Conjunctions

A conjunction connects parts of a sentence, or joins individual words and word groups. Conjunctions show the relationship between words or groups of words in a sentence.

Coordinating Conjunctions

The Magnificent Seven Coordinating Conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, yet, and so. When preceded by a comma, these seven words can be used to join sentences.

On either side of the "comma-and" and "comma-but" in the examples to the right is a complete sentence—a group of words that can stand alone grammatically.

Coordinating conjunctions join sentences or parts of sentences that express equally important ideas, or that have similar grammatical structure or function.

	Trust throughout the chain of command is essential to combat effectiveness, and it is the role of the regimental leadership to strengthen trust.
	Armies train people to kill, but they also teach restraint and discipline.

These word pairs are a helpful device to use when you are exploring two options or when emphasizing the connection between two items or ideas.

Paired Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions help to emphasize the connection between the parts of the sentence they are joining. These word pairs are a helpful device to use when you are exploring two options or when emphasizing the connection between two items or ideas.

These word pairs are a helpful device to use when you are exploring two options or when emphasizing the connection between two items or ideas.

	In the early 1990s, Canada successfully formulated both a DND space policy and an organization with which to implement it.
	The speed of his transfer, without a complete investigation, appears to have been neither completely wise nor completely fair.

These words are used when a writer wants to indicate that one idea is less important (subordinate) to another idea that it is joined with in sentence. Subordinate conjunctions join independent clauses (complete sentences), making the clause that follows the conjunction dependent (not a complete sentence).

Words used to indicate subordination are best positioned at the beginning of a sentence, thus giving emphasis to the point that ends the sentence. When not employed to join independent clauses, these words are simply called subordinators. Subordinators are frequently used when stating a case or when making an argument (Although . . .; Provided that . . .; As long as . . .; Because . .). These words prove helpful when formulating a thesis statement. Here is a partial list of widely used subordinators:

After - Although - As if - As long as - As soon as - Assuming that - Because - Before - Even though - If - In case - In order that -Insofar as - Once - Provided that - Since - So that - That - Though - Unless - Until - When - Whenever - Where - Wherever - While

These words are used when a writer wants to indicate that one idea is less important (subordinate) to another idea that it is joined with in a sentence. Subordinate conjunctions join independent clauses (complete sentences), making the clause that follows the conjunction dependent (not a complete sentence).

In the first example, the clause "As long as the public feels comfortable with its contributions" is dependent; it must be read in combination with the first part of the sentence (the independent clause) in order to make sense.

	As long as the public feels comfortable with its contributions, the national defence budget must by definition be sufficient.
	Because what they do is seen to be necessary, well thought out, and legitimate, national security and defence will receive their necessary resources.