An Introduction to

1
An Introduction to
Conjunctions

• Compound Sentences
• Coordinating Conjunctions
• FANBOYS
• Complex Sentences
• Subordinating Conjunctions
• A WHITE BUS

Conjunctions are
2
Important Definitions
Clause a group of words that contains a subject
and a verb Independent clause a group of words
that contains a subject and verb and expresses a
complete thought (complete sentence) Dependent
clause a group of words that contains a subject
and verb but does NOT expresses a complete
thought (incomplete sentence) Conjunction a
word used in writing to join words or parts
of a sentence together
3
Compound Sentence

• Made up of 2 independent clauses
• We call these 2 clauses coordinate clauses when
  combined
• The 2 clauses are of equal importance
• A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) connects the
  2 clauses

4
The Seven Coordinating Conjunctions
FANBOYS

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

FANBOYS
Bonus You can also use a semicolon ( )
5
Complex Sentence

• Made up of 1 independent and 1 dependent clause
• When combined, we call the independent clause a
  main clause and the dependent clause a
  subordinate clause
• The main clause is more important than the
  dependent clause
• A subordinating conjunction (A WHITE BUS)
  connects the 2 clauses
• Subordinating conjunctions introduce the
  subordinate (dependent) clause in a complex
  sentence

6
A List of Subordinating Conjunctions
A WHITE BUS

• A after, although, as
• W when, whenever, where, wherever, while,
  whereas
• H how
• I if
• T than, though (relative pronouns that)
• E even though, even if
• B because, before
• U unless, until
• S since, so that

7
Coordinating Conjunctions Practice

• 1. I wanted to get a huge TV, but I only got a
  flat screen.
• 2. Billy Bob and Robert went to get ice-cream,
  but it was all sold out.
• 3. Annie got scared when she saw a ghost, so
  Annie ran far, far away.
• 4. Ben thought he was being funny, but he got a
  detention.

8
Subordinating Conjunctions Practice

1. When I got my test back, I was very
happy. 2. Before I went bed, I listened to my
I-pod. 3. Although I failed my test, I was still
proud of myself. 4. Until my mom came to pick me
up, I would wait at the school. 5. I told my
friend I could not go to her house because I was
going skating.