1. How to identify conjunctions and their functions

2. Conjunctions Join words, phrases, or clauses
Indicate the relation between the elements joined
Four types of conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions
Conjunctive adverbs

3. Coordinating Conjunctions
Function: connect grammatically equal elements
The 7 coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet
Example:
My favorite summer activities are swimming and running.
And is connecting two grammatically equal elements that are in the form of gerunds

4. Correlative Conjunctions
Function: pairs of conjunctions that connect grammatically equal elements
Five pairs of correlative conjunctions:
either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also,
whether…or, both…and
Example:
Neither Katie nor Bobby were interested in eating out on Friday night.
Katie and Bobby are both nouns which are grammatically equal

5. Subordinating Conjunction
Function: introduce subordinate clauses and indicate their relation to the rest of the sentence
Subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even though, if, in order that, rather than, since, so that, than, than, though, unless, until, when, where, whether, while
Example:
Whether it rains or shines, we will go to the concert.
Whether indicates that the clause is subordinate and dependent on the remainder of the sentence

6. Conjunctive Adverbs
Function: indicate relation between independent clauses
Preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma
Some conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, also, anyway, certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, however, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, therefore, thus, then
Example:
Ryan felt very highly of the teenager who applied for the job; however, he was fully staffed and couldn’t offer him a job.
however indicates a relationship between the two independent clauses which are separated by a semicolon.