CONJUNCTIONS.
Definition.
294. A conjunction
is a linking word, connecting words, word groups, sentences, or sentence
groups.
295. Unlike adverbs,
conjunctions do not modify: they are used solely for the purpose of
connecting.
Examples of the use of conjunctions:—
They connect words.
(1) Connecting words: "It is the very necessity
and condition of existence;" "What a simple but exquisite
illustration!"
Word groups: Phrases.
Clauses.
(2) Connecting word groups: "Hitherto the two
systems have existed in different States, but side by side within the
American Union;" "This has happened because the Union is a confederation
of States."
Sentences.
(3) Connecting sentences: "Unanimity in this case
can mean only a very large majority. But even unanimity itself is far
from indicating the voice of God."
Paragraphs.
(4) Connecting sentence groups: Paragraphs would be
too long to quote here, but the student will readily find them, in which the
writer connects the divisions of narration or argument by such words as
but, however, hence, nor, then,
therefore, etc.
Classes of conjunctions.
296. Conjunctions have two
principal divisions:—
(1) Coördinate, joining words, word groups,
etc., of the same rank.
(2) Subordinate, joining a subordinate or dependent
clause to a principal or independent clause.
HOW TO PARSE CONJUNCTIONS.
304. In parsing
conjunctions, tell—
(1) To what class and subclass they belong.
(2) What words, word groups, etc., they connect.
Caution.
In classifying them, particular attention must
be paid to the meaning of the word.
Some conjunctions, such as nor, and, because, when, etc., are regularly
of one particular class; others belong to several classes. For example, compare
the sentences,—
1. It continued raining, so that I could not stir
abroad.—Defoe
2. There will be an agreement in whatever variety of
actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour.—Emerson
3. It was too dark to put an arrow into the creature's
eye; so they paddled on.—Kingsley
In sentence 1, so that expresses result, and its
clause depends on the other, hence it is a subordinate conjunction of result;
in 2, so means provided,—is subordinate of condition; in 3,
so means therefore, and its clause is independent, hence it is a
coördinate conjunction of reason. |
