Rule 3: Some adjectives are called absolute adjectives or incomparable adjectives because they are words that absolutely cannot be compared, no
4. Without any warning, the dog dashed to the door and barked loudly
5.The storm caused the tree in our front yardto fall against the house.
6.up: adverb; down: adverb; by: preposition 7.Throughout: preposition; to: preposition 8.inside: adverb
9.After: preposition; in: preposition; before: preposition
10.to: preposition; across: preposition; up: adverb; of: preposition 11.across: preposition; into: preposition; with: preposition
12.up: adverb 13.from: preposition 14.across: preposition
15.about: preposition; on: preposition; yesterday: adverb
CONJUNCTIONS CONNECT WORDS,phrases, and sentences in our writ- ing and speech. Two common forms of conjunctions are coordinating and correlative conjunctions. While both of these connect elements that are similar in form (nouns with nouns, phrases with phrases, and sentences with sen- tences), the correlative conjunctions also show relationship between sentence elements and ideas. Another type of conjunction, and probably the most widely used, is the subordinating conjunction, which connects independent clauses (simple sentences) with subordinate clauses (a group of words that has a sub- ject and verb like a sentence, but cannot stand by itself) that are similar in their relationship rather than in their form. Let’s look at these more closely.
L E S S O N 9
conjunctions
When I hear the hypercritical quarreling about grammar and style, the position of the particles, etc., etc., stretching or contracting every speaker to certain rules of theirs. I see that they forget that the first requisite and rule is that expression shall be vital and natural, as much as the voice of a brute or an interjection: first of all, mother tongue; and last of all, artificial or father tongue. Essentially your truest poetic sentence is as free and lawless as a lamb’s bleat.
HENRYDAVIDTHOREAU(1817–1862) AMERICAN PHILOSOPHER AND POET
Coordinating, correlative, and subordinating conjunctions are tools that help us connect items in a sentence. In this lesson, you’ll learn why these connectors are such essential language components.
C O O R D I N AT I N G C O N J U N C T I O N S
The acronym FANBOYS will help you remember the seven coordinating con- junctionsfor, and, nor, but,or, yet, and so. The following chart explains what each conjunction means, and gives an example of how it can be used in a sentence.
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
for is almost like becauseor since; it introduces, in a formal tone, a reason
Keith did poorly on his math test forhe forgot to study last night.
[sentence + sentence]
and joins elements that are sequential and equal in importance The barn was up the road andby the river.
[prepositional phrase + prepositional phrase]
nor presents an alternate negative idea or thought
Brian did not like singing, nordid he like dancing.
but implies difference, contrast, and exceptions Our car is old butreliable.
[adjective + adjective]
or implies that an alternative or option will follow
I can’t decide if I want an apple ora banana with my yogurt.
[noun + noun]
yet implies that a contrary but logical idea will follow Jackie is a quietyetvery outgoing girl.
[adjective + adjective]
so suggests that a consequence will follow
Linda turned the light on soshe could see where she was walking.
[sentence + sentence]
C O R R E L AT I V E C O N J U N C T I O N S
Like coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctionsconnect elements that are similar in form. The following chart shows the five common pairs of cor- relative conjunctions, with examples of how they can be used in a sentence.
CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
both . . . and Bothpopcorn andpeanuts are popular snacks at sporting events.
[noun + noun]
either . . . or EitherI will have to tell Lionel oryou will.
[sentence + sentence]
neither . . . nor Zack could neither talk on the phonenor watch television the entire week.
[sentence + sentence]
not only . . . but also Maria not only skis but alsosnowboards.
[noun + noun]
whether . . . or Do you know whetherLuke orRobin are coming to dinner?
[noun + noun]
S U B O R D I N AT I N G C O N J U N C T I O N S
Subordinating conjunctionsjoin an independent clause (a simple sentence) with a subordinate clause (a group of words that has a subject and verb like a sentence, but cannot stand by itself). For example:
I.C.→I went to see a doctor. S.C.→becausemy throat hurt.
We can understand the first clause, I went to see a doctorwithout any further explanation, because it is a simple sentence. But the phrase because my throat hurt is a subordinate clause (it begins with the subordinating conjunction because) and is an incomplete thought, so it must be joined with an independent clause in order to make sense. The subordinating conjunctions found at the beginning of subordinating clauses imply these four categories: time, cause and effect, con- dition, and contrast.
COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Time Cause/Effect Condition Contrast
after because as long as although
before so unless even though
when now that provided that though
since in order that so long as whereas
until as if if even if
as soon as whether while whenever
Choosing the appropriate subordinating conjunction depends on what you want to imply in your sentence. For example:
if If my throat hurts, I will go to the doctor.
when Whenmy throat hurts, I will go to the doctor.
as long as As long asmy throat hurts, I will go to the doctor.
now that Now that my throat hurts, I will go to the doctor.
before Beforemy throat hurts, I will go to the doctor.
When using the following conjunctions, you should add notto the subor- dinate clause to imply contrast:
although Althoughmy throat hurts, I will not go to the doctor.
even though Even though my throat hurts, I will not go to the doctor.
or leave them as is . . .
although Althoughit is fall, the day is still warm.
even though Even thoughit is fall, the day is still warm.
P R AC T I C E : C O N J U N C T I O N S
Supply the appropriate coordinating or correlative conjunctions from the chart below for the following sentences.
Coordinating Correlative
and, or, for, nor, but, both . . . and
yet, so either . . . or
whether . . . or neither . . . nor not only . . . but also
1.Kim _____ Sara played tennis.
2._____ Jack _____ Jill went up the hill.
3.Should I order soup _____ salad with dinner?
4.Vincent moved slowly _____ steadily through the crowded room.
5._____ did Haley arrive early, _____ she was _____ the first one there.
6.Greg wants to be either a cowboy _____ a ghost for Halloween.
7.It rained heavily, _____ the tennis match was canceled.
8._____ you choose yellow _____ he chose blue is not the issue.
9._____ your mother _____ your grandmother has heard you play the piano yet.
10.Write down the phone number _____ you may forget it later.
Create new sentences with the following independent clauses (simple sen- tences) and a sensible subordinating conjunction. Use the chart of subordinat- ing conjunctions below to help you. (Don’t forget to add punctuation so your new sentence is not a run-on.)
COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Time Cause/Effect Condition Contrast
after because as long as although
before so unless even though
when now that provided that though
since in order that so long as whereas
until as if if even if
as soon as whether while whenever
11.It is raining today. You should bring an umbrella along.
12.The grass needs mowing again. It was mowed on Tuesday.
13.We should arrive at the airport on time. We left a little late.
14.You may play outside. Your homework is finished.
15.We can stay at the mall. It closes.
A N S W E R S 1.and 2.Both, and 3.or
4.yet
5.Not only, but, also 6.or
7.so
8.Whether, or 9.Neither, nor 10.for
11.It is raining today, soyou should bring an umbrella along.
Sinceit is raining today, you should bring an umbrella along.
Becauseit is raining today, you should bring an umbrella along.
You should bring an umbrella along sinceit is raining today.
You should bring an umbrella along becauseit is raining today.
12.The grass needs mowing even thoughit was mowed on Tuesday.
The grass needs mowing sinceit was mowed on Tuesday.
The grass needs mowing again, sinceit was mowed on Tuesday.
Even thoughit was mowed on Tuesday, the grass needs mowing.
Sinceit was mowed on Tuesday, the grass doesn’t need mowing.
13.We should arrive at the airport on time even thoughwe left a little late.
We should arrive at the airport on time althoughwe left a little late.
Althoughwe left a little late, we should arrive at the airport on time.
Even thoughwe left a little late, we should arrive at the airport on time.
14.You may play outside provided thatyour homework is finished.
You may play outside, as long asyour homework is finished.
You may play outside, so long asyour homework is finished.
You may play outside now thatyour homework is finished.
You may play outside whenyour homework is finished.
You may play outside afteryour homework is finished.
You may play outside sinceyour homework is finished.
You may play outside ifyour homework is finished.
You may play outside wheneveryour homework is finished.
Provided thatyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
As long asyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
So long asyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
Now thatyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
Whenyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
Afteryour homework is finished, you may play outside.
Sinceyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
Ifyour homework is finished, you may play outside.
Wheneveryour homework is finished, you may play outside.