Grammar / Conjunctions 1
.pdfConjunctions
CONJUNCTIONS
§ 1. Conjunctions are structural words that serve to connect words or phrases as well as clauses or sentences (see the examples below).
Conjunctions may be single words (e.g. and, as, because, but, or, though, while, etc.), phrases consisting of more than one word (e.g. in order that, on condition (that), in case, as soon as, as long as, for fear (that), as if, as though, etc.) and also correlative
conjunctions, i.e. |
conjunctions that are always used in pairs (e.g. |
as...as, both...and, |
either..,or, not only...but also, etc.). |
Note. Some ing-forms and participles are also used as conjunctions (e.g. suppos- |
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ing, seeing, given (« |
on condition, if), providing or provided). |
§ 2. Conjunctions have a lexical meaning of their own.
e.g. He came to see me because he felt happy. He came to see me though he felt happy. He came to see me when he felt happy.
He came to see me if he felt happy.
Note. The lexical meaning of the conjunction that is vague. It serves to introduce different kinds of clauses.
e.g. That I was not going to be popular with the other children soon became clear to
my parents, |
(subject clause) |
The probability |
is that he refused to cooperate, (predicative clause) |
He believed that his father was an innocent man. (object clause) |
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I was sure that |
many would follow his example, (object clause) |
My father then sold everything that he might have the money for my educa-
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tion, (adverbial clause |
of purpose) |
He |
was so shabby that no |
decent landlady would take him in. (adverbial clause |
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of result) |
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He |
agreed with the assertion that his results fell short of the requirements. |
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(appositive clause). |
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Conjunctions |
411 |
besides, both...and, but, either...or, hence, likewise, |
moreover, never |
theless, or, still, therefore, yet, etc.) and subordinating conjunctions (e.g. after, as, as...as, as long as, because, before, if, since, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whether, etc.).
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences which are independent of each other.
e.g. His light-brown hair was fine and thick.
She took a piece of cake and a cup of tea. She flung the door open and entered.
She felt jealous because there was someone who knew what was so closely connected with her father and what she herself had not known.
Meg ordered a fresh pot of tea and they settled down to discuss the new complication.
J u s t now I can't think of anything but of how you were made to suffer.
She looked scornful but she was secretly pleased.
She could no longer think clearly or speak with decision.
She was furious at me, yet I didn't care.
It was hard to get the story clear from her cousin's answers, nevertheless she found out everything.
Subordinating conjunctions serve to join a subordinate clause to the principal clause. _
e.g. When the play was over he asked her if she would let him see her home.
He |
felt marvellously happy as though everything he did were |
a |
marvel. |
The two girls were silent till he left the room. |
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He winked at me as he passed. |
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The |
old man said to the boy: "If you don't like me you may |
go home whenever you choose."
Subordinating conjunctions may occasionally introduce a word or a phrase within a simple sentence.
§ 3. According to their role in the sentence, conjunctions fall into two groups: coordinating conjunctions (e.g. accordingly, and,
e.g. When a child, he often had to run errands for his elders. His father was sharp with his children, while at home. He promised to sell the car if necessary.