Conjunctions play a crucial role in constructing complex sentences. They serve as the glue that holds various parts of a sentence together, enabling us to convey intricate ideas, relationships, and nuances. Understanding how to use conjunctions effectively can significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills in English. This article delves into the world of conjunctions, focusing particularly on their role in complex sentences. We will explore different types of conjunctions, their functions, and provide examples to help you master their usage.
Understanding Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. They are essential for creating complex sentences, which consist of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. There are three main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. However, when it comes to complex sentences, subordinating conjunctions are the primary focus.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect an independent clause (a complete sentence that can stand alone) with a dependent clause (a sentence fragment that cannot stand alone). These conjunctions indicate a relationship between the two clauses, such as cause and effect, contrast, condition, time, or purpose. Some common subordinating conjunctions include:
– Because
– Although
– Since
– Unless
– While
– When
– After
– Before
– If
Let’s examine how these subordinating conjunctions function in complex sentences.
Cause and Effect
Subordinating conjunctions like because, since, and as are used to show cause and effect relationships between clauses.
1. Because:
– Example: She stayed home because she was feeling ill.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “because she was feeling ill” explains the reason for the action in the independent clause “She stayed home.”
2. Since:
– Example: Since it was raining, we decided to cancel the picnic.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Since it was raining” provides the cause for the decision in the independent clause “we decided to cancel the picnic.”
3. As:
– Example: As he was late, he missed the opening remarks.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “As he was late” gives the reason for the outcome in the independent clause “he missed the opening remarks.”
Contrast
Subordinating conjunctions like although, though, and even though are used to show contrast between clauses.
1. Although:
– Example: Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Although she was tired” contrasts with the action in the independent clause “she finished her homework.”
2. Though:
– Example: Though it was expensive, he bought the car.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Though it was expensive” contrasts with the decision in the independent clause “he bought the car.”
3. Even though:
– Example: Even though they argued, they remained friends.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Even though they argued” contrasts with the outcome in the independent clause “they remained friends.”
Condition
Subordinating conjunctions like if, unless, and provided that are used to show conditions under which something will happen.
1. If:
– Example: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “If you study hard” sets the condition for the result in the independent clause “you will pass the exam.”
2. Unless:
– Example: Unless it stops raining, we can’t go hiking.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Unless it stops raining” sets the condition for the action in the independent clause “we can’t go hiking.”
3. Provided that:
– Example: Provided that you finish your work, you can leave early.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Provided that you finish your work” sets the condition for the privilege in the independent clause “you can leave early.”
Time
Subordinating conjunctions like when, while, after, before, and until are used to show the timing of actions.
1. When:
– Example: When the bell rings, the students will leave the classroom.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “When the bell rings” indicates the timing for the action in the independent clause “the students will leave the classroom.”
2. While:
– Example: While I was reading, the phone rang.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “While I was reading” indicates the timing for the action in the independent clause “the phone rang.”
3. After:
– Example: After she finished her work, she went for a walk.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “After she finished her work” indicates the timing for the action in the independent clause “she went for a walk.”
4. Before:
– Example: Before the sun sets, we need to reach the campsite.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Before the sun sets” indicates the timing for the action in the independent clause “we need to reach the campsite.”
5. Until:
– Example: Until he apologizes, she won’t speak to him.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “Until he apologizes” indicates the timing for the action in the independent clause “she won’t speak to him.”
Purpose
Subordinating conjunctions like so that and in order that are used to show the purpose of an action.
1. So that:
– Example: She saved money so that she could travel.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “so that she could travel” indicates the purpose of the action in the independent clause “She saved money.”
2. In order that:
– Example: He left early in order that he might catch the train.
– Explanation: The dependent clause “in order that he might catch the train” indicates the purpose of the action in the independent clause “He left early.”
Combining Conjunctions
In complex sentences, it’s common to use more than one subordinating conjunction to convey nuanced relationships between clauses. Let’s look at some examples:
1. Because and Although:
– Example: Because she was tired, she went to bed early, although she had a lot of work to do.
– Explanation: The sentence uses “Because” to show the cause and “although” to show contrast.
2. If and When:
– Example: If you call me when you arrive, I will come to pick you up.
– Explanation: The sentence uses “If” to set a condition and “when” to indicate timing.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using conjunctions correctly can be challenging, especially for language learners. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
1. Incorrect Placement of Commas:
– Mistake: She went to the store, because she needed milk.
– Correction: She went to the store because she needed milk.
– Tip: Do not place a comma before a subordinating conjunction in a complex sentence.
2. Misusing Conjunctions:
– Mistake: Although he was late, but he finished the work.
– Correction: Although he was late, he finished the work.
– Tip: Avoid using two conjunctions that convey the same meaning in one sentence.
3. Fragmented Sentences:
– Mistake: When I arrived. The meeting had already started.
– Correction: When I arrived, the meeting had already started.
– Tip: Ensure that your dependent clause is connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Practice Exercises
To master the use of conjunctions in complex sentences, it’s essential to practice. Here are some exercises to help you:
1. Combine the following sentences using the appropriate subordinating conjunction:
– She was hungry. She didn’t eat anything.
– (Although) Although she was hungry, she didn’t eat anything.
2. Identify the conjunction and the type of relationship it shows:
– She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.
– Conjunction: So that
– Relationship: Purpose
3. Rewrite the sentences by correcting the mistakes:
– If you will study hard, you will pass the exam.
– Corrected: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
Conclusion
Conjunctions are indispensable tools in constructing complex sentences. By understanding the different types of subordinating conjunctions and their functions, you can create sentences that effectively convey cause and effect, contrast, condition, time, and purpose. Mastering conjunctions will not only improve your writing and speaking skills but also enhance your overall command of the English language. Practice regularly, and soon you’ll find yourself using conjunctions with confidence and precision.
