We explain what conjunctions are, what types exist and various examples in sentences. Also, what are prepositions.
What are conjunctions?
In grammar, is known as conjunctions to certain types of words or set of them that allows to link other words, propositions or phrases, that is, they serve as a link between the parts of a sentence or between two sentences. In that sense, they are part of the group of grammatical links.
Conjunctions are generally atonic (without accent) and invariable, that is, they are fixed pieces of language, which rarely change or adapt to context. They usually allow the union of two syntactic units in a major, such as two sentences or two elements within a sentence. Therefore, its meaning is only grammatical, valid only in the language and in its context determined.
For example, if we use the conjunction "and", the most common of all, in the prayer "I only bought potatoes and pumpkins", the meaning of the verb "buy" extends to the two elements mentioned (potatoes and pumpkins) equally.
On the other hand, when we use “and” in the sentence “I only bought potatoes and they were not very good”, the conjunction allows us to add to the initial complaint (that there were only potatoes), a secondary one (the separate fact that they were not very good) .
Types of conjunctions
Conjunctions are classified into two types:
Coordinating or proper conjunctions. Those that link words, phrases or sentences at the same syntactic level, that is, when the elements connected by them can be exchanged without losing their meaning. For example: “In the market there were watercress and onions” is the same as “In the market there were onions and watercress”.
In turn, these conjunctions can be of different types:
- Copulative. They allow two elements of the same type to be joined in a single unit, indicating accumulation or sum of items. Such as: y, e, ni, que.
- Tradeoffs. They allow joining two terms in an exclusive or optional relationship, that is, in which one of the two must be chosen. Such as: o, u.
- Adversative. They allow joining two terms in an antagonistic relationship, that is, of opposites, in which they contradict each other. Such as: but, although, more, but.
- Explanatory. They allow to join propositions or terms that point to the same thing, but that when being together provide a better explanation of what has been said, or reinforce some meaning. Such as: that is, this is, that is, rather.
- Distributive. They allow two elements to be joined in a discontinuous way, distributing their meaning throughout the same sentence. In other words, they divide the sentence sense into two different terms. Such as: pray ... pray, now ... now, get out ... get out.
Subordinate or improper conjunctions. Those that link propositions or sentences that are not interchangeable with each other, since when joined together a relationship of specific meaning is established between them: causal, conditional, explanatory, etc.
For example: "It was raining that night, so I had to go by bus" implies a cause-effect relationship that cannot be reversed. These conjunctions are classified only according to the role played by the subordinate within the main sentence, as follows:
- Subordinate substantives. They fulfill the role of a noun phrase within the sentence. Such as: what, what, how, how much.
- Subordinating adjectives. They fulfill the role of an adjectival phrase, that is, they characterize a name. Such as: who, who, who, whose.
- Adverbial subordinates. They fulfill the role of an adverbial phrase, introducing information contextual, whether of circumstance (time, place, mode or comparison) or logical relationship (cause, consequence, condition, purpose). Such as: when, where, as, according to, more than, because, although, case that, unless.
Sentences with conjunctions
Here are some examples of use in sentences of conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunctions:
- "They sent us to buy painting and detergent ”(copulative)
- "They did not give me the notes, nor the folder" (copulative)
- "Do you eat the food or do not get up from the table" (dilemma)
- "Even if you are big, you must listen to me" (adversative)
- "I want to buy oatmeal, but it is very expensive" (adversative)
- "He told me that was it, that is, I was fired" (explanatory)
- "You must take antihistamines, that is, allergy medicines" (explanatory)
- "We will love our son, come out toad or come out frog ”(distributive)
Subordinate conjunctions:
- "That you drink alcohol so early is absurd ”(noun)
- "He asked me how we were going to come" (noun)
- "My cousin came, the one I mentioned to you yesterday" (adjective)
- "I went to see the movie whose poster we saw on the street" (adjective)
- "I left home when it started to rain" (adverbial of time)
- "I went where the devil lost his shoes" (adverbial of place)
- "As you did yesterday, you must do your part" (adverbial of manner)
- "I stayed at home because I felt bad" (adverbial of cause)
- "You missed the party, so you don't know the great News”(Adverbial of consequence)
- "You must stop smoking, so you can live a healthier life" (adverbial of purpose)
- "Today we will eat out, unless you want to cook" (adverbial of condition)
Conjunctions and prepositions
We should not confuse conjunctions with prepositions, although both are words or particles that fulfill a grammatical role within the sentence, which is to put together and organize.
However, prepositions have a more or less fixed meaning, which has to do with a series of associated meanings, their own, although contextual, while conjunctions have no meaning outside the scope of the language.
For example: the conjunction "and", by itself, does not mean absolutely anything, but it allows linking terms that do have their own meaning, and then acquires a certain meaning: in "today we have to eat chicken and rice", the Y it means that the rice and the chicken are on the same level, they are part of the same set.
On the other hand, if we say "today we have to eat chicken about rice ", the preposition" over "indicates that the chicken and the rice are in a very specific position, one on top of the other.