Conjunctions

How Conjunctions Work

There are three main types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative. Coordinating conjunctions (like "and," "but," "or") connect items of equal importance. Subordinating conjunctions (like "because," "although," "when") link a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing a relationship like cause and effect or time. Correlative conjunctions work in pairs (like "either...or," "neither...nor") to connect related ideas.

Examples of Conjunctions

• Coordinating: "I wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining."
• Subordinating: "Although it was raining, I went for a walk."
• Correlative: "I will either go for a walk or read a book."

Role in Communication

Building Complexity: Conjunctions allow us to add complexity to our sentences, making our speech and writing more detailed and interesting. 🌟 Clarifying Relationships: They help clarify the relationship between different parts of a sentence, such as contrast, cause, or choice. 🔍 Enhancing Flow: Using conjunctions improves the flow of ideas, making our communication smoother and more coherent. 🌊

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✅ Correct: "She likes tea, but she loves coffee." (Correct use of a coordinating conjunction)

❌ Incorrect: "She likes tea but she loves coffee." (Missing comma in complex sentences with coordinating conjunctions)

✅ Correct: "Because it was late, we decided to go home." (Correct placement of the subordinating conjunction)

❌ Incorrect: "It was late, because we decided to go home." (Misleading use of "because" changes the meaning)

✅ Correct: "You can either join us for dinner or meet us later." (Correct use of correlative conjunctions)

❌ Incorrect: "You can join us for dinner or meet us later." (Without "either," the sentence is correct but lacks the emphasis on choice)