A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).
Co-ordinate
conjunctions join words, phases, or clauses of equal rank. There are two
kinds: simple and correlative. Subordinate conjunctions join
dependent clauses to independent clauses. I will refer to them simply as co-ordinate,
correlative, and subordinate.
The co-ordinate conjunctions are the following: and, but, or, nor,
for, and yet. (For and yet can only join clauses.)
The correlative conjunctions are always in pairs. They are either-or,
neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, and whether-or.
Some common subordinate conjunctions are after, although, as, as
if, because, before, if, since, so that, than, unless, until, when, where, and
while.
Instructions: Find the conjunctions in these sentences, and tell whether it is co-ordinate,
correlative, or subordinate.
1. If you have time, visit your sister while you are in Tucson.
2. The hurricane damaged not only North Carolina but also New Jersey.
3. The injured boy could neither walk nor talk.
4. Soccer and basketball are popular sports throughout the world.
5. The principal and the teacher were shocked, but they soon punished him.
6. She was arrested because she was both dishonest and corrupt.
7. As I said, you may have either this dog or the other.
8. Did you honk, or did I imagine it?
9. Although the storm passed, the clouds were dark and gloomy.
10. After the semester was over, my friend and I traveled to the Black Hills
and Mount Rushmore.
--For answers scroll
down.
Answers:
1. If you have time, visit your sister while you are in Tucson.
- If (subordinate), while (subordinate)
2. The hurricane damaged not only North Carolina but also New Jersey.
- not only-but also (correlative)
3. The injured boy could neither walk nor talk.
- neither-nor (correlative)
4. Soccer and basketball are popular sports throughout the world.
- and (co-ordinate)
5. The principal and the teacher were shocked, but they soon punished him.
- and (co-ordinate), but (co-ordinate)
6. She was arrested because she was both dishonest and corrupt.
- because (subordinate), both-and (correlative)
7. As I said, you may have either this dog or the other.
- as (subordinate), either-or (correlative)
8. Did you honk, or did I imagine it?
- or (co-ordinate)
9. Although the storm passed, the clouds were dark and gloomy.
- although (subordinate), and (co-ordinate)
10. After the semester was over, my friend and I traveled to the Black Hills
and Mount Rushmore.
- After (subordinate), and (co-ordinate), and (co-ordinate)