Conjunction

A conjunction is a linking word used to connect words or word groups.

There are two main types of conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.

A coordinating conjunction joins two or more grammatically equal structures.

The seven coordinating conjunctions are remembered as "A.B. Fonsy" : and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

• Bad weather set in, so we left.
• The federal government could raise taxes, or it could reduce expenditures.

Subordinating Conjunctions begins an adverb clause, joining the dependent adverb clause to the rest of the sentence. Some principal subordinating conjunctions are:

After Before Since Until Although So that Though Unless Because While Unless.

• Sam won't leave unless Sarah goes with him.
• Ben offered me the money so that I could pay the bill.

Correlative Conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions are sometimes joined to form what are known as Correlative conjunctions. Some correlative conjunctions are:

both...and
so...as
either...or
whether...or
neither...nor
not only...but also

• Both Sam and Sarah are working over the problem.
• Whether I vote or not is none of your business.

Conjunctive Adverbs have an adverbial function but can be used to connect two sentences or two independent clauses.

Consequently     However     Otherwise     In addition     Still     Therefore     Nevertheless    Furthermore

• Try to speak slowly; otherwise, no one will understand you.
• Sam seems to be certain of your facts; however, I do not agree.