Understand a variety of texts by using a range of appropriate reading strategies to construct meaning

Conjunctions

	Conjunctions
	Words that are used to join words, phrases, or sentences together.

15.1

List of Conjunctions

Co-

ordinating

Con-

junctions

Cor-

relative

Con-

junctions

Common

Sub-

ordinating

Con-

junctions

either...or
neither...nor
not only...but also
both...and
whether...or

after
before
although
though
even though
as much as
as long as
as soon as
because
since
so that
in order that
if
lest
even if
that
unless
until
when
where
whether
while

15.2

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators, are conjunctions that connect two or more equal items.

Examples:

He plays tennis and soccer
He works quickly but accurately
You'd better do your homework, or you'll get a terrible grade.

15.3

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs. They work in pairs to coordinate two items. Examples of correlative conjunctions include both...and..., either...or, not only... but also...

Examples:

I didn't know that she can neither read nor write.
You can either walk to school or take the bus.
Both Sara and James are invited to the party.
Whether you watch TV or do your homework is your decision.
Not only are they noisy, but they are also lazy.

15.4

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions that join a dependent (or subordinating) clause to an independent (or main) clause.

Examples:

He reads the newspapers after he finishes work.
Even if you get the best grade on the writing test, you'll need to pass an oral test.
Although he is very old, he goes jogging every morning.
She didn't go to school because she was ill.
They went to bed since it was late.
As soon as the teacher had arrived, they started work.

"So", subordinating conjunction or coordinator?

"So" is a small English word that can have different meanings. As mentioned in the table above, it is commonly used as a coordinator rather than subordinating conjunction. There are, however, instances when "so" may introduce the purpose, and in this case ", so" is used as a subordinating conjunction.

Examples: