School House Rock: Conjunctions

Let's jazz it up at Conjunction Junction. If this tune doesn't stick in your head for the rest of the day . . .



Conjunction junction what's your function? Conjunctions are: and (additive, this AND that), but (the opposite of and, not this BUT that), and or (when you have a choice, like this OR that). Conjunctions hook up words, phrases and clauses to make them work right.

Pretty easy, right? Let's look at subordinate conjunctions and coordinate conjunctions.

Here's some tips from the OWL at D'Youville College in New York:
>Subordinate Conjunctions
A subordinate conjunction is a word or phrase that begins a dependent clause. Examples of subordinate conjunctions are the following: since, because, when, if, after, although, until, etc.

Example #1
I don't function as well as I normally do when I get tired.
Explanation: The subordinate conjunction is "when," and it begins the dependent clause "when I get tired."

Example #2
We can't buy groceries since he left his money at home.
Explanation: The subordinate conjunction is "since," and it begins the dependent clause "since he left his money at home."

>Coordinate Conjunctions
A coordinate conjunction is a word or phrase that connects two clauses. There are only 7 coordinate conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, so, for, yet.

Example #1
They went to the theater, and we went with them.
Explanation: The coordinate conjunction is "and," and it connects the two independent clauses.

Example #2
They wanted to go boating in the lake, but the weather was uncooperative.
Explanation: The coordinate conjunction is "but," and it connects the two independent clauses.
Ready to take conjunctions out for a spin? Click here for a Coordinate Conjunction test, and here for a Subordinate Conjunction test.

Comments

  1. Jonathan TJanuary 25, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    Watching these when I was a kid was very educational and entertaining, even though I probably did not know what they meant back then. This one and "I'm Just a Bill" were the only ones that I remember that were interesting. The test that was given helped me understand more of what the specifics of a subordinate conjunction and coordinate conjunction. I wish they were still showing or at least make new of these types of short clips, so that the kids now, would be or hopefully educated.

    ReplyDelete

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