The conjunction is a very useful part of speech. Without it we would have many disconnected sentences requiring tiresome repetition of the same words. Like prepositions, there are not many conjunctions in English and they are readily recognized.
55. We will study about these conjunctions at length in later lessons. If you consult the following list of those most commonly used, you can easily pick out the conjunctions in your reading:
- and
- as
- as if
- after
- although
- as soon as
- because
- besides
- before
- but
- either
- for
- hence
- in order that
- lest
- neither
- nor
- or
- since
- still
- so
- then
- though
- that
- than
- therefore
- till
- until
- unless
- while
- whether
- yet
The seven classes of words which we have studied make up all of our sentences. The hundreds of words which we use in forming our sentences and expressing our thoughts belong to these seven classes. They are either nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions or conjunctions.
Exercise 5
Underscore the conjunctions in the following sentences. Notice whether they connect words or phrases or sentences.
- We cannot win unless we are organized.
- Books and music are true friends.
- Men, women and children work under conditions neither proper nor just.
- We must educate and organize.
- The workers on the farms and in the factories must be united.
- Winter has come and the birds are going South.
- We have been ignorant, therefore we have been exploited.
- We must learn before we can teach.
- We do not understand the situation, because we do not know the facts.
- Do you know whether these statements are true or false?
IT CAN BE DONE
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he, with a chuckle, replied