There are 9 parts of speech or word classes in English language:
– nouns
– pronouns
– determiners
– verbs
– prepositions
– adjectives
– adverbs
– conjunctions
– interjections

We use conjunctions to connect words, phrases or clauses.

Jack and Jill went to the cinema last night.
– and = conjunction
– The conjunction ‘and’ connects 2 words (Jack and Jill)

I met my teacher and her husband yesterday.
– and = conjunction
– phrase = a combination of 2 words or more
– The conjunction ‘and’ connects 2 phrases (my teacher and her husband)

He knocked on the door and we went in.
– and = conjunction
– clause = a group of words that consists of at least 1 subject and 1 verb
– The conjunction ‘and’ connects 2 clauses
– 1st clause: He knocked on the door (subject= he, verb = knocked)
– 2nd clause: We went in (subject= we, verb = went in)

Independent Clauses

There are 2 types of clauses:
– Independent clauses
– Dependent clauses

Independent clause is a clause that can stand on its on (can be understood on its own).

He knocked on the door and we went in.
– ‘He knocked on the door’ = independent clause
If it is not combined with ‘we went in’, we can still understand the clause.
– ‘We went in’ = independent clause
If it is not combined with ‘he knocked on the door’, we can still understand the clause.

It’s an old car, but it’s very reliable.
– ‘It’s an old car’ = independent clause
If it is not combined with ‘it’s very reliable’, we can still understand the clause.
– ‘It’s very reliable’ = independent clause
If it is not combined with ‘it’s an old car’, we can still understand the clause.

We use subordinating conjunctions to connect a dependent clause and an independent clause.

He was angry because he missed the bus.
– ‘He was angry’ = independent clause
– ‘he missed the bus’ = dependent clause
– because = subordinate conjunction

Dependent clauses usually give additional information to independent clauses.

He was angry because he missed the bus.
– Dependent clause ‘he missed the bus’ explains the reason for the independent clause ‘he was angry.’

There are several types of subordinating conjunctions:
– Conjunctions of Cause and Effect
– Conjunctions of Purpose
– Conjunctions of Time
– Conjunctions of Place
– Conjunctions of Condition
– Conjunctions of Contrast

We use conjunctions of cause and effect to:
– explain why something happens, or
– explain the result of an event.

Conjunctions of cause and effect connect the cause and the result of something.

He was angry because he missed the bus.
– ‘He was angry’ = independent clause (the result)
– ‘he missed the bus’ = dependent clause (the cause)
– because = conjunction of cause and effect

Since he was late, he was punished.
– ‘he was angry’ = dependent clause (the cause)
– ‘he was punished’ = independent clause (the result)
– since = conjunction of cause and effect

She may need some help as she is new.
– ‘She may need some help’ = independent clause (the result)
– ‘she is new’ = dependent clause (the cause)
– as = conjunction of cause and effect

‘Because’, ‘as’ and ‘since’ are very similar in meaning.

I was late because the traffic was bad.
I was late since the traffic was bad.
I was late as the traffic was bad.

When the independent clause comes first, we do not need a comma after the independent clause.

I was late because the traffic was bad.
I was late, because the traffic was bad. (wrong)

I was late since the traffic was bad.
I was late, since the traffic was bad. (wrong)

I was late as the traffic was bad.
I was late, as the traffic was bad. (wrong)

We can reverse the order of the clause.
When the dependent clause comes first, we put a comma after the dependent clause.

Because the traffic was bad, I was late.
Because the traffic was bad I was late. (wrong)

Since the traffic was bad, I was late.
Since the traffic was bad I was late. (wrong)

As the traffic was bad, I was late.
As the traffic was bad I was late. (wrong)

We use conjunctions of purpose to:
– explain the purpose or goal of an action.

‘So’, ‘so that’ and ‘in order that’ are very similar in meaning.

He lowered his voice so no one would hear.
– ‘He lowered his voice’ = independent clause (the action)
– ‘no one would hear’ = dependent clause (the purpose)
– so = conjunction of purpose

He lowered his voice so that no one would hear.
– ‘He lowered his voice’ = independent clause (the action)
– ‘no one would hear’ = dependent clause (the purpose)
– so that = conjunction of purpose

He lowered his voice in order that no one would hear.
– ‘He lowered his voice’ = independent clause (the action)
– ‘no one would hear’ = dependent clause (the purpose)
– in order that = conjunction of purpose

When the independent clause comes first, we do not need a comma after the independent clause.

He lowered his voice so no one would hear.
He lowered his voice, so no one would hear. (wrong)

He lowered his voice so that no one would hear.
He lowered his voice, so that no one would hear. (wrong)

He lowered his voice in order that no one would hear.
He lowered his voice, in order that no one would hear. (wrong)

We can reverse the order of the clause.
When the dependent clause comes first, we put a comma after the dependent clause.
This arrangement is more formal.

So no one would hear, he lowered his voice.
So no one would hear he lowered his voice. (wrong)

So that no one would hear, he lowered his voice.
So that no one would hear he lowered his voice. (wrong)

In order that no one would hear, he lowered his voice.
In order that no one would hear he lowered his voice. (wrong)