Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest kind, and they denote equality of relationship between the ideas they join. Their relatives, correlative conjunctions, not only denote equality, but they also make the joining tighter and more emphatic.
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Coordinating Conjunctions
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Correlative Conjunctions
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and
but or nor for so yet |
both . . . and
not only . . . but also either . . . or neither . . . nor whether . . . or just as . . . so too |
Examples:
- John and Sally built a fish pond.
- The train was late, and Tom was tired.
- Just as the smell of baking brought back memories, so too did the taste of the cider.
Coordinating
and correlative conjunctions are great when two ideas are of the same
importance, but many times one idea is more important than another.
Subordinating
conjunctions allow a writer to show which idea is more and which is
less important. The idea in the main clause is the more important, while
the idea in the subordinate clause (made subordinate by the subordinating
conjunction) is less important. The subordinate clause supplies a time, reason,
condition, and so on for the main clause.
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Subordinating Conjunctions
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Time
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Reason
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Concession
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Place
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Condition
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Manner
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after
before since when whenever while until as as . . . as once |
because
since so that in order that why |
although
though even though while |
where
wherever |
if
unless until in case provided that assuming that even if |
as if
as though how |
Examples:
- Sally steamed the corn while Fred fried the steaks.
- After the rain stopped, the dog ran into the mud to play.
- The snowman melted because the sun came out.
- Even though John fell asleep, the telephone salesman kept talking.
