Conjuntion|Definition, Types, Use, Examples
The conjunction is a Part of Speech that plays a very crucial role in formulating Sentences by connecting the sentences and words.
Definition of Conjunction
A Conjunction can be defined as the Part of Speech that is used to join sentences and words. Sentences that are joined through Conjunction are more compact in form. For example:
The sentence in General form
- John is a good player and Harri is a good player.
The compact form of Sentence using Conjunction
- John and Harri are good players.
However, when Conjunction is used to join two words, then the Sentence cannot be elaborate into two Sentences. For example:
- Two and two make four.
- John and David are brothers
- You and I have completed this task together.
So, this means that Conjunction is used with Sentences when compactness is purpose.
Difference between Conjunction and Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs, Preposition
The distinction must be done between the conjunctions and Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs, and prepositions. One should keep in mind, the purpose of each usage and position within the Sentence.
Purpose of Using Conjunction
Conjunction must be used when there is only one purpose and that purpose must be joined by two sentences or words, and nothing else. It means that Conjunction is used merely to join two sentences or words. And it neither qualifies noun nor verb like Relative Pronoun and Relative Adverb, respectively. For example:
- Take this and give that.
- The man is poor but honest.
In sentence 1, “and” is used as a conjunction that joins two words “this” and “that.” In sentence 2, “but” acts as a conjunction that is joining two sentences. i.e;
- The man is poor, but he is honest.
Purpose of Using Relative Pronouns
Relative Pronouns must be used to join sentences when it qualifies a noun.
- This is the house that David bought.
In this example, “that” is used to connect two sentences. But “that” is act as a Relative Pronoun in this example, because it qualifies as a noun “house”.
Purpose of Using Relative Adverbs
Relative Adverbs must be used to join sentences when it qualifies a verb.
- This is the shop where they met each other.
In this example, “where” is used to connect two sentences. But ”where” is act as a Relative Adverb in this example, because it modified the verb “met”.
Purpose of Using Preposition
A preposition must be used to join sentences when it qualifies a noun or a pronoun.
- He sat beside Salma.
- She stood behind Devid.
In sentence 1, “besides” is used as a preposition that joins the noun ”Salma” and the pronoun ”he”.
In sentence 2, “behind” is used as a preposition that joins the noun “Devid” and the pronoun “she”.
So, it means that Conjunction has only one function and that function is about to join two sentences and two words. While Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs, and prepositions have more function than connecting two sentences and words.
Types of Conjunctions
Conjunctions can be divided into two types based on the form of conjunction in which they are used.
Correlative Conjunctions or Correlatives
Conjunctions that are always used in pairs are called Correlative Conjunctions or Correlatives. Each of the correlated words is placed immediately before the words to be connected.
Examples of Correlatives Conjunctions
Following conjunctions are always Correlative Conjunctions because they always appear with such a combination of words:
“Either, or” as Correlative Conjunction
The Correlative Conjunction “Either, or” is always used in some combination and it connects such sentences and words that offer a choice between them. It is used between alternatives, one of which must be chosen. For example:
- Either take it or leave it.
- He either washes the clothes himself or asks her to wash them.
- He either keeps the keys himself or leaves them with his wife.
- He was not wearing either a shirt or a coat.
- Either he or his wife may attend the function.
- Either he or his brother must have done this.
In the 1st sentence, the choice is given between “take” and “leave”, therefore, either it appeared before “take” and or appeared before “leave”.
“Neither, nor” as Correlative Conjunction
This combination of “Neither” and “nor” as a Correlative Conjunction is used to connect the same kind of word or phrase in the sentence. Neither makes a negative statement about two people or things. For example:
- It is neither useful nor ornamental.
- Neither the employees nor the boss was at work.
- Most of them neither know nor care how it works.
- Hilary was neither shocked nor surprised by the news.
- Neither he nor his wife is very tall.
- Neither my father nor my mother went to university.
In the 1st sentence, the “neither, nor” combination connects two words “useful” and “ornamental” and tells that a thing is not useful and also not ornamental.
“Both, and” as Correlative Conjunction
“Both” and “and” are always used as Correlative Conjunction and have the purpose of telling that a specific thing is associated with both things. “Both, and” combination cannot be used with a negative verb. It is always considered plural in a sentence. For example:
- We both love and honor him.
- You can be both a mother and a businesswoman.
- The game is suitable for both children and adults.
- She played both hockey and basketball when she was a student.
- I like both chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
In the 1st sentence, “love” and “honor” are two things that can be associated with the pronoun “him”.
“Though, yet” as Correlative Conjunction
The Correlative Conjunction “though, yet” has very rare usage in current English. However, this is often used to tell that in the presence of a certain condition, the opposite condition may also be possible.
- Though he is suffering much pain, yet he does not complain.
- Though he is poor, yet he is respected.
- Though he might not have recognized me, yet it is rude of him.
- Though he is my relation, I shall not spare him.
- Though she disallowed me, yet I will go to her.
In the 1st sentence, “though, yet” is used to connect two sentences of opposite conditions.
“Whether, or” as Correlative Conjunction
The Correlative Conjunction “whether, or” is used as double conjunction to connect the sentences that tell a specific condition and the reaction of that condition. For example:
- I do not care whether you go or stay.
- A student will have to learn all the lessons whether they are easy or difficult.
- I do not know whether he will come or not.
- We will have to go whether she comes with us or not.
- You will have to take this medicine whether you like it or not.
In the 1st sentence, “whether, or” connect two sentences. In 1st part, the reaction is expressed and 2nd part tells about the condition.
“Not only, but also” as Correlative Conjunction
Correlative Conjunctions “Not only, but also” is used to tell that both things have existed together. Generally, it is used to give a little extra emphasis to the second thing because it is even better, or even worse.
- She is not only a novelist but also a poet.
- Shakespeare was not only a writer but also an actor.
- He not only studies hard but also works well.
- She not only read the book but also remembered what she read.
- The robbers not only took his money but also laid it into him.
- Not only is he foolish, but also obstinate.
In this sentence, the “not only, but also” combination tells that a man has both qualities, i.e; foolishness, and obstinacy.
2. Compound Conjunctions
Compound expressions that are used as conjunctions are called Compound Conjunctions.
Examples of Compound Conjunctions
The following compound words are used as conjunctions to connect words and sentences. They are also called Subordinating Conjunctions.
- In order that
- On condition that
- Even if
- So that
- Provided that
- As though
- Inasmuch as
- As well as
- As soon as
- As if
“In order that” as Compound Conjunction
“In order that” is a Compound Conjunction that is used to connect such two sentences, one of which has the cause/ action and the other one has the consequence of this cause/ action. The clause after “in order that” often has a model verb like can, could, may, might, will, or would, etc. For example:
- The notice was published in order that all might know the facts.
- The girl wants to finish her homework today in order that she will be free at the weekend.
- I will leave the party early in order that I will catch the bus.
- They will go to Spain in order that they can improve their Spanish speaking.
- I study my lessons very hard in order that I can pass the exams.
- We got up early in order that we would not be late for the meeting.
“On condition that” as Compound Conjunction
“On condition that” can be used as a Compound Conjunction that connects two sentences, one of which is dependent on the other. It means that “on condition that” is present in between an independent clause and a dependent clause. For example:
- I will forgive you on the condition that you do not repeat the offense.
- He can do anything on the condition that he can finish the homework.
- She has been granted his freedom on the condition that he leaves the country.
- You can go out n that you wear an overcoat.
- Until recently, crown land was leased to farmers on the condition that they cleared a certain amount each year.
- Two workers agreed to speak to us on the condition that they not be named.
“Even if” as Compound Conjunction
“Even if” can be used as Compound Conjunction that is used to join two sentences to show the condition. For example:
- Such an act would not be kind even if it were just.
- Even if you win a million dollars, it does not mean you’ll be happy.
- I would not tell you her secret even if you begged me.
- Even if I am having a bad day, I try to be nice to people.
“So that” as Compound Conjunction
“So that” is used as Compound Conjunction between two sentences with the meaning of “because/ in order that”. It means that so that is used to tell a specific action and the cause behind this action. The clause after “so that” generally includes a model verb like can, could, may, might, will, would, etc. For example:
- He saved some bread so that he should not go hungry on the morrow.
- We left a message with her secretary so that she would know we have come.
- My son went to bed early yesterday so that he could get up on time this morning.
- John is so angry so that he will not accept to talk with us.
- He decided to stay at home so that he could watch the match on TV.
- They are studying English every day so that their English can improve.
“Provided that” as Compound Conjunction
“Provided that” is a Compound Conjunction that is used to mean the same as “as long as”.
- You can borrow the book provided that you return it soon.
- Provided that you worked hard and participated all semester, the professor might cut your final grade some slack.
- Provided that he pays a fine, he will not have to go to jail.
“As though” as Compound Conjunction
“As though” as a Compound Conjunction is used between two sentences when there is a purpose for comparison. Sometimes, it is used to talk about an imaginary situation or a situation that may not be true that is likely or possible. “As though” usually use a past tense with present meaning. It is considered an alternative to “as if”.
- He walks as though he is slightly lame.
- It looks as though you have not met before.
- They were shouting as though in panic.
- They felt as though they had been given the wrong information.
- It looks as though it is going to rain.
“Inasmuch as” as Compound Conjunction
“Inasmuch as” as a Compound Conjunction is used to give the meaning “since/ in view of the fact that/ seeing that ” between the sentences. For example:
- I must refuse your request, inasmuch as I believe it unreasonable.
- He plans to solve all of the math problems, inasmuch as he can within the time.
- You will improve, only isasmuch as you practice.
- Inasmuch as I already know you, I shall call you Jim, not James.
“As well as” as Compound Conjunction
“As well as” as a Compound Conjunction is used between two sentences when a relationship is shown between two things of equal emphasis.
- Rama as well as Govind was present there.
- He has got a car as well as a bike.
- As well as breaking his back, he hurt his neck.
- Tom as well as Sarah loves chocolate.
- Beauty, as well as love, is redemptive.
“As soon as” as Compound Conjunction
“As soon as” as a Compound Conjunction is used between two sentences to show that two events are consecutive. That one thing happens at the same time as or directly after another thing. For example:
- He took off his coat as soon as he entered the house.
- Can you let me know as soon as you are done with the assignment?
- As soon as we reach the reservation center, we will let you know about the status.
- We will let you know the status as soon as we reach the reservation center.
- As soon as they have realized it, they express regret.
- As soon as they win a game, they start dancing.
“As if” as Compound Conjunction
“As if” is a Compound Conjunction that is used to connect two sentences, one of which is pretending that something was true. It is considered an alternative to “as though”. “As if” is used in the past tense with present meaning.
- He looks as if he were weary.
- He treats me as if I were his sister, not his friend.
- Don’t try to lecture me as if you knew what you were talking about.
- You tend to brush most things off as if they are no big deal.
- She cried as if she was dying.
