Which conjunction should i use

Without conjunctions, we could only make very, very simple sentences. See also What is a Conjunction? A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence for example words or independent clauses that are grammatically equal or similar.

A coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and structure:. There are seven coordinating conjunctions, and they are all short words of only two or three letters:. Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]:.

Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join. When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction:. However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential:. A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate dependent clause to a main independent clause:.

In this case, a semicolon may replace the comma. The figures at elite universities, particularly, are enough to cause sticker shock; yet the current increases at many schools are the lowest in a decade. Commas are not used between two verbs, two subjects, two complements, or two objects joined by a coordinating conjunction. That confuses most analogies between universities and profit-making enterprises.

Until the company reaches a satisfactory agreement with the union, the workers will remain on strike. How long will the strike go on for? Until the company reaches a satisfactory agreement with the union.

Is this article helpful? She is passionate about helping people communicate clearly and effectively. Other students also liked. Commas , Commas can be tricky to get right, but mastering them will improve your writing. Learn when to use commas and when to leave them out. Using parallel structure in writing Repeating the same grammatical structure in different parts of a sentence improves your style by making your writing more balanced. Choosing the right prepositions Prepositions are flexible words that express relationships between things.

Using the right one can be central to the meaning of a sentence. Data was gathered through questionnaires , and interviews. Data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews. She usually studies in the library , or at a cafe. She usually studies in the library or at a cafe. Data was gathered through questionnaires , and selected respondents participated in interviews.

She usually studies in the library , but when it is too busy she goes to a cafe. Swimming and reading are both subjects in the sentence. Please place the papers on top of the desk or in the drawer. On top of the desk and in the drawer are both prepositional phrases.

She wanted to drive the car, but she had never received her license. She wanted to drive the car and she had never received her license are both independent clauses. Use correlative conjunctions in pairs to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical value. Correct use of these conjunctions is critical in achieving parallelism in sentence structure see TIP Sheet on "Achieving Parallelism". You must decide either to fly or to drive.

The elements to fly and to drive are both infinitives.