Conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, clauses, etc. We will be discussing two types conjunctions today, coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
1. Coordinating conjunctions: These conjunctions combine independent clauses. Remember, an independent clause can stand alone. For example, He is walking. This sentence can stand alone, and is an independent clause. We can join two independent clauses using a coordinating conjunction. For example, He is walking and he is running. The coordinating conjunction used was “and”.
Tip: There are seven common coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, yet, so. You can also remember these by using FANBOYS.
2. Subordinating conjunctions: These conjunctions combine clauses and show a relationship between them. The relationships they show are cause and effect, or time and place. Subordinating conjunctions that we use to show cause and effect are: for, as, since, therefore, hence, as a result, consequently, though, due to, provided that, because of, unless, as a result of, so/so that. Subordinating conjunctions that we use to show time or place are: once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, after.
Look at the following clause: “because of the weather.” Is this a dependent or independent clause?
It is a dependent clause because it can not form a complete sentence on its own. Therefore, it needs to be combined with an independent clause. For example, “We can’t go outside today because of the weather.” The independent clause is “We can’t go outside today” and the subordinating conjunction in this sentences is “because.”
The following video will explain subordinating conjunctions in greater detail:
For more information please visit: https://www.dailywritingtips.com/coordinating-vs-subordinating-conjunctions/ and https://www.grammarly.com/blog/subordinating-conjunctions/
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at checkm@dearbornschools.org
