CONJUCTIONS by Busungu Joseph

CONJUCTIONS

Conjunctions are words used to join together phrases or clauses in a sentence. They are divided into three main categories namely;

a)    Coordinating conjunctions: These are conjunctions used to connect words or clauses of equal grammatical weight, status or rank. For example, noun and noun, verb phrase and verb phrase, independent clause and independent clause, etc. They go with the mnemonic of FANBOYS

F-for

A-and

N-nor

B-but

O-or

Y-yet

S-so

For- is used to explain the reason or purpose for something. For example,

ü He studies hard for he wants to pass with flying color

ü She went to the shop for she wanted to buy salt

ü I must sing nice for there is a music concert

And- is used to add or connect similar ideas. For example,

ü I compose songs and I write books

ü She likes studying and dancing

ü She spoke well and won the medal

Nor-used to connect negative ideas. For example,

ü He is not my sibling nor my relative

ü She never scored a goal nor played football

But- used to contrast two ideas or concepts. For example,

ü I wished to be a doctor but I had no qualifications

ü I wanted to visit her but she rejected my visitation

Or- used to introduce alternatives or choices. For example,

ü Will you travel by bus or by airplane

ü You will start the project today or you will wait for the requirements.

Yet- used to express or unexpected result. For example,

ü She studied hard yet she failed the exams

ü He beats his wife yet he loves her

So- used to express consequence or result. For example,

ü I studied hard so I passed the exams

ü It was raining so I didn’t go to school

b)   Correlative conjunctions: These are pairs of words that show the relationship between two grammatically equal elements. They include; either---or, neither---nor, both---and, hardly---when, as---as, no sooner---than, scarcely---when, not only---but also, so---that, such---that, though---yet, whether---or, too---to. For example,

ü You can either walk or run

ü The block is too heavy to carry

ü She is not only a hardworking student but also a well discipline student

ü I had hardly reached home when it began raining

ü Hardly had I reached home when it began raining

ü She is both handsome and smart

ü I don’t know whether she will come back or continue working

ü She is as beautiful as her sister

ü He was so busy that he couldn’t pick up my phone

ü We had no sooner started singing than the guest of honor arrived.

ü Though he struggled to chase poverty yet he is not happy with this life

NB: When the correlative conjunction begins before the subject, subject-verb inversion should take place. An auxiliary verb should interchange the position with the subject. Look at the following examples;

·       I had hardly reached home when it began raining (no inversion)

·       Hardly had I reached home when it began raining (inversion)

·       She had scarcely entered the room when thieves came (no inversion)

·       Scarcely had she entered the room when thieves came (inversion)

·       He not only played well but also scored a goal (no inversion)

·       Not only did he play well but also scored a goal (inversion)

c)    Subordinating conjunctions: These are conjunctions used to introduce the subordinating/dependent clauses and connect them to the independent clauses. They are used to join clauses of unequal ranks (clauses with different weight and status). They include; because, in spite of, despite, nevertheless, notwithstanding, however, strange as it may seem, although, when, though, if, unless, as, after, so that, as soon as, in order that, since, even if, as if, as long as, while, lest, etc.

Functions of subordinating conjunctions

                                 i.         Used to show purpose

They include; in order to, so as, so that, lest, in order that, etc.

ü We eat so that we may live

ü He works hard lest he should pass the exam

ü She does physical exercise so as to be fit

ü I wash my clothes in order to be smart

ü I asked him to move in order that I could see the screen better

                                ii.        Used to show cause or reason

They include; because, since, as, for, due to, etc.

ü I decided to go home for I was very tired

ü I helped him because I liked his ambition

ü Since he was very lazy, she didn’t perform well

ü As it was raining, I failed to attend the meeting

                              iii.      Used to show condition

They include; if, unless, provided that, in case, as long as, etc.

ü In case he comes, don’t listen to him

ü You may attend the meeting provided that you keep quiet

ü You may be invited as long as you behave well

ü If he studied hard, he would pass the exams

ü Unless you respect, you will not be able to get success

ü Unless you work hard, you will fail some of the exams

ü Unless you study hard, you will not pass the exams

                               iv.       Used to show result or consequences

They include; so---that, therefore, hence, thus, as a result, consequently, etc.

ü She danced so well that all people liked her

ü He was very serious as a result he won the medal

ü My father died 20 years ago consequently we faced economic hardship

ü Magohe is my enemy therefore I hate him

ü Our teacher encouraged us thus we performed well

                                v.         Used to show time

They include; when, since, when, while, before, after, etc.

ü Nyagige had started working before I graduated

ü I began my work after they had allowed me

ü I haven’t eaten pizza since I was born

ü I will be there when the time reaches

ü She was drawing pictures while Wema was preparing the evening meal

                               vi.       Used to show concession/contrast

They include; however, although, strange as it may seem, despite the fact that, whereas, in spite of, despite, even though, though, notwithstanding, nevertheless, while, etc.

ü Even though I live in Simiyu, I work in Kibaha

ü Although he came early, he didn’t find the early bus

ü In spite of being intelligent, he was not able to pass the exams

ü In spite his intelligence, he was not able to pass the exams

ü However he tried hard, he failed the exams

ü Although he is rich, he is not happy

ü Strange as it may seem, he raped his daughter

ü Strange as it may seem, Tashana insulted her teacher

ü Despite his richness, he has not built the house

ü Despite being rich, she does not help her family

ü Despite the fact that she is rich, she doesn’t take care of her family

ü Nevertheless, his rudeness, he was punished

ü Notwithstanding being a good boy, he was not awarded

NB: Nevertheless, means in spite of, while, notwithstanding is the same as despite. When a subordinating conjunction is used at the beginning of the sentence to introduce the dependent clause, a comma (,) is followed before the main or independent clause.