CONNECTORS

A conjunction may be used to indicate the relationship

between the ideas expressed in a clause and the ideas
expressed in the rest of a sentence.

Examples:
1-We could go to the library, or we could go to
the park.
2-He neither finished his homework nor studied
for the test.
3- I went out because the sun was shining.

Coordinate conjunctions
Coordinate conjunctions are used to join two similar
grammatical constructions; for instance, two words,
two phrases or two clauses.
Examples:
-My friend and I will attend the meeting.
-Austria is famous for the beauty of its landscape and
the hospitality of its people.
-The sun rose and the birds began to sing.

In these examples, the coordinate conjunction and is used to

join two words/two phrases/and two clauses.

and = in addition
She tried and succeeded.
but = however
They tried but did not succeed.
or = alternatively
Did you go out or stay at home?

nor = and neither

I did not see it, nor did they.
(Note the use of inverted word order)
yet = however
The sun is warm, yet the air is cool.

Coordinate conjunctions
As illustrated above, when a coordinate
conjunction joins two verbs which have the same
subject, the subject need not be repeated.
For instance, in the example she tried and
succeeded, the pronoun she acts as the subject
for both the verb tried and the verb succeeded.
It should also be noted that when a coordinate
conjunction joins two verbs which do not have
the same subject, the two coordinate clauses
may be separated by a comma or semicolon, in
order to make the meaning clear.

Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs, in
order to show the relationship between the
ideas expressed in different parts of a
sentence. For instance, in the following
example, the expression either ... or is used
to indicate that the ideas expressed in the
two clauses represent two alternative choices of
action.
Example:
Either you should study harder, or you
should take a different course.

Correlative conjunctions
both ... and
He is both intelligent and good-natured.

either ... or
I will either go for a walk or read a book.
neither ... nor
He is neither rich nor famous.
hardly ... when
He had hardly begun to work, when he was interrupted.

if ... then
If that is true, then what happened is not surprising.
(Note that in this construction the word then can usually be omitted.)

Correlative conjunctions
no sooner ... than
No sooner had I reached the corner, than the bus came.
not only ... but also
She is not only clever but also hard-working.
rather ... than
I would rather go swimming than go to the library.
scarcely ... when
Scarcely had we left home, when it started to rain.
whether ... or
Have you decided whether you will come or not?

Subordinate conjunctions
Subordinate clauses may begin with
relative pronouns such as that, what,
which, who and whom, as well as with
words such as how, when, where, wherever and
why.
Examples:
The house, which stood on a hill, could be
seen for miles.
I wonder how he did that.

In addition, subordinate clauses may also begin with

words which are commonly referred to as
subordinate conjunctions
As
1. = because: As he is my friend, I will help him.
2. = when: We watched as the plane took off.
After
1. = later in time: After the train left, we went home.
Although or though
1. = in spite of the fact that: Although it was
after midnight, we did not feel tired.
Before

1. = earlier than: I arrived before the stores

were open.

In addition, subordinate clauses may also begin with words

which are commonly referred to as
subordinate conjunctions
Because
1. = for the reason that: We had to wait
because we arrived early.
For
1. = because: He is happy for he enjoys his
work.
If
1. = on condition that: If she is here, we will see her.
Providing or provided
1. = on condition that: All will be well, providing you
are careful.

In addition, subordinate clauses may also begin with words

which are commonly referred to as
subordinate conjunctions
Since
1. = from a past time: I have been here since the sun rose.
2. = as, because: Since you are here, you can help me.
So or so that
1. = consequently: It was raining, so we did not go out.
2. = in order that/purpose: I am saving money so I can buy a
bicycle.
Note: When used with the meaning in order that, so
is usually followed by that in formal English.

e.g. I am saving money so that I can buy a bicycle.

Supposing
1. = if: Supposing that happens, what will you do?
Than
1. = used in comparisons: He is taller than you are.
Unless
1. = except when, if not: Unless he helps us, we
cannot succeed.
Until or till
1. = up to the time when:! I will wait until I hear
from you.

Whereas
1. = because: Whereas this is a public building, it
is
open to everyone.
2. = on the other hand: He is short, whereas you
are tall.
Whether
1. = if: I do not know whether she was invited.

While

is
my

1. = at the time when:! While it was snowing, we

played cards.
2. = on the other hand:! He is rich, while his friend
poor.
3. = although: While I am not an expert, I will do
best.

Connecting adverbs
b. Connecting adverbs used to connect sentences.
Unlike conjunctions, connecting adverbs may be used in
formal English to show the relationship between ideas
expressed in separate sentences.

For example:
The wind was strong. Thus, I felt very cold.
In this example, the connecting adverb thus shows that
there is a cause and effect relationship between the ideas
expressed by the two sentences the wind was strong and I
felt very cold.

Connecting adverbs
c. Position in a clause
A subordinate conjunction must usually be placed at the beginning
of a clause. However, a connecting adverb may be placed at the
beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a clause. This is
illustrated below.

Examples:
His visit was unexpected. Nevertheless, I was pleased to see him.
His visit was unexpected. I was, nevertheless, pleased to see him.
His visit was unexpected. I was pleased to see him, nevertheless.

d. Examples of connecting adverbs

Accordingly = so
He was very persuasive; accordingly, I did what he asked.
Also = in addition
She is my neighbor; she is also my best friend.
Besides = in addition
I like the job. Besides, I need the money.
Consequently = so
She had a fever; consequently, she stayed at home.
Furthermore = in addition
You should stop smoking; furthermore, you should do it at once!
Hence =! for that reason!
He is a good friend. Hence, I was not embarrassed to ask him for help.

d. Examples of connecting adverbs

However = but
We wanted to arrive on time; however, we were delayed by traffic.
Likewise = in addition
The region is beautiful. Likewise, the climate is excellent.
Moreover = in addition
She is very intelligent; moreover, she is very ambitious.
Nevertheless = but
They are proud. Nevertheless, I like them.
Nonetheless = but
The ascent was dangerous. Nonetheless, he decided to attempt it.
Otherwise = if not, or else
We should consult them; otherwise, they may be upset.

d. Examples of connecting adverbs

Still = but
It is a long way to the beach. Still, it is a fine day to go swimming.
then:
1. = next, afterwards
We went shopping, then we had lunch.
2. = so
If you are sure, then I must believe you.

Therefore = for that reason

I was nervous; therefore, I could not do my best.
Thus = so, in this way!
He travelled as quickly as possible. Thus, he reached Boston the
next day.

Parallel construction
The repetition of a particular grammatical construction
is often referred to as parallel construction.
Examples:
I am neither angry nor excited.
The resort contains tennis courts, swimming pools and a
snack bar.

In the first example, the two phrases neither angry and nor excited exhibit
parallel construction.
In the second example, the three phrases tennis courts,
swimming pools and a snack bar exhibit parallel construction.

Parallel construction
The following example illustrates the use of parallel construction
with the correlative conjunctions neither ... nor.
e.g.

Incorrect: She turned neither right nor to the left.

Corrected: She turned neither right nor left.
or
Corrected: She turned neither to the right nor to the left.

The first sentence is incorrect, since neither is followed by a

single word; whereas nor is followed by a prepositional phrase.
The second sentence has been corrected by changing the phrase
to the left to the word left. Alternatively, as shown in the third
sentence, two prepositional phrases can be used.

Parallel construction
Parallel construction should also be used when listing a series of
ideas.
For example:
Incorrect: The hotel is charming, well-situated and is not expensive.
Corrected: The hotel is charming, well-situated and inexpensive.

The first sentence is incorrect, since the first two items in the
series, charming and well-situated, are adjectives, whereas the
last item, is not expensive, contains a verb.
The second sentence has been corrected by changing is not
expensive to the adjective inexpensive.

Parallel construction
The following is another example of the use of parallel
construction when listing a series of ideas.
Incorrect: I like to ski, skating and swimming.
Corrected: I like skiing, skating and swimming.
The first sentence is incorrect, since the first item in
the series, to ski, is an infinitive, whereas the second
and third items, skating and swimming, are gerunds.
The second sentence has been corrected by changing the
infinitive to ski to the gerund skiing.

Revision and exercise

And

or

for

nor

So

but

Yet

Coordinating Conjunctions
Above is a list of the coordinating conjunctions. These are used to join two
items/clauses
of equal importance.

and (+) and nor (-) are used to show an agreement between
items/clauses. yet, and but are used to show a disagreement between
clauses.

for and so are used to show a reason between clauses.

or is used to show agreement or disagreement between items/clauses.

Remember, when using a coordinating conjunction to join two independent

clauses (complete thoughts) you must insert a comma before the

Exercise 1

1. I normally like to run, but today I am walking. agreement /

disagreement / reason
2. I like strawberry and chocolate ice cream.
agreement/disagreement/reason
3. I am smarter than my brother, yet he still got a higher grade
on the test. agreement / disagreement / reason
4. I dont make good grades, nor do I try very hard in school.
agreement / disagreement / reason
5. It is raining outside today, so I think I will wear my
raincoat. agreement / disagreement / reason
6. He is always crying, for he is very sad. agreement /
disagreement / reason
7. I dont like yellow or blue
agreement / disagreement / reason

Conjunctive Adverbs

The gods thundered in the heavens; , the

mortals below cowered in fear.

The bank robber dodged the bullet; .., Joey was

shot seventeen times in the tibia.

Susan appreciated the flowers; , a Corvette

would be a finer gift.

Dr. Wheeler is a grammar tyrant; .., he requires

correct punctuation.

She will go on a blind date with George; , he

is a really ugly fellow.

The tyrannosaurs were migrating south; ..,

the apatosaurs breathed a sigh of relief.

The conjunctive adverbs pretend they are

conjunctions; ., the semicolon is what really connects
the two clauses together.