Parts of Speech: Conjunctions and Interjections Composition 9 Parts of Speech: Conjunctions and Interjections

Different Kinds of Conjunctions Follow along on Text pages 408-410. Conjunctions make connections between words or groups of words. Coordinating conjunctions join words or groups of words that are similar to one another. Examples: and, or , nor, for, so, yet, but Correlative conjunctions also serve to join together similar items, but are always used in pairs. Examples: neither…nor; either…or; not only…but also; both…and; whether…or Subordinating conjunctions join together two ideas or clauses so that one does not make grammatical sense without the other. The conjunction subordinates one idea to the other. Examples: Unless, once, while, etc. Example: Unless you show me the way, I will not arrive. Unless is the subordinating conjunction, as it makes the first part of the sentence dependent on the second for meaning. “Unless you show me the way” cannot stand alone as a sentence. It is an incomplete thought and needs the other clause to make it work. There is a list of subordinating conjunctions on page 409. Some words, such as after and before, can be used as either prepositions or subordinating conjunctions. As prepositions, they simply begin prepositional phrases. As subordinating conjunctions, they connect complete ideas. Example: Before I left, he yelled at me. Example: Before her stood a statue. We will work together on Exercise 11.

Conjunctive Adverbs Follow along on Text page 411. Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that form connections between complete ideas. They are also known as transition words. Examples: Furthermore, moreover, then, therefore These count as adverbs, NOT as conjunctions. There is a list of these kinds of words on Text page 411. We will work together on Exercise 12.

Interjections Follow along on Textbook page 412. An interjection is a word inserted (or interjected) into a sentence in order to express emotion. It has no grammatical relationship to any other part of the sentence. Examples: Wow, uh-huh, alas, etc. Example: Uh-huh, that’s right. Please do not use interjections in formal writing. They are useful primarily for storytelling, not for composing essays. We will complete Exercise 13 together.

Standardized Test Connection Work Follow along on Text pages 416-417. Standardized tests will often ask that you edit sentences in the most logical way possible by utilizing prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections in order to combine words and groups of words in sensible ways. Remember not to change the meaning of the passage. Choose combinations that clarify meaning but do not change meaning. We will work together on Practice 1 and Practice 2.

Neither conjunctions nor interjections will bother me again. The parts of speech have been conquered. Quiz soon.