ON THE TYPES OF CONJUNCTION - Onyeji Nnaji
A conjunction is a part of speech that joins
words, phrases and clauses together. Beyond the function of uniting words,
phrases and clauses together, conjunctions can as well join paragraphs
together. Examples of the roles of conjunctions are seen in the sentences
below:
Uduak and Akpan are friends.
Andrew is fair in complexion while his son is dark.
Chike as well as the other boys have all left for the
river.
Grammatically, the definition is correct,
considering the sentences above. Without the help of conjunctions, the above
sentences would be realised in fragments. From this role which is invariably
unique from other parts of speech, we may define a conjunction as the
invariable grammatical particle that conjuncts lexical properties and other
materials relevant for language analysis. Conjunctions unify or create unity
among lexical properties, particularly nouns and pronouns.
(9.1) TYPES OF CONJUNCTIONS:
Conjunctions are grouped into various types
according to the manner of unity they bring about in sentences. Some
conjunctions are specifically known for their roles according to the
grammatical ranking of equality among the lexical properties they unify, while
others are by constructions charged with the duty of bringing sentences and
paragraphs together. The more recognized types of conjunctions are:
(9.1.1) Coordinating conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunctions are those conjunctions
that are used to unify words or groups of words of equal grammatical weight.
Words or group of words can be said to have equal grammatical weight when such
words or group of words can take the position of the other interchangeably
without their content messages being tainted. For instance, two proper nouns
have equal grammatical weight because each can stand in the position of the
other and exhibit the role meant for the position satisfactorily. Again, the phrases, the man on the tree and the
man on the bus can be explained to have equal grammatical ranking and
weight because each of them balances in their different positions. Example:
Equal ranking (they are both
phrases).
Equal grammatical ranking (they
are both noun phrases).
Equal grammatical weight (they
are, each, NP → NP + PP).
Their structures are equal. Coordinating
conjunctions can as well join two sentences of equal ranking. It joins two
independent clauses to produce a compound sentence. The conjunctions used in
these functions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet,
and so.
Here are some examples of coordinating
conjunctions in English language and their roles in sentences:
- Ijeoma and I are relations.
- Ijeoma likes garri but I prefer rice.
- Ekemini does not understand
English nor does she know how to solve
equations.
- Arts or sciences are optional for every student.
Coordinating conjunctions can further be
considered in three ways according to the type of coordination roles they
perform in sentences. It can be syndetic,
asyndetic and polysyndetic.
(i) Syndetic Coordinators:
Syndetic coordinators are the type that joins two
words. It also joins two items at the word level. Example:
-
Slow and steady he won the race.
-
Strong willed and committed he came
out the best graduating student.
-
Quickly and resolutely he strolled into
the bank.
(ii) Asyndetic Coordinators:
This can be regarded as a non-coordinator. An asyndentic
coordination does not involve the coordinates directly; instead it permits the
suspension or exclusion of the coordinate through the use of punctuation at the
end of the first coordinating item. A comma is used to indicate that there is a
suspended coordinate at the end of the coordinated units. Example:
-
Slowly, steady he won the contest.
-
Quickly, resolutely he strolled into the meeting hall.
(iii) Polysyndetic Coordinator:
Two conditions differentiate this from the
syndetic and asyndetic respectively. It involves the combination of the
features involved in the former coordinates and exercises influence over them
in the number of coordinating units it involves itself. Put in another way,
polysyndetic coordination is simply the combination of syndetic and asyndetic
coordination. Example:
- I need bread and cheese and
eggs and milk.
- I prefer bread and butter,
sardine, milk and fried eggs.
The fourth line of Nigerian national anthem
expresses the evidence of polysyndetic coordination. It is sung thus:
-
With love and strength and faith…
(9.1.2) Quasi-Coordinators:
Quasi-coordinators
are those coordinators derived from complex prepositions which can be used as coordinating
conjunctions. These include as well as,
as much as, along with, more than etc.
-
She cuts as well as sews her dresses.
-
The man along with his wife was in
the car.
-
Judith, more than anyone else lent
her hands to the success of the job.
(9.1.3) Subordinating
Conjunctions,
Subordinating
conjunctions join independent clauses and dependent clauses. The most common
subordinating conjunctions in the English language include:
After, although, as,
as far as, as if, as long as, as soon as, as
though, because, before, if, in order that, since,
so, so that, than, though, unless, until,
when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever,
and while.
-
John was waiting for the bus so he
could travel to Lagos.
-
The door was open only because the
man was around.
Complementizers can be considered to be special
subordinating conjunctions that introduce complement clauses: e.g.
-
I wonder whether he'll be late.
-
I hope that he'll be here on time.
Some subordinating conjunctions (such as until
and while), when used to introduce a phrase instead of a full clause,
become prepositions with identical meanings. In many verb-final languages,
subordinate clauses must precede the main clause on which they depend. The
equivalents to the subordinating conjunctions of non-verb-final languages such
as English are either, neither etc.
(9.1.4) Correlative Conjunctions:
Correlative conjunctions are simply the
conjunctions that concur in sentences. They are marked by their usual
occurrence in pairs to join words and group of words of equal weight in a
sentence. There are over six different pairs of correlative conjunctions: either...or, not only...but also,
neither...nor, both...and,
whether...or, just as...so, no sooner…than, though…yet, prefer…to etc.
Examples:
-
The rebels desired no reconciliation but freedom.
-
His needs were not simple but complex.
-
My request is not mackerel but sardines.
- You either
do your work or prepare to leave with nothing.
- Both
the cross country team and the swimming team are doing
well.
- Whether you
stay or you go, it's your decision.
Conditions for
Correlations:
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