Conjunctions Conjunctions are words that link phrases or other words together.
Some sentences are made up of more than one clause. These clauses are often joined together using conjunctions to make more interesting sentences. I like when my room is neat and tidy, but I really hate doing the vacuuming. Our teacher wasn’t well, yet she came to school.
The word ‘and’ in the first example links the list of words in the first clause, while the word ‘but’ links the second clause with the first. In the second example, ‘yet’ links the two phrases, as the second is in spite of the first – even though the teacher was sick, she still came to school.
I didn’t do my homework because I was busy. In this sentence, the word ‘because’ introduces the reason behind the first clause.
The following are examples of commonly used conjunctions. although
by as
as long as before
even if despite for
Understand
1. Using the list of common conjunctions above, link each phrase in column one with a phrase in column two. Then write out the full sentences in your copy.
He passed his exams
Michelle arrived to her interview on time You can go to the cinema this evening They will go to the beach
You won’t pass your driving test
the weather is fine. you practise more.
he didn’t do much revision. the heavy traffic.
you have finished your homework. 2. Find the conjunctions in the poem ‘Not’ on page 326.
3. Complete the following sentences using a conjunction to add further information. (a) I missed the bus … (b) He dropped his phone in a puddle ... (c) We bought him a new bicycle ... (d) She was in hospital … (e) I don’t know …
