How to use conjunctions

Instruction: The tutor may ask the student to make one sentence for each part during the session and assign the same to be completed as homework.

A. Seven Major Coordinating Conjunctions

(BOYFANS)

It is good to use a conjunction to connect two independent sentences(or clauses). This makes essays more concise, smooth and integral. The following examples illustrate this. a. The speaker raised his hand. The classroom became quiet. b. The speaker raised his hand, and the classroom became quiet. a. She broke her arm. She couldn't play the piano. b. She broke her arm, so she couldn't play the piano. The integrity of sentence (b) is better than sentence (a). If we misuse the conjunction or do not use a suitable one, the essay will be awkward. Here we introduce seven crucial Coordinating Conjunctions. You need to understand how to use these when you write your essay. It is easiest to remember them by the acronym

"BOYFANS". B ----- but O ----- or Y ----- yet F ----- for A ----- and N ----- nor S ----- so (connects two opposite ideas) (1. choice 2. otherwise) (connects two opposite ideas) (because)----Not used at the beginning of a sentence (add an idea) (and........not)---- used after "not" (for the reason given; therefore)

The rule for using "BOYFANS" is to add a[ , ] before a conjunction. (independent sentence , and independent sentence) The speaker raised his hand, and the classroom became quiet.

Examples: But
Mr. Lee is kind, but his brother is sharp. Exercise 01: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

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Or
She had to have the operation, or she would die. I should have brought a tape recorder, or at least I should have taken notes. Exercise 02: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

Yet
I worked hard, yet I failed. Exercise 03: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

For
Tom must be ill, for he is absent today. Exercise 04: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

And
Alice moved to New York, and John moved to Vancouver. Exercise 05: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

Nor
He doesn't want to live in the country when he grows up, nor does he want to live in the city. Exercise 06: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

So
He was ill, so he did not come. Exercise 07: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

B. Adverbial Conjunctions
Besides "BOYFANS", some adverbial conjunctions also have the same function of connecting two independent sentences. The adverbial conjunctions are often used in formal situations. Punctuation such as [ ; ] and [ , ] are used in the sentence. ( Independent Sentence ; therefore, Independent Sentence ) I had worked hard; therefore, I expected results. There are six types of the adverbial conjunctions.

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1. (= and) moreover furthermore besides in addition (= in addition to) also likewise 2. (= but) however nevertheless 3. (=So) therefore accordingly consequently hence thus 4. Choice Function instead otherwise (= or) 5. at the same time meanwhile in the meanwhile meantime in the meantime 6. Emphasis Function indeed in fact ( = actually)

Examples: (A.) (= and) 1. moreover

The jet was the fastest way to get there; moreover, it was the most comfortable. Exercise 08: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

2. furthermore
The doctor told her to lose weight; furthermore, he insisted that she stop smoking. Exercise 09: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

3. besides
I don't like this hat; besides, it is too expensive. Exercise 10: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

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(B.) (= but) 1. however

a. I am short; however, my brother is tall b. I am short. However, my brother is tall. c. I am short; my brother, however, is tall. d. I am short; my brother is tall, however. (a) and (b) are used more often than (c) and (d) . Exercise 11: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

2. nevertheless
The restaurant is always too crowded on Saturday; nevertheless, it serves the best food in town. Exercise 12: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

(C.) (=So) 1. therefore

I was ill; therefore, I couldn't come. Exercise 13: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

2. accordingly
He was too ill to stay; accordingly, we sent him home. Exercise 14: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

3. consequently
The hurricane struck last night; consequently, it caused a huge loss. Exercise 15: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

(D.) Choice Function 1. instead

Don't come to school tomorrow; instead, meet me at the bar. Compare the sentence below, which uses instead of. Instead of coffee, I want tea. (instead of = in place of ) Exercise 16: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

2. otherwise

(= or)

You must study hard; otherwise, you'll fail. Exercise 17: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

(E.) at the same time 1. meanwhile

I was talking to my teacher in the classroom; meanwhile, my parents arrived there. Exercise 18: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

(F.) Emphasis Function

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1. in fact
These running shoes are expensive; in fact, they cost for too much. Exercise 19: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence.

2. Indeed
He did not object to my proposal; indeed, he gave several reasons for supporting it. Exercise 20: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence. Besides these adverbial conjunctions, we supply three additional ones.

then afterward(s) later on

These three conjunctions have the same meaning. When we use them, the comma after the conjunction must be omitted. ( Independent sentence ; afterward Independent sentence ) The campus police asked them to go home; afterward the police began to arrest some of the demonstrators. Attention: We must avoid using more than one adverbial conjunction in one sentence. For example: He planned to go home; however, he did not go; consequently, his Mom got mad. We should change it to He planned to go home; however, he did not go. Consequently, his Mom got mad. Exercise 21: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

C. How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions to Create Complex Sentences.

We can create a complex sentence by using a subordinating conjunction, which specifies the meanings of purpose, result, condition, time and place. We link the following sentences with a subordinating conjunction. 1. The police stood by the door 2. They could block our entrance.

We use "so that" to link the two sentences The police stood by the door so that they could block our entrance. 1. It was raining. 2. He went there.

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We use another subordinating conjunction "although" to link the two sentences. Although it was raining, he went there. From the examples above, we see that a complex sentence is made of an independent clause (IC) and a dependent clause (DC). "The police stood by the door" and " he went there" are both independent clauses, and "so that they could block our entrance" and "although it was raining" are dependent clauses. Because the meaning of the DC is not enough, we must add an IC to make the sentences complete. There are two types of complex sentence. 1. Starting with an independent sentence ( independent sentence + if + dependent sentence ) We can finish our homework if Mary leaves. 2. Starting with a dependent sentence ( dependent sentence , independent sentence ) If Mary leaves, we can finish our homework. Attention: Starting with an independent sentence, there is no [,]. Starting with a dependent sentence, we must add [,]. Exercise 22: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

Following are common subordinating conjunctions and examples. You'll produce a better essay if you spend time to compose sentences using these conjunctions.

Examples: 1. Although Though Even though Even if

a. Although he is very old, he is still active. b. I will go even though you won't go with me. c. I'll do it even if I get scolded. Exercise 23: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

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2.

Because Since

a. He cannot go to school because he is ill. Compare (b) with (a). b. He cannot go to school because of illness. c. It is useless to ask him since he doesn't intend to do it. Compare (d),(e), and (c), notice the differences between them. d. He has stayed here since his father died. . ("since" is used with the perfect tense.) e. I have been living in Taiwan since 1949. ("since" is a preposition) Exercise 24: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

3. In order that So that

a. They are being careful in order that an accident won't happen again. Notice the difference between " in order to" in sentence (b) and "in order that" in sentence (a). b. I need to find her in order to talk to her. ( "in order to " is a preposition.)

In order to + Verb In order that + Clause

Exercise 25: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences. c. I will go so that I can see the candidate. Exercise 26: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence. Let us compare " so.....that" in the next sentence with "so that" in the previous sentence (c). d. It was so hot (that) I took off my coat. Exercise 27: Make sentences using the word as the above sentence. Notice the differences and similarities in the next four sentences. a. I turned off the radio, so my son went to sleep. (so-result) b. I turned off the radio so that my son could go to sleep. (so that-purpose) c. I turned off the radio, for my son needed to go sleep. (for-because) d. I turned off the radio because my son needed to go sleep. (because)

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Exercise 28: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

4.

(Conditions ) If Provided that (= if ) As long as Unless

a. If you cannot come, please let me know. b. You may keep the book a further week provided that no one else requires it. c. I will go as long as you go with me. d. I won't go unless you go with me. Exercise 29: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

5. As if As though (=As if)

a. He talks as if he were very rich. b. He talks as though he were very rich. Exercise 30: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

6. Whether
a. Whether we help him or not, he will fail. (Whether.....or not) b. I don't know whether he is ill. (whether = if ) Exercise 31: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

7.

(Time) When While As Whenever Until Before

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After
a. It was raining when we started. b. While I was speaking, she said nothing. c. I met him as I was coming here. d. I will go whenever you say. e. I won't go until you say it is time. f. You must think carefully before you answer. g. After the game was over, we all went out for pizza. We can compare sentence (h) with sentence (g). h. After the game, we all went out for pizza.

"After the game" is a preposition phrase, but "After the game was over" is a subordinate clause. Exercise 32: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

8. Place Where Wherever

a. We must camp where we can get water. b. I will go wherever you send me. Exercise 33: Make sentences using the word as the above sentences.

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D. Run-On Sentences
What is a " run-on sentence"? Before answering this question, we need to know what a sentence is. A sentence (or complete sentence) must have a subject and a verb, and have an intact concept . For example: Chocolate was discovered in the New World. 1. Subject is "Chocolate". 2. Verb is " was discovered". 3. Having intact concept. A sentence can be "complete" even if the subject is omitted, For example: Lend me your pen, please. ( Would you lend me your pen, please.) A fragment is a damaged sentence. Without a subject or verb, a fragment does not have a complete idea. Although we often use fragments in spoken English, it must be avoided while writing a formal essay. All below are fragments. Delivered the plans to my office (lack of subject) The teacher to my office To my office (lack of verb)

(lack of subject and verb)

When the staff delivered the plans (having subject and verb, but without intact idea) Actually, the phrases we use are often a fragment For example: to have a good job on the bus What is a Run-On Sentence? A run-On Sentence incorrectly combines two or more sentences. For example: Strong competition exists among restaurants, each of them carefully guards its own recipes. If we add "so" before "each", what has happened? Strong competition exists among restaurants, so each of them carefully guards its own recipes.

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Don't you feel that the latter is more smooth and intact ? More " run-on sentence" examples are provided as well as the corrected complete sentence. Example 1 (run-on sentence) I met Diana again we were happy to see each other. We can use a period to separate this into two complete sentences. I met Diana again. We were happy to see each other. Example 2 (run-on sentence) I met Diana again, we were happy to see each other. One of the following ways of correcting a run-on sentence is to change it to a complete compound sentence. I met Diana again, and we were happy to see each other. I met Diana again; furthermore, we were happy to see each other. I met Diana again; we were happy to see each other. We can use "when" to make it into a complex sentence. When I met Diana again, we were happy to see each other. We were happy to see each other when I met Diana again.

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