Definition

A conjunction is a word used to connect sentences or the parts of sentences.

For example

In the sentences:
The horse fell over the precipice, but the rider escaped.
and
The horse and rider fell over the precipice.
but in the first sentence connects two clauses;
and in the second sentence connects the two parts, horse and rider.

A pure conjunction forms no part of the material or substance of a sentence. A pure conjunction unites two or more elements into a single structure.
Besides pure conjunctions, a large class of words exists that enter into the sentence as a part of its substance to connect different elements or sentence parts. These can be called conjunctive words.

For example

In the sentence:
This is the pencil which I lost.
which is the object of lost and at the same time connects the dependent clause, which I lost, to pencil.

All such words are called connectives or conjunctive words.

Classes of Connectives

All connectives, whether pure conjunctions or conjunctive words, are divided into two classes:

• coordinate conjunctions
• subordinate conjunctions

Coordinate conjunctions are those which join similar or homogeneous elements.

For example

In the example sentence:
John and James were disciples.
John and James are similar in construction and have a common relation to the predicate, were disciples.

Two elements are coordinate, and consequently demand a coordinate conjunction, when they are placed in the same relation or rank.

For example

In the sentence:
The insects devoured leaves and blossoms.
leaves is dependent on devoured; blossoms is not only dependent on devoured, but also has precisely the same sort of dependence as leaves. Therefore they are coordinate with each other.

In the sentence:
The insects devoured the leaves greedily.
leaves and greedily are both dependent on devoured, but they do not have a similar dependence. They are not coordinate and cannot be connected by and or any other coordinate conjunction.

Coordinate connectives are always conjunctions, and may be divided into three classes:

• correlative
• adversative
• alternative

Correlative conjunctions are those which add parts in harmony with each other.

For example

The day dawned, and our friends departed.

The correlative conjunctions are:

• and
• so
• also
• likewise
• too
• besides
• furthermore
• now
• hence
• therefore
• wherefore
• consequently

Note on and

And is the connective of the most general character. It places the connected parts, whether they be words, phrases or clauses, in a relation of perfect equality without modification or emphasis.

These are connectives associated with and expressed or understood. They are used to give emphasis or some additional idea.

For example

Cromwell was a successful soldier; [and] besides, he was the greatest statesman of his age.

The following connectives are employed when we wish not only to make the second part emphatic, but to awaken an expectation of some addition.

• both — and
• as well — as
• not only — but also
• but — likewise
• first — secondly

For example

Both religion and reason condemn excess.

You might as well deny me at once as begin to find excuses.
Not only the wise and the learned, but also the common people, heard him gladly.

Adversative conjunctions are those which unite parts in opposition to or in contrast with each other.

For example

The fish was brought to the shore, but plunged into the water again.

Adversative conjunctions are employed:

• when the second part is placed in opposition to the first.

  For example

  It does not rain, but it snows.

• When the second part is placed in opposition to a supposed inference from the first.

  For example

  The army was victorious, but the general was slain.
  Here, to contrast the positive message of the first clause, the second clause preceded by but is added.

The adversative conjunctions are:

• but
• yet
• still
• nevertheless
• notwithstanding
• however
• now

Note on but

In a sentence like:
The army was victorious, but the general was slain.
but simply shows opposition without emphasis.

Both opposition and emphasis are both indicated in:
I shall go, but I shall not walk.

There are some others conjunctions associated with but, either expressed or understood, that give emphasis or some additional idea.

For example

The delinquent has been repeatedly admonished, (but) still he is as negligent as ever.

Alternative conjunctions are those which offer or deny a choice between two things.

For example

Obey and live, or disobey and die.
She can neither sing nor play.

The alternative conjunctions are:

• or that offers a choice
• nor that denies a choice
• else and otherwise associated with or for the sake of emphasis.
• either and neither used as correlatives of or and nor.

For example

We must fight, or our liberties are lost.
Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
Either the Turk or the Christian shall withdraw his forces.

Parts standing in a causal relation to each other are sometimes coordinate, but usually there are, in such cases, two connectives, one expressed and the other understood.

For example

The south wind blows, [and] therefore there must be rain.

Subordinate connectives are those which join dissimilar or heterogeneous elements.

For example

In the following sentence:
I shall go when the stage arrives.
when joins the subordinate clause when the stage arrives, to the verb shall go.
It is a part of the clause itself, being equivalent to at the time at which. It should be introduced in naming the clause; but not so with the pure coordinate conjunctions.

The connected element is always a proposition. It is subordinate, and consequently demands a subordinate connective, because it becomes merely a limiting expression of the antecedent term on which it depends. It is unlike the part with which it is connected, in its form, in ns relation or rank, and in its grammatical character.
A subordinate connective, like a preposition, always shows a relation of dependence. But the second term is a proposition instead of a noun or a pronoun.

Subordinate connectives are divided into three classes:

• those which connect noun clauses
• those which connect adjective clauses
• those which connect adverbial clauses

Substantive clauses containing a statement are connected by the conjunctions

• that
• that not
• but
• but that

For example

Addison acknowledged that he would rather inform than divert his readers.

Substantive clauses containing an inquiry are connected by the interrogatives:

• who
• which
• what
• where
• whither
• whence
• when
• how long
• how often
• why
• wherefore
• how

For example

I wish to know where we may look for redress.

Adjective clauses are connected by the relative pronouns

• who
• which
• what
• that
• whoever
• whosoever
• whichever
• whatever
• whatsoever

and sometimes the relative adverbs

• why
• when
• where

For example

A writer who abuses the confidence of friends should be treated with contempt.

Adverbial clauses are joined to the principal element by:

1. connectives that denote place. These connectives are:
   • where
   • whither
   • whence
   • wherever
   • as far as
   • as long as
   • farther than

   For example

   We feel that we are on the spot where the first scene of our history was laid.
   Webster

2. connectives that denote time. These connectives are:
   • when
   • while
   • as
   • before
   • after
   • ere
   • till
   • until
   • since
   • whenever
   • as long as
   • as soon as
   • as frequently as
   • as often as

   For example

   He scarce had ceased when the superior fiend Was moving to the shore.
   Milton

3. connectives that denote causal relations. These connectives are:
   • because
   • for
   • as
   • whereas
   • since
   • inasmuch
   • if
   • unless
   • though
   • lest
   • except
   • provided
   • provided that
   • that
   • that not
   • lest
   • though
   • although
   • notwithstanding
   • however
   • whatever
   • whoever
   • while

   For example

   A timid man shrinks from an enterprise because he fears a danger may be in the way.

4. connectives that denote manner. These connectives are:
   • as
   • just as
   • so — as
   • same — as
   • so — that
   • such — that
   • as — as
   • than
   • more than
   • less than

   For example

   True politeness requires you to act as a kind heart dictates.