Hey Grade 7! Ever feel like your sentences are just... there? Like a bunch of Lego blocks piled up, not built into something cool? That’s where conjunctions swoop in like grammar superheroes! They’re the glue, the connectors, the magic words that link your ideas together and make your writing flow smoothly. Today, we're cracking the code on two main types: Coordinating and Subordinating conjunctions. Let's level up your writing!
The Basics: What's a Conjunction Anyway?
Simple! A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb). Think of them like bridges or train couplings – they connect different parts to make a bigger, better whole.
Team 1: Coordinating Conjunctions - The Equal Partners
Meet the FANBOYS! That's right, the easiest way to remember the 7 Coordinating Conjunctions is the acronym F - A - N - B - O - Y - S:
* F = For (shows reason or purpose - a bit formal, like "because")
* A = And (adds information)
* N = Nor (presents a negative alternative - "not this and not that")
* B = But (shows contrast or exception)
* O = Or (presents an alternative)
* Y = Yet (shows contrast or exception, similar to "but" but often with surprise)
* S = So (shows result or consequence)
Why "Equal Partners"? Coordinating conjunctions join things that are the same kind and equally important:
1. Words: "I need pencils and paper." (Two nouns)
2. Phrases: "We searched under the bed and behind the couch." (Two prepositional phrases)
3. Independent Clauses: "I wanted pizza for dinner, but my sister craved tacos." (Two complete sentences/simple ideas joined together).
The Comma Rule: When you join two independent clauses (two complete sentences) with a FANBOYS conjunction, you NEED a comma BEFORE the conjunction!
* ✅ Correct: "The game was intense, and the crowd went wild." (Two complete ideas)
* ✅ Correct: "I studied hard, so I aced the test." (Cause & Effect - two complete ideas)
* ❌ Incorrect: "The game was intense and the crowd went wild." (Missing comma!)
Team 2: Subordinating Conjunctions - The Boss & Helper
These conjunctions are different. They introduce a subordinate clause (also called a dependent clause). This clause depends on the main clause to make complete sense – it can't stand alone as a sentence. The subordinating conjunction shows the relationship between the main idea and the dependent idea (like time, cause/effect, contrast, condition).
Common Subordinating Conjunctions: because, although, while, since, if, when, after, before, until, unless, even though, as, whenever, whereas, wherever...
Why "Boss & Helper"? The main clause is the boss – it's the core idea. The subordinate clause (introduced by the subordinating conjunction) is the helper – it adds extra information about the boss.
1. Showing Cause/Reason:
* "I stayed home because I felt sick." (Main Clause: I stayed home; Sub Clause: because I felt sick - Why?)
* Without "because," "I felt sick" could stand alone. WITH "because," it needs the main clause.
2. Showing Contrast/Opposition:
* "Although it was raining, we went for a walk." (Main Clause: we went for a walk; Sub Clause: Although it was raining - Surprise! Despite the rain!)
* "I love dogs, where as my best friend prefers cats."
3. Showing Time:
* "While I was doing my homework, my phone kept buzzing." (Main Clause: my phone kept buzzing; Sub Clause: While I was doing my homework - When?)
* "We can't start the movie until everyone arrives."
The Comma Rule (Subordinating): It depends on where the subordinate clause is!
Subordinate Clause FIRST? Use a comma AFTER it.
* ✅ "Because it was late, we went home."
* ✅ "While I enjoy sci-fi, my brother loves mysteries."
Subordinate Clause SECOND? Usually NO comma.
* ✅ "We went home because it was late."
* ✅ "My brother loves mysteries while I enjoy sci-fi."
Why Should You Care? Superpowers Unlocked!
Using both types of conjunctions well gives you serious writing power:
1. Avoid the Robot Effect: Instead of short, choppy sentences ("I like soccer. I like basketball. I don't like tennis."), you get smooth flow: "I like soccer and basketball, but I don't like tennis."
2. Show Complex Relationships: Explain why things happen ("I missed the bus because my alarm didn't go off"), when ("After I finish chores, I can play games"), or despite what ("Although the hike was tough, the view was amazing").
3. Sound More Mature: Using conjunctions effectively makes your writing sound more sophisticated and clear, whether it's for an essay, a story, or even a persuasive argument.
Pro Tip: If you start a sentence with a subordinating conjunction (Because..., Although..., While...), make sure you finish the thought! Don't leave a fragment.
* ❌ Fragment: "Because I was tired." (Why? What happened?)
* ✅ Complete Sentence: "Because I was tired, I went to bed early."
Your Mission:
Start noticing conjunctions EVERYWHERE – in books, articles, song lyrics, even conversations! Try combining short sentences in your own writing using FANBOYS or subordinating conjunctions. Experiment! See how changing the conjunction ("but" vs. "although", "and" vs. "so") changes the meaning or feeling of the sentence.
