunctions may be used to begin certain sentences.
There are two different types of conjunctions:
coordinating conjunctions and subordinating
conjunctions.
Conjunctions sometimes work in pairs and are called
correlative conjunctions.
Conjunctive adverbs are also frequently used to
provide logical connections in sentences.

5. Coordinating Conjunctions
These conjunctions are seven very common words.
They are very small, made up of three or fewer
letters.
When to Use Each Coordinating Conjunction:
Reason Coordinating Conjunction
To communicate addition and
To communicate contrast but, yet
To communicate a result/effect so
To communicate a reason/cause for
To communicate a choice or
To communicate a negative choice nor
Use them between two independent clauses.

6. Ex. He only wears striped ties and polka dotted bow
ties. ( And joins two words.)
Ex. The shoes were not blue suede nor black leather.
(Nor joins two phrases.)
Ex. It wasn’t a costume party, yet many came dressed
as literary villains. (Yet joins two independent clauses.)
Coordinating Conjunctions cont….
Coordinating conjunctions are used to join words,
phrases, and independent clauses.
Examples of coordinating conjunctions in sentences:

7. More Coordinating
Conjunctions...
These are likely used less often; however, they
serve an important function.
When to Use Each Coordinating Conjunction:
Reason Coordinating Conjunction
To communicate additional consequently
information furthermore
however
indeed
moreover
nevertheless
then
therefore
Use them between two independent clauses.

8. Ex. He only wears brown wingtips; consequently, he
does not wear white socks. ( Consequently joins two
independent clauses.)
Ex. The shoes were not suede; however, they were
leather. (However joins two independent clauses.)
Ex. It was not a Halloween party; nevertheless, many
came dressed in costumes. (nevertheless joins two
independent clauses.)
Coordinating Conjunctions cont….
These coordinating conjunctions are used to join
independent clauses.
Examples of coordinating conjunctions in sentences:

9. Subordinate Conjunctions
When to Use Common Subordinate Conjunctions:
Reason Subordinate Conjunction
Regarding time after, before, once, since,
until, when, whenever, while
To communicate a reason/cause as, because, since
To communicate a result/effect in order that, so, so that, that
To communicate a condition if, even if, unless
To communicate contrast although, even though,
though, whereas
Regarding location where, wherever
Regarding a choice than, whether
These conjunctions are used to express relationships
between a dependent and an independent clause.

10. Subordinate Conjunctions cont….
Subordinate conjunctions often begin a dependent
clause. If the dependent clause begins or interrupts the
sentence, then it is separated from the independent
clause by a comma.
Examples of subordinate conjunctions in sentences:
Ex. Once she found the perfect broach, she purchased
three outfits to match it. (Once demonstrates a time context. A
comma is used because the conjunction begins the sentence.)
Ex. He wore the top hat wherever he went. (Wherever
demonstrates a location context. Though wherever begins the
dependent clause, no comma is used because it does not begin the
sentence or interrupt the sentence.)

11. Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are two separate
conjunctions that are often in sentences together.
Common Correlative Conjunctions and Examples:
both, and Ex. Both maroon and gray accent nicely.
either, or Ex. I like to wear either pants or capris.
neither, nor Ex. Neither the shirt nor the jacket fit.
not only, but (also) Ex. Not only one button fell off, but all of
them.
whether, or Ex. Whether or not you wear nice clothes,
you have to wear clothes.
not, so much as Ex. It was not that his clothes were
flamboyant so much as they were
florid.

12. Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs provide connections and
transitions that clarify or limit the meaning of words.
When to Use Common Conjunctive Adverbs:
Reason Conjunctive Adverb
To communicate addition also, furthermore, besides
To communicate contrast however, still, nevertheless,
instead, otherwise
To communicate comparison similarly, likewise
To introduce a result/summary therefore, thus, consequently,
accordingly, hence, then
To indicate time next, then, meanwhile, finally
To communicate emphasis indeed, certainly

13. Conjunctive Adverbs cont….
Examples of conjunctive adverbs in sentences:
Ex. Furthermore, stiletto heels are not a fad; they are
classic! (Furthermore communicates an additional
statement and is followed by a comma.)
Ex. His crimson cape caught on the skyscraper;
therefore, his flying ended abruptly. (Therefore
communicates a result and is preceded by a
semicolon because it is in the middle of the sentence.)
Conjunctive adverbs can appear anywhere in a
sentence. They should be followed by a comma and,
when in the middle of a sentence, preceded by a
semicolon.

14. Finally, the University Writing Center staff and I
hope that this presentation has helped you develop a
better understanding of conjunctions, since they are
vital to the English language; consequently, you will
use them often in your writing endeavors. Perhaps
this online lecture has not helped with your grammar
so much as with enhancing your fashion awareness.
Therefore, challenge yourself to a conjunction quiz,
or call it a review before signing off. (Review is
preferable, because the word quiz often has a
negative connotation.) Whether or not you feel like a
conjunction pro, scan this paragraph and see if you
can recognize the conjunctions, correlative
conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs. After you are
done, click to the next slide where you will find the
answers.
A Parting Quiz...

15. Finally (ca), the University Writing Center staff and (cc)I hope
that this presentation has helped you to develop a better
understanding of conjunctions, since (sc) they are vital to the
English language; consequently (ca), you will use them often in
your writing endeavors. Perhaps this online lecture has not (c2)
helped with your grammar so much as (c2) with enhancing your
fashion awareness. Therefore, challenge yourself to a
conjunction quiz, or call it a review before (sc) signing off.
(Review is preferable, because (sc) the word quiz often has a
negative connotation.) Whether or (c2) not you feel like a
conjunction pro, scan this paragraph and see if (sc) you can
recognize the conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and
conjunctive adverbs. After (sc) you are done, click to the next
slide where (sc) you will find the answers.
Answers...
cc: correlative conjunction sc: subordinate conjunction
ca: conjunctive adverb c2: correlative conjunction