Conjunctions

There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, and subordinating.

Coordinating: connect similar words together. e.g. and, but, nor, just.

Correlative: connect similar groups of words together, but always come in pairs: either.....or/ both....and, neither........... nor/ not only ......but also/as........as/ whether ...........or

Subordinating: connect two ideas with one more important than the other.

 

1- Coordination joins two independent clauses that are equally important. It uses comma plus one of the seven coordinating conjunctions.

Independent clause,              for              Independent clause

                                             and

                                             nor

                                             but

                                             or

                                             yet

                                              so

Each of the seven coordinating conjunctions clarifies a specific relationship between equally important ideas

Conjunction	Relationship	Examples
For	Cause	Betty bought an iron with automatic shut-off for she was always forgetting to unplug it.
And	Addition	The temperature has fallen rapidly this afternoon, and the roads are slippery.
Nor	Alternative	Sally does not like the mountains, nor does she like the ocean
But	Contrast	His car is not running right now, but he intends to repair it before the week-end
Or	Alternative	We can eat dinner, or we can wait and eat after the movie
Yet	Contrast	He always arrives late, yet he expects everyone to arrive on time.
So	Consequence	My mom was born in Italy, so I have always wanted to visit that country

You can easily remember these seven coordination conjunctions through this acronym FANBOYS:

Correlative Conjunctions

1-    Both John and Bill are excellent tennis players

2-    Neither Debra nor Sally expressed her annoyance when the cat broke the antique lamp.

3-    Professor Jenkins is not only patient, but also stimulating.

Exercise 1

Fill in the gaps using the appropriate correlative conjunctions

1-    Kenja is ……………fast …………….Martha. They have the same time in 100 meters.

2-    Vichy studies ………..biology………………chemistry.

3-    …………….the professor …………..the students like the new building.

4-    I will go to ……………Bermuda……………St Thomas on vacation

5-    …………….you stay late……………….leave right now, I want to thank you for your help.

6-    Stephany has ……………….an MBA ………..and PhD . That’s incredible. 

Exercise 2

Choose the correct conjunction.

1. I did my best to pass my English exam yet / so I failed.

2. I will get my car serviced and / for there is something wrong with the brakes.

3. The suspect went to the airport and / yet tried to use a license that had his brother's identification on it or / but he got caught.

4. Nobody expected Sam to get the job nor / so did I.

5. We can go to a Chinese restaurant or / and a Mexican, I don’t really mind.

6. It was raining heavily and / so we decided to stay at home.

7. Everybody was eager to participate the charity walk or / but the manager.

8. I got a seat in the front row for / yet I was really interested in the lecture topic.

9. My brother and / nor I will retire soon and go sailing around the world.

10. He can speak English so / and Spanish fluently, but / or his French is not so good.          

Exercise 3

Complete the text with and, but, or.

I get up at half past eight in the morning. I´m hungry ...... there isn´t any food in the kitchen. I want milk, cereals ...... orange juice. Then, I go to the shop ...... when I get there it´s still closed. I go back home and into the kitchen. There´s some grapefruit juice and brown bread....... I don´t like grapefruit juice ...... brown bread! This is not a good morning, so I go back to bed until the shop opens.

Exercise 4

Insert commas and coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when appropriate to complete the sentences.

1. My favorite desserts include cookies, cheesecake ____ tiramisu.

2. I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books _____ I had to get a job.

3. I finished my homework _____ my mom let me go outside.

4. I could not play outside _____ I had to study for a test.

5. I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint _____ at a steakhouse.

6. I have no money _____ I keep shopping.

7. I have neither done the dishes _____ the laundry.

8. We should bring either pizza _____ cake to the party.

9.  Look at all the people in high places who began as nothing more ______ less than adventurers.

10. His heart was pounding ______ that he could hardly speak.