Conjunctions
English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.2.13
Lexis - Conjunctions
Conjunctions are the joining words that hold sentences together. These can be either coordinating or subordinating.
Coordinating conjunctions
- Coordinating conjunctions will work to join two of the same clause together (think co-operation) and these are conjunctions like ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘but' and ‘yet'.
- The acronym ‘FANBOYS’ can help you to remember them:
- __F__or.
- __A__nd.
- __N__or.
- __B__ut.
- __O__r.
- __Y__et.
- __S__o.
Coordinating conjunctions - examples
- I love her for she is beautiful.
- I need to go to the shops and I need to get my nails done.
- She is not kind nor is she polite.
- I am tired but I am coming to your birthday party.
- We can go to the club or we can go home.
- James is very clever yet he never applies himself to his studies.
- I bought a new car so I can drive to work.
Subordinating conjunctions
- Subordinating conjunctions will join a main clause and a subordinate clause together.
- These include 'until', 'because' and 'before'.
Subordinating conjunctions - examples
- I liked Patrick until he broke my necklace.
- Because you have annoyed me, I am going home.
- Before lunch, I will write a postcard.
- Although I practice a lot, I am very bad at chess.
Test yourself on Conjunctions
What does the acronym FANBOYS stand for?
What kind of conjunction is used in this sentence?
I love you but I don't always like you.What kind of conjunction is used in this sentence?
My doctor is a patient man even though his patients are often difficult.Which sentences use coordinating conjunctions?
Which sentences use subordinating conjunctions?