1. Writing with Connection: Using Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions
Review A
Review B

2. Using conjunctions Writers join clauses to show how ideas connect.
They can connect clauses in different ways. Think of each of these ways of connecting ideas as a tool in a writer’s toolbox.

3. Coordinating conjunctions
An independent clause (or main clause) can stand by itself as a sentence.
An independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
Subject
Verb
Our computer broke.
Our computer broke.
Our computer broke.
Subject
Verb
These streets were paved almost three centuries ago.
These streets were paved almost three centuries ago.
These streets were paved almost three centuries ago.

4. Coordinating conjunctions
A writer can join two independent clauses into a single sentence if the ideas are
related to each other in some way
equally important
I forgot my sweater.
I forgot my sweater, but my mom brought it to me.
My mom brought it to me.
She missed the bus.
She missed the bus, so she walked to school.
She walked to school.
This kind of sentence is called a compound sentence.

5. Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are one tool that writers use to join independent clauses. You can use the word FANBOYS to remember all seven coordinating conjunctions.
For
And
Nor
But Or
Yet So

6. Coordinating conjunctions
Independent clauses in a compound sentence can be joined with a semicolon when they are related and of equal importance. When you use a semicolon, do not use a coordinating conjunction.
Grammar Gal Says...
A porpoise is not a fish; it is a mammal.
Amon collects baseball cards; I collect coins.

7. Coordinating conjunctions
Which coordinating conjunction should a writer choose? That depends on how the ideas in the independent clauses relate to each other.
If the two independent clauses show parallel ideas, the writer may use and.
After hours in the water, the castaway struggled through the surf, and he clawed his way onto the beach, collapsing at the water’s edge.

8. Coordinating conjunctions
If the two independent clauses show a contrast, the writer may use but or yet to join them.
Everyone was clearly uncomfortable, yet no one said a word.
At first we planned to brave the crowds, but we decided to stay home instead.

9. Coordinating conjunctions
If the two independent clauses show cause and effect, the writer may use so or for to join them.
cause
effect
The parking lot does not have drains, so it flooded during the storm.
The parking lot does not have drains, so it flooded during the storm.
The parking lot does not have drains, so it flooded during the storm.
effect
cause
The lost campers were hungry, for they had not eaten.
The lost campers were hungry, for they had not eaten.
The lost campers were hungry, for they had not eaten.

10. Coordinating conjunctions
Join the following pairs of sentences by using a coordinating conjunction to show how the ideas relate.
1. Cut flowers would look nice. A potted plant would last longer.
2. Huge pelicans were soaring over the waves. They suddenly dove into the water for fish.
3. The field was no longer fertile. The farmer did not plant anything on it.

11. Coordinating conjunctions
Join the following pairs of sentences by using a coordinating conjunction to show how the ideas relate.
1. Cut flowers would look nice, but a potted plant would last longer.
[possible answer]
But shows that the two ideas contrast.

12. Coordinating conjunctions
Join the following pairs of sentences by using a coordinating conjunction to show how the ideas relate.
2. Huge pelicans were soaring over the waves, and they suddenly dove into the water for fish.
[possible answer]
And shows that the two clauses are parallel.

13. Coordinating conjunctions
Join the following pairs of sentences by using a coordinating conjunction to show how the ideas relate.
3. The field was no longer fertile, so the farmer did not plant anything on it.
[possible answer]
So shows that the two ideas have a cause-and-effect relationship.

14. Subordinating conjunctions
A subordinate clause (or dependent clause) cannot stand by itself as a sentence.
A subordinate clause has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.
Subject
Verb
until the sun sets
until the sun sets
until the sun sets
Subject
Verb
because it spoke to her
because it spoke to her
because it spoke to her

15. Subordinating conjunctions
An independent clause joined with a subordinate
clause make a complex sentence.
Independent Clause
Subordinate Clause
The temperature dropped
when the wind blew.
Independent Clause
Subordinate Clause
Sara pulled the weeds
while she sang softly.

16. Subordinating conjunctions
To identify a subordinate clause, ask whether it makes sense by itself.
Grammar Gal Says...
Independent clause
The temperature dropped.
Does it make sense by itself?
YES
When the wind blew.
Subordinate clause
Does it make sense by itself? NO

17. Subordinating conjunctions Common Subordinating Conjunctions
Each subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions as
before
since
when
although if
unless
whenever
because
once
until
while

18. Subordinating conjunctions
Which subordinating conjunction is used depends on how the two clauses relate to each other.
Can you find the subordinating conjunctions in these sentences?
independent clause
subordinate clause
The band played when the football team scored.
The band played when the football team scored.
Tells when the band played
independent clause
subordinate clause
I have to watch my sister until my mother gets home.
I have to watch my sister until my mother gets home.
Tells how long I have
to watch my sister

19. Subordinating conjunctions
Writers place the subordinate clause in different places depending on which idea they want to emphasize.
Although she had never been married, Miss Havisham wore her wedding dress.
Subordinate clause first
Subordinate clause last
Miss Havisham wore her wedding dress although she had never been married.
The idea that comes last is the one that readers will focus on.

20. Subordinating conjunctions
A subordinate clause can also be placed between the subject and the verb.
Subordinate clause between subject and verb
Miss Havisham, although she had never been married, wore her wedding dress.
Notice that when the subordinate clause comes in the middle of a sentence, commas are used before and after the clause.

21. Subordinating conjunctions
Combine each pair of sentences by using a subordinating conjunction to turn one of the sentences into a subordinate clause.
1. Most animals come in different sizes. None vary in size as much as dogs.
2. We spend most of our vacations at the lake. We like to fish.
3. The skirt is too long. We will hem it.

22. Subordinating conjunctions
Combine each pair of sentences by using a subordinating conjunction to turn one of the sentences into a subordinate clause.
[possible answers]
1. Although most animals come in different sizes, none vary in size as much as dogs.
1. Most animals come in different sizes, although none vary in size as much as dogs.

23. Subordinating conjunctions
Combine each pair of sentences by using a subordinating conjunction to turn one of the sentences into a subordinate clause.
[possible answers]
2. We spend most of our vacations at the lake because we like to fish.
2. Because we like to fish, we spend most of our vacations at the lake.

24. Subordinating conjunctions
Combine each pair of sentences by using a subordinating conjunction to turn one of the sentences into a subordinate clause.
[possible answers]
3. Because the skirt is too long, we will hem it.
3. We will hem the skirt because it is too long.

25. Subordinating conjunctions
On Your Own
Combine each pair of sentences by using a subordinating conjunction to turn one of the sentences into a subordinate clause.
The wildfire started. Someone had left a campfire burning.
This water is not safe for drinking. It can be used to water plants.
I was talking on the phone. My phone battery ran out.
Sofia ate pancakes. Her mother cooked them.

26. Subordinating conjunctions
Possible Answers
Combine each pair of sentences by using a subordinating conjunction to turn one of the sentences into a subordinate clause.
1. The wildfire started because someone had left a campfire burning.
2. Since this water is not safe for drinking, it can be used to water plants.
3. I was talking on the phone when its battery ran out.
After her mother cooked them, Sofia ate pancakes.

27. Review A
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences using the conjunction indicated.
1. The class could raise money for fitness equipment. It could contribute to the new sound system. (or)
2. George left for college. His sister got his bedroom. (when)
3. She answers the phone. Ask her about the homework. (if)
4. Camp activities are limited. Fewer students have enrolled. (because)
5. This band is unknown. Its new song is popular. (yet)

28. Review A
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences using the conjunction indicated.
1. The class could raise money for fitness equipment, or it could contribute to the new sound system.
2. When George left for college, his sister got his bedroom.
3. Ask her about the homework if she answers the phone.
4. Camp activities are limited because fewer students have enrolled.
5. This band is unknown, yet its new song is popular.

29. Review B
Turn each of the following pairs of sentences into a single compound or complex sentence. Use each strategy at least twice.
1. Birds perched in the branches. Squirrels ran up the trunk.
2. I have never played rugby before. It looks fun.
3. The river flooded. It destroyed homes.
The refugees’ life had been so hard. Their new home seemed like paradise.
The auditorium is complete. We will perform there.

30. Review B Possible Answers
Turn each of the following pairs of sentences into a single compound or complex sentence. Use each strategy at least twice.
1. Birds perched in the branches, and squirrels ran up the trunk.
2. Although I have never played rugby before, it looks fun.
3. When the river flooded, it destroyed homes.
4. The refugees’ life had been so hard, so their new home seemed like paradise.
5. Since the auditorium is complete, we will perform there.

31. The End