University of the Immaculate Conception

College of Teacher Education

Bonifacio St., Davao City

Structure of English

Lesson 7:
Conjunction
 Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

a.) understand how conjunction work

and its importance;
b.) differentiate the appropriate use of
n ctio ns coordinating, correlative, subordinating
C on ju conjunction; and
c.) successfully choose the right
conjunction in written exercises. 
 Conjunctions
Conjunctions are used as connectors of sentences, words, phrases and
clauses.

Type of clause:
Independent clause is a type of clause that makes sense on its own.
Dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone.

Types of Conjunctions

Coordinating e.g., for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Correlative e.g., not only-but also, either-or, neither-nor,
both- and, not-but, whether-or.
Subordinating e.g., After, how, than, when, although, if, that, where,
as, in order that, though, which, as much as, inasmuch
as, unless, while, because, provided, until,
who/whom, before, since, what, whoever/whomever.
 Coordinating conjunctions
• It joins two sentences or words, phrases, and clauses that are grammatically
equal.
• It connects two independent clauses and a comma is used before
the coordinating conjunction.
For - explains
mnemonic a reason or
acronym: FANBOYS. I have to be on time, for my boss
purpose will be annoyed if I’m late. 
And - combines two or more I like singing and dancing.
positive ideas
Nor - combines two or more negative Leah hates to listen to rap, nor
ideas. Neither of the ideas is will she tolerate heavy metal. 
true or possible.
But - show contrast Riley wanted to stay longer, but
she had to be up early the next
morning.
Or - presents an options Do you like chocolate, or
caramel sundae better?
Yet - connects two or more ideas that I’m afraid of heights, yet
are somewhat contrasting. I appreciate the view from the
top of this building.
So -Indicates result, effect or The road was blocked, so Angela
consequences (reason + result) took a detour and was late to school.
 Coordinating Conjunction

•When joining two clauses with a coordinating conjunction, always

place a comma before the conjunction.
Example:
I don’t want to throw away my candy bars, nor do I wish to listen to my
doctor.
I adore candy factories, and I want to own one someday.

Starting a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction

Just remember not to overuse these kinds of sentences, because too
many of them can sound forceful.
Example:
I don’t want to throw away my candy bars, nor do I wish to listen to my
doctor. But I adore candy bar factories. And I want to own one
someday.
 Coordinating Conjunction

If you decide to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, keep these

three things in mind:

1. Be sure that a main clause follows the coordinating conjunction.

2. Do not use a coordinating conjunction to begin every sentence. Use this
option only when it makes the flow of your ideas more effective.
3. Do not use a comma after the coordinating conjunction. Coordinating
conjunctions are not transitional expressions like for example or first of all.

Example (3):
Only when an interrupter immediately follows the coordinating conjunction
do you need to use commas.

We hoped that decorating the top of Christine's cupcake with a dead

grasshopper would startle her. But, to our amazement, she just popped the
whole thing in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed.
 Correlative Conjunction
• Correlative conjunctions are word pairs that work together in a sentence to
connect words and groups of words of similar weight.
• It shows the relationship between ideas expressed in different parts of a sentence.

Examples:

You can have either chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

We’ll have both the cheesecake and the chocolate cake.
I didn’t know whether you’d want the cheesecake or the chocolate cake, so I
got both.
Not only will they paint the outside of the house but also the inside.
Such was the nature of their volatile relationship that they never would have
made it even if they’d wanted to.
I had scarcely walked in the door when I got an urgent call and had to run
right back out again.
She’d rather play the drums than sing.
Bowling isn’t as fun as skeet shooting.
 Correlative Conjunction
Remember:
Generally speaking, commas should not separate correlative conjunction pairs.
However, a comma may be used between the conjunctions to accommodate
another grammar rule.

Examples:
1. Not only did Jeff need a textbook, but he also needed a laptop for his
college class.
2. Neither the job as a cashier, which paid only minimum wage, nor the
washroom attendant’s job interested the woman with two PhDs.

3 important rules to remember

Ensure the following:
1. verb agreement
2. ensure pronoun agreement
3. ensure parallel structure
 Correlative Conjunction
1. Ensuring Verb Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions:
• Join two singular subjects with a singular verb.
Correct Verb Agreement:
Neither the boy nor his brother want to do their chores.
Incorrect Verb Agreement:
Neither the boy nor his brother wants to do their chores

• Join two plural subjects with a plural verb.

Correct Verb Agreement:
Either the students or their parents were expected to pick up supplies for the project.
Incorrect Verb Agreement:
Either the students or their parents was expected to pick up supplies for the project.

• Join a singular subject and a plural subject with the verb form used for the subject closest
to the verb.
Correct Verb Agreement:
Both the captain and the soldiers run two miles every day.
Incorrect Verb Agreement:
Both the captain and the soldiers runs two miles every day.
 Correlative Conjunction
• Be aware of the “Logic Rule” when ensuring Subject/Verb Agreement

Proximity Rule: The rules state that when connecting singular subjects and plural
subjects, we should use the verb form of the closest subject.
Logic Rule: This rule states that if one of the subjects is plural, the verb is plural,
regardless of proximity.
For example:
Both the captain and the soldiers run two miles every day.
This example was correct because soldiers is plural and closest to the verb
Both the captain and the soldiers runs two miles every day.

Under the Logic Rule:

Both the soldiers and the captain run two miles every day.
When following the logic rule, even though the plural subject soldiers is not as close
to the verb as the singular subject captain, the plural verb run is still grammatically
correct.
Under the Proximity Rule:
Both the soldiers and the captain runs two miles every day.
 Correlative Conjunction
2. Ensuring Pronoun Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions
When two antecedents are used with a correlative conjunction, the rules follow a
similar pattern to verb agreement rules.

• Singular antecedents use singular pronouns:

e.g. Both Joey and Sam completed his part of the project.

• Plural antecedents use plural pronouns:

e.g. Either the doctors or the nurses will visit their patients at least once a day.
singular and plural antecedent are used,

• When both a singular and plural antecedent are used:

The pronoun is based on the second antecedent, or the antecedent closest to the
pronoun.
e.g. Not only the painting but also the sculptures show their unique style when put
on display.
 Correlative Conjunction
3. Ensuring Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions
Parallel structure adds clarity to your writing, making it easier to follow.

Not Parallel:
My brother not only likes to play video games, but also watch movies.

Parallel:
My brother not only likes to play video games, but he also likes to watch movies.

Parallel:
My brother likes not only to play video games but also to watch movies.
 Correlative Conjunction

• Avoid a double negative when using Neither/Nor

The double negative is a common mistake in writing, and the use of correlative
conjunctions neither/nor is when you need to be on the lookout for a double
negative.

Double Negative Example

He did not like neither the movie nor the book.

Correcting the Double Negative

He liked neither the movie nor the book.

Other option
He did not like either the movie or the book.
 Subordinating Conjunction
• Subordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses and
dependent clauses.
• This conjunction allows the inclusion of additional detail to the
sentence, which improves its clarity.
Comparison
rather than, than, whether, as much as, whereas, 
Relative Pronouns 
who, whoever, which, whichever, that
Place
where, wherever, 
Time
after, as soon as,still, until, whenever, now that, while, by the time
Cause/reason
because, since, in order (to), as
Concession
though, although, even though, provided that,
Condition
if, only if, even if,unless, inasmuch 
 Subordinating Conjunction

Example: 
I write poetry whenever I find myself alone.
When John wrote an amazing paragraph, he earned an A+ in the course.

Remember:
Some of the subordinating conjunctions can also be used as preposition such
as the words “before, untill, till, as, since, and after “.

If only a noun or pronoun appears, the word group is a prepositional phrase.

If a subject and verb appear after any of these words, the word group is a
dependent clause.
 
Examples:
PP: Bart has not been happy since his accident.
DC: Bart has not been happy since he returned home.
 
 Subordinating Conjunction

Punctuating subordinating conjunction

If the dependent clause comes first, a comma is required.
When the dependent clause follows an independent clause,
no comma is used.
Examples:
1.When I read the story, I could imagine everything.
(dependent,independent)
2.I could imagine everything when I read the story.
(independent, dependent)
Difference between coordinating and Subordinating Conjunction

BASIS FOR COORDINATING SUBORDINATING

COMPARISON CONJUNCTION CONJUNCTION

Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunction
links two or more words,
are the words that links a
Meaning clauses, phrases or
dependent clause to an
sentences of equal
independent clause.
importance.

Forms Weak connection Strong connection

Dependent and
Joins Two independent clauses
Independent clause

Sentences Compound Sentences Complex Sentences

Beginning of a sentence or
Position In-between two clauses
between two clauses
Learning Objectives