Conjunction

Identify clauses and sentences.

Use coordinating
and correlative
Objectives
conjunctions correctly.
Use subordinating conjunctions and
conjunctive adverbs correctly.
Use correct punctuation in sentences
containing coordinating, correlative, or
subordinating conjunctions or conjunctive
continued
adverbs.
PP 15-1a

continued

Identify correct parallel structure in

sentences.
DistinguishObjectives
between conjunctions and
prepositions.
Use commonly confused conjunction
expressions correctly.

PP 15-1b

Independent Clauses

An independent clause (or main clause)

can stand alone as a complete sentence. A
clause has a complete subject and
predicate.
Proper nutrition helps stabilize your
moods.
Stress is emotional tension caused by
everyday events in our lives.
PP 15-2

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause (or subordinate

clause) also contains a subject and a
predicate; however, a dependent clause
is not a complete sentence and cannot
stand alone.
A dependent clause requires an
independent clause to make sense.
A dependent clause may appear before
or after an independent clause.

PP 15-3a

continued

Examples

Dependent Clause

Before Vivian leaves work for the day,

she organizes her desk.
Judi recommends exercising after a
stressful day.

PP 15-3b

Types of Sentences

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex

PP 15-4

Simple Sentence

A simple sentence consists of one

complete subject and one complete
predicate. The subject, the predicate, or
both may be compound.
Audrey had a demanding day at work.
Audrey and Bruce work in the same office.

PP 15-5

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two

simple independent clauses connected by
a conjunction such as or, and, nor, or but.
Audrey had a demanding day at work, but
she is looking forward to having dinner
with friends.
Anger is meant to intimidate other people,
and this often appears to be true.
PP 15-6

Complex Sentence

A complex sentence contains an

independent clause and one or more
dependent clauses.
If you have been a victim in the downsizing
of a company, you have experienced
stress.

PP 15-7

Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence contains

more than one independent clause and one
or more dependent clauses.
Relaxation techniques help reverse
coronary disease; however, since this
beneficial health information is not widely
publicized, not all doctors know about this
philosophy of health care.
PP 15-8

Coordinating Conjunctions

Join words, phrases, or clauses that are

equal in grammatical construction and
importance.
and
or but
nor
Insert a comma before a coordinating
conjunction that separates two
independent clauses.

PP 15-9a

continued

Coordinating Conjunctions

Use but to express a contrasting idea.

Home-based business owners usually enjoy their work, but they
can become the victims of burnout.

Use and to show an addition.

Your thoughts and reactions to events can influence your health.

Use or to indicate a choice.

Lee copes with stress by meditating or by making jokes about
difficult situations.
PP 15-9b

continued

Coordinating Conjunctions

Use nor to make a second choice

Liz and Tony did not agree on the topics for the stress
negative.
management workshop, nor did they agree on the speakers.

PP 15-9c

continued

Coordinating Conjunctions

Do not use a comma before a

coordinating conjunction that links two
Relaxation can inject happiness and fulfillment into your daily
words or phrases.
routine.
Do not use a comma before a
conjunction if the material following the
conjunction is not a complete sentence.
Losing your temper may get attention but usually makes the
situation worse.
PP 15-9d

continued

Coordinating Conjunctions

Use commas to separate three or more

words, phrases, or clauses in a series.
Include a comma before the coordinating
conjunction.
Ways to reduce stress include yoga, meditation,
and exercise.

Do not place a comma after the last item in a

series.

Joanne usually chooses soup, salad, or a pasta dish

for lunch.

PP 15-9e

Correlative Conjunctions

Join words, phrases, and sentences of

equal importance.
Appear in pairs, and both parts receive
the same attention.
both/and
either/or
whether/or

neither/nor
not only/but also

PP 15-10a

Correlative Conjunctions

Examples

Either Bernice or Lauren determines the

work schedule.
The speaker not only described the
benefits of laughter but also related some
personal stories to illustrate her point.

PP 15-10b

Subordinating Conjunctions

Introduce a dependent clause and link it

to an independent clause.
Use a subordinating conjunction to
introduce a dependent clause.
Place the comma after a dependent
clause that begins a sentence.
Whenever Lynn has a break, she takes a walk around the block.

PP 15-11a

continued

Subordinating Conjunctions

Generally, do not use a comma before a

dependent clause that appears at the
end of a sentence.
Our company hired Jack because he has
strong conflict resolution skills.

PP 15-11b

Conjunctive Adverbs

Show the relationship between two

independent clauses of equal weight. The
words are adverbs, but they also function
as Use
connectors.
a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb
when it joins two independent clauses.
Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb of two
or more syllables.

PP 15-12a

continued

Conjunctive Adverbs

consequently furthermore

hence

however

indeed

instead

likewise

moreover

nevertheless

otherwise

similarly

still

therefore

thus
PP 15-12b

continued

Conjunctive Adverbs

Examples

Exercise can reduce lower-back pain;

nevertheless, you should see a doctor before
beginning an exercise program.
Chris and I planned to eat lunch together;
instead, I ate a sandwich at my desk.
I felt isolated and stressed working at home;
therefore, I requested a transfer to a local
branch office.
PP 15-12c

Parallelism

Parallelism is the linking together of similar

grammatical parts in a sentence.
To have parallel sentence structure, similar
constructions should be connected such as
nouns to other nouns, verbs to other verbs,
or clauses to other clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions or correlative
conjunctions join these parallel parts of a
sentence.
PP 15-13a

continued

Examples

Parallelism

Relaxation can include reading for pleasure,

playing with your child, or participating in
sports activities.
One way to fight stress is to discuss your
problems with either a friend or a relative.
You can calm both your mind and your body
by thinking positive thoughts.
PP 15-13b

Conjunctions and Prepositions

Determine the appropriate function of a

word in a sentence. Some words may be
both prepositions and conjunctions; for
example, before, after, until, for,
than, and since.
She will not load the software until she finishes the report.
Use a conjunction to connect clauses.
Rick always arrives at work after he drops off his children at
school.

PP 15-14a

continued

Conjunctions and Prepositions

Use a preposition when an object is

expressed or understood; conjunctions
do not have objects.

She will not load the software until Friday.

Rick always arrives at work after 9 p.m.

PP 15-14b

Try To, Be Sure To, Go To

Do not use expressions such as try and,

go and, and be sure and when the
infinitive form is needed. Use try to, go
to, and be sure to.

I would like to try to determine my own

work schedule this week.
Be sure to call me when you want to take
a break.

PP 15-15

As, As if, As Though, Like

Use the conjunctions as, as if, or as

though to introduce a subordinate
clause. The clause will have a verb in it.
Linda acts as if she is overworked.

Use the preposition like to introduce a

prepositional phrase. The prepositional
phrase will not contain a verb.
Katherine wants a consulting job like
mine.

PP 15-16

As . . . As, So . . .As

Use as . . . as in positive comparisons.

Karen is as effective as Joe in handling
irate customers.

Use so . . . as in negative comparisons.

Karen is not so effective as Joe in handling
irate customers.

Do not use equally as, which is a

redundant phrase.
PP 15-17

Where, That

Do not use the conjunction where

instead of that to introduce a clause
that includes a reference to a location.
I read in a magazine that thinking about
past mistakes causes stress. (Do not use I
read in a magazine where . . . .)

PP 15-18