Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words used solely for connecting other words or phrases in a sentence. In the process, they often serve to compress the length of a sentence. They perform no other function what so ever.

Examples:

Complete the task before noon.

Seema collected flowers and leaves from the garden. She will not reach in time even if she hires a cab.

Different for Other Parts of Speech

Conjunctions are similar in appearance to the other parts of speech like Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs and Prepositions. The function they perform is what sets them apart.

To better understand this distinction, let us take a closer look at the examples below.

Conjunction vs. Relative Pronoun

• Words when used as relative pronouns function as the subject of the dependent clause and not just a connector.
• Words when used as conjunctions have a distinct subject following them.

Example 1:

This is the house which I was planning to buy. (Relative Pronoun) Sam did not know which book he had to carry. (Conjunction)

In the first sentence, ‘which’ refers to the noun ‘house’; therefore, it is a relative pronoun.

In the second sentence, ‘which’ is used to connect two clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.

Example 2:

The shop that I entered was deserted. (Relative Pronoun) Rosy said that her neighbour stole her sweets. (Conjunction)

In the first sentence, ‘that’ refers to the noun ‘shop’, thus making it a relative pronoun.

In the second sentence, ‘that’ is used to connect two clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.

Example 3:

The girl who left the letter looked distraught. I did not know who the man at the door was.

In the first sentence, ‘who’ refers to the noun ‘girl’, thus making it a relative pronoun.

In the second sentence, ‘who’ is used to connect two clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.

• The phrases ‘book’, ‘her neighbour’ and ‘the man’ (highlighted in blue) are the subjects of the dependent clauses in those sentences.

Conjunction vs. Relative Adverbs

• Words when used as relative adverbs function as post-modifiers to the main verb in the sentence.
• When they are used as conjunctions, they merely serve to connect two phrases or clauses.

Example 1:

This photo is taken in the studio where I usually practice. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

In the first sentence, ‘where’ modifies the verb ‘practice’, thus making it a relative adverb.

In the second sentence, ‘where’ connects two complete clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.

Example 2:

The day when she finally arrived brought joy to the entire town. James could not work when he was worried.

In the first sentence, ‘when’ modifies the verb ‘arrived’, thus making it a relative adverb.

In the second sentence, ‘when’ connects two complete clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.

Example 3:

The reason why the letter was returned was unknown to all. Anika wanted to know why she was not selected.

In the first sentence, ‘why’ modifies the verb ‘was returned’, thus making it a relative adverb. In the second sentence, ‘why’ connects two complete clauses; therefore, it is a conjunction.

Types of Conjunctions

Conjunctions are broadly classified into three types:

• Coordinating conjunctions
• Subordinating conjunctions
• Correlative conjunctions

I. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases and clauses of equal rank or importance. These include