Conjunctions | Chapter 12 | English Grammar | Benjamin Hathaway

1001 Questions and Answers on English Grammar by Benjamin Hathaway 9. Conjunctions 1. What is a conjunction? It is a word that joins words, phrases, and clauses. As, I spoke, and he listened. He listened, but he could not hear. We piped, while they danced. I see, that you could not help it. They went, because they wished it. two in what important respects does the conjunction differ from the preposition a its usual and principal use is to join two prepositions together thus it could not fly because it was wounded the sun was up but it was hidden by the cloud b though some conjunctions connect words these words are of equal rank coordinate as he and i were mistaken The preposition is not used in either of these cases. 3. Give sentences in which the connected words are adjectives. 1. Washington was a great and good man. 2. Never use language that is either profane or obscene. 3. William Penn met the Indians in a kind and loving spirit. 4. Alexander was neither pious nor reverential. 4. Give sentences in which the connected words are verbs. 1. Whether they will receive or reject the proposal is unknown. 2. A good pupil never hates nor disobeys his teacher. 3. Reproof either hardens or softens its object. 5. Give four sentences in which the connected words are adverbs. 1. She speaks fluently and correctly. 2. He writes rapidly and elegantly. 3. He expresses himself neither readily nor perfectly. 4. I must act in this case either now or never. 6. Give four sentences in which phrases are connected. 1. In the heavens and on earth. 2. In man's heart and over his destiny God reigns. 2. Both the ties of nature and the dictates of policy demand this. 3. Most of them are preeminent wisdom, of decision, of character, and of inflexible integrity. 4. Major Dane wandered over the mountains and over the moor. 7. Give four examples in which sentences are connected. 1. Cicero was an orator, but Virgil was a poet. 2. Socrates was more honorable than any other man of his time. 3. Time is short, but eternity long. 4. Let the slothful beware, and let the wicked tremble. 8. How are conjunctions classified? The most important division is that according to their use, into coordinate and subordinate. 9. Define coordinate conjunctions. They are those that join elements of equal rank or class. The commonest of this class are and, or, but, nor, as he that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 10. Define a subordinate conjunction. It is one that joins two elements, one of which is dependent on the other. as, I went into the garden when the grass was wet with dew. 11. Distinguish conjunctions with reference to meaning. These connective words are used so as to affect the meaning variously, and because of this, grammarians differ in the classification of them. They are treated best, perhaps, by making a slight review of them. A. The commonest conjunctions simply connect couples of elements, adding to the meaning and are called copulatives as few and short were the prayers we said a fool speaks all his mind but a wise man reserves something b or implies an alternative and is usually called so nor is like it c either and or and their negatives neither and nor are called correlatives, because they are generally used in pairs, one referring to the other. There are also other pairs used in this way, both, and, not only, but also, etc. d. But, yet, still, nevertheless, notwithstanding, usually imply something opposed to what has been stated, and hence are called adversative or disjunctive thus you thought him honest but he is not e for therefore hence because and since point out a reason and are therefore called conjunctions of cause as because my country calls me i will obey f some of the conjunctions are conjunctions of time and place thus where whence when as while before ere since after as soon as etc pride may be pampered while the flesh grows lean g the conjunctions if lest except though etc are called conjunctions of condition as if the hill will not come to Mahomet Mahomet will go to the hill 12. What is a compound conjunction? Two or more conjunctions combined, as, as though, as if, in as much as, as well as, in order that, as soon as, as far as, as many as, except that, but also, not only, etc. End of section 12.