What you should know about conjunction usage
Why is conjunction usage important? Conjunctions can be small or longer words, but they all are very important and functional to construct your sentences correctly. They're available in several types (subordinating, coordinating, and correlative) that all are equal and work as the glue that can join different phrases, words, and clauses (independent or dependent) together. Each type serves its unique and distinct purpose. Their main purpose is to bring words together.
Their definition and meaning
They play an important role in any piece of writing regardless of their type. Pay attention to the common conjunction usage that helps link different parts of the same sentence and make it sound logical and smooth. It joins together phrases, clause parts, and words. Conjunctions are linking or connective words that join together different ideas, actions, phrases, clauses, thoughts, and other parts in sentences.
What is their main purpose?
The main job is to link together different sentences parts and help writers highlight or connect specific actions or ideas. Use them to form more interesting or complex sentences and make your paper flow more smoothly to attract readers’ attention instantly.
What are coordinating conjunctions?
Most people think of them when they hear about this topic, and they’re necessary to join together phrases, words, and independent clauses. They are available in seven types and they all are easy to learn and use:
- And – adding one thing to another;
- For – explaining your specific purpose or reasoning;
- Or – presenting choices or alternatives;
- But – showing contrast or comparing;
- Nor – presenting alternative negative ideas to the stated one;
- So – indicating specific consequences, results, or effects;
- Yet – introducing the contrasting ideas following the preceding ones logically.
What are subordinating conjunctions?
They always introduce dependent clauses to tie them to the independent ones and they usually come at the beginning of a sentence, unlike the above-mentioned type. That’s because of the nature of relations between these clauses. In English, there are many examples of this type, and the most common ones include:
- Because;
- Whether;
- How;
- After;
- Since;
- That and others.
What are correlative conjunctions?
They are tag-team and always come in pairs (neither and nor, whether and or), so it’s necessary to use both of them in different parts of your sentence to make things work. After learning the definition, their existing types, and how to use them for good, start writing correct complex and compound sentences. Follow basic rules to avoid making mistakes and compromising your grades.
How to start sentences with conjunctions?
Some tutors and instructors teach their students that starting a sentence with them is a mistake, but this rule is incorrect. Subordinating types can start sentences if dependent clauses come before the independent ones, and it’s also correct to do that with the coordinating type to add more focus. Use this powerful technique sparingly. That’s because starting many sentences this way will cause it to lose its force and you risk ending up with a poorly-written paper. Some teachers warn their students that using this technique is wrong only because they’re trying to help avoid writing fragments. Others may give this advice only based on their preferences. They don’t want their students to start sentences with coordinating or other types with no clear explanation, but they’re wrong. The main thing to take into account is that you don’t break any grammar rule if you do that in your academic papers. The problem is that you may break the rules of your instructions. That’s why you should always get more information or ask them directly about their personal preferences before you start completing any written assignment. Keep these basic rules in mind if you’re using this powerful tool:
- Make certain that the main clause follows coordinating conjunctions;
- Don’t use a comma after them because they aren’t transitional expressions (it’s rarely necessary to use any punctuation after them);
- Don’t use them to begin each sentence (use this effective method only if it really makes the flow of your ideas more logical and interesting to read).
When to omit that?
The word “that” is an efficient conjunction that connects subordinate clauses to their preceding verbs, but it’s possible to omit it to achieve a good effect in your piece of writing. This technique can create a certain break in the flow of your sentence, and you can bridge it with a comma adequately. What is the rule of thumb? Omit this word if a particular sentence sounds good without it, if it becomes more elegant and efficient, or if no ambiguity results from it.
What type to use?
As you already know, there are different types and examples in the English language, and each one plays a unique role. Pay attention to them and you’ll start noticing them everywhere. How to get more familiar with them? Highlight different types as you see them and find out more about the purposes they serve in sentences to become knowledgeable about that. Take notes of interesting examples that surround you. Try to write without them to see what they mean.
What if you need extra help
Sometimes, you may need extra assistance with conjunctions if you fail to understand the above-mentioned rules or for other reasons. Don’t panic because there are many excellent online services. Some of them offer tutoring solutions to help students learn the basics, while others promise to complete written assignments with no mistakes. Choose the most suitable option for your needs. Use this comprehensive guide and get extra help to improve your grades and writing skills necessary to achieve your academic success with ease. Online professionals are there to explain everything about this subject and its common rules.
