I. Definition: Conjunctions are form words. They have no independent meaning of their own and they are used to connect words, groups of words, clauses and sentences. This connection is brought about either by way of coordination or by way of subordination.

II. Classification:

1. The Coordinative Conjunctions (or Coordinators)

2. The Subordinative Conjunctions (or Subordinators)

1. The Coordinative Conjunctions (or Coordinators) connect words, groups of words and clauses that are independent on each other.

Eg: Newspapers and magazines are on the table.

Which would you prefer, tea or coffee?

Mary hurried, but missed the bus.

Make haste or you will be late.

He lives at home and has a permanent job.

They can be used to express the meaning of:

+ Addition: and; both…and…; as well as; and also; not only…but also…; again; moreover; likewise; besides,…;

+ Opposition: but; still; yet; however; on the contrary; nevertheless,…;

+ Choices: or; otherwise; either…or…; neither…nor…; whether…or not;

+ Results or consequences: so; therefore; then; thus; consequently,…;

2. The Subordinative Conjunctions (or Subordinators) connect subordinate clause(s) with the clause on which they (it) depend(s).

Eg: Promise me that you will be on time.

She will come back when she has time.

If I had enough money, I would buy a new house.

- The Subordinative Conjunctions can used to introduce subject, predicate and object clause: That , If , Whether.

Eg: I don’t know that you told the true. I’m not sure if she will come tonight. I will make a decision whether he comes or not.

- The Subordinative Conjunctions can be used to introduce adverbial clauses of:

+ Place: Where, wherever

Eg: You can go wherever you want.

+ Time: When, whenever, as soon as, as, while, till, until, before, after, since, etc.

Eg: When I arrived, she had already left.

Don’t open the door till the train stops.

+ Reason or Cause: because, since, as, seeing that…; for fear that…; etc.

Eg: Since you object, I will never go out with you.

Seeing that the weather changed, we had to stay home.

I have to bring my raincoat for fear that it may rain.

+ Concession: though, although, even if, even though, etc.

Eg: Even if you disagreed, I did it as I wish.

They went out for a swim although it began raining.

+ Purpose: in order that, so that, that, lest, etc.

Eg: I will ring you again lest you should forget to come. Remember to lock the door so that nobody can come in.

+ Result: so…that…; such…that…; that, etc.

Eg: I gave her such a great shock that she turned white.

+ Comparison: as, as…as, not so…as, as if, as though, etc.

Eg: Do it as I told you. The task was more difficult than we had expected.

+ Condition: if, unless, provided/providing (that), supposing (that), on condition that, etc.

Eg: You will be well again soon if you take this medicine three times a day.

I will never marry her unless she is the last woman on earth.

- In many cases, “that” and interrogative words can be used as subordinator when they begin the Subordinative clause.

Eg: I think that everything will be alright.

I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.

Please tell me how long I will have to wait.

III. Forms of conjunctions:

a) Simple conjunctions: and, but, or, so, since, for, before, if,…

b) Correlative conjunctions: both…and; either…or; neither…nor; not only…but also; as…as; as…so; whether…or not; though…yet; etc.

c) Participial conjunctions (converted from participles): seeing; supposing; provided;…

d) Phrase conjunctions: in case (that); as if; as though; in order that; no sooner than; as soon as;…