Union a in English. Functions of conjunctions in a sentence

Conjunctions are words that we use to connect two or more sentences, or two words (members of sentences) together in one specific sentence.

The union itself is not a member of the proposal. The most common unions in English are the following: and (and, a), or (or, or), but (but, but, however, but), nor (neither), for (for).

Examples:

She eats at canteen and works in the trade pavilion (She eats in the canteen and works in the trade pavilion). In this example, the union "and" (and) connects the sentence "she eats at canteen" (she eats in the canteen) with the sentence "works in the trade pavilion" (works in the trade pavilion).

In English, depending on the function in the sentence, two basic types of conjunctions are distinguished:

writing;

Subordinate.

Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect two sentences that play an equally important role in our statement and describe actions that have an equal degree of significance. In other words, coordinating conjunctions connect two simple sentences into a complex one, thereby forming a compound sentence.
Table of coordinating conjunctions in English:

Example:

We went to the beach but the sea was cold (We went to the beach, but the sea was cold).

In the example above, we used the coordinative conjunction "but" (but) to connect two different sentences "We went to the beach" (we went to the beach) and "the sea was cold>" (the sea was cold).

Subordinating conjunctions

Conjunctions in English, represented by subordinating conjunctions, are used to connect two sentences when one of them depends on the other. In other words, this type of union is used in the formation of complex sentences, where one of the sentences is the main one, and the other is dependent (subordinate). Most conjunctions in English are subordinating conjunctions.
Table of the most common subordinating conjunctions in English:

It is worth noting that subordinate or dependent clauses "depend" on the main or independent clause. They cannot exist separately, because in this case they will lose their meaning.

For example, the sentence " Although I work hard I'm still sick(Even though I work hard, I'm still sick). Separately taken subordinate clause " Although I work hard” (despite the fact that I work hard) does not make any sense. But the main (independent) clause can be used by itself: “ I'm still sick(I'm still sick).

Example:

This is the film that I told you about yesterday (This is the film that I told you about yesterday)

In this example, the subordinating conjunction "that" (which) is introductory in the subordinate clause "I told you about yesterday" (I told you yesterday), which depends on the first, main clause "This is the film" (this is a film).

Location of unions in a sentence

Coordinating conjunctions are usually located between the members of a sentence or the two separate sentences they connect.

Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of a subordinate clause.

As in Russian, in English conjunctions connect parts of large sentences and parts of speech in the sentences themselves. In English, conjunctions are completely autonomous. They do not depend on the grammatical characteristics of neighboring words and do not obey the rules of grammar. The functions of conjunctions in English do not differ from those in Russian.

Form of unions

There are the following forms of conjunctions in English. Firstly, these are simple unions that consist of one word. Second, derivatives. As the name implies, they are formed as a result of the transformation of other parts of speech. Thirdly, complex conjunctions are distinguished, consisting of two words or having a -ever part. Finally, we come to compound unions. They combine concretizers and service parts of speech, nevertheless serving to connect words in a sentence. Let's take a closer look at each form.

Simple unions: and, if, but etc.:

I'd like soup, mashed potatoes and tea - I'll have soup, mashed potatoes and tea.

I walked through the wood and saw no people - I walked through the forest without meeting people

If only you were here with me! "If only you were here with me!"

I’ll read this text in public if you promise me to save her - I will read this text in public if you promise to save her

I love her but I can’t do such a thing - I love her, but I can’t do such an act

He realized what they wanted but could do nothing to stop them - He understood what their goal was, but could do nothing.

Derivative unions: unless, because, etc.

We will jump unless you agree to help - We will jump if you do not agree to help us

I say i'll do it unless you agree to do it yourself - I tell you that I will do it, unless you agree to do it yourself

I hated her because of my own reasons - I hated her for my personal reasons

You know I do all this because I promised your mother to help you - You know that I do all this because I promised your mother to help you

Complex alliances: however, whenever, whatever, wherever

However nobody knows him better than me - In addition, no one knows him better than me

She was, however, one of the most absent-minded persons I ever met - She was, among other things, the most absent-minded person I have ever met

You can call me whenever you need to, you know it - You can call me whenever you need

I will be with you whenever you ask - I will be with you whenever you ask

Whatever you see, won't shout - Whatever you see, don't yell

I'll try to find any good for you whatever you need - I'll try to find any product that you might need

They will find us wherever we go and it is the problem - They will find us wherever we go. And that's the problem

Wherever I live I will always remember our little sweet family traditions - Wherever I live. I will always remember our little sweet family traditions

Unions: what are they

There are the following types of unions in English: coordinating, subordinating and correlative or coordinating. Coordinating conjunctions are most often small and there are 7 of them in English. To make them easier to remember, they came up with the abbreviation “fanboys” - respectively for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Subordinating conjunctions are essentially adverbs that are used in the function of conjunctions in a sentence. There are many more of them than subordinate ones. Let's look at them in the following table:

Concession	While	I will cook while you are sleeping - I will cook while you sleep I tried to help though they didn't want to talk with me - I tried to help. Even though they didn't want to talk to me I liked her although she didn’t talk to me much - I liked her, although she didn’t talk to me very much
Condition	In case	In case they come we'll be ready - In case they come, we will be ready I'll call her if you want - If you want, I'll call her He will go only if she goes with us too - He will only go if she also goes with us
Comparison	Than	You are better than me - You are better than me I want to save her as much as you do - I want to save her as much as you do
Time	Untill	We will wait until you come - We will wait until you come I am going to leave as soon as possible - I'm going to leave as soon as possible I had done the work before you called me - I did the work before you called me
reason	Because	I did it because she had told me - I did it because she told me The work is done so that you can go home - the work is done, so you can go home
Manner	how	I asked how was she - I asked how she was He looked at me as if I did something wrong - He looked at me as if I had done something bad
place	Where	I promised to return to the place where we had met first - I promised to return to where we first met Whenever he goes his wife always goes with him - Wherever he goes, his wife always goes with him
Relative adjective	What	I always wanted to know what they were talking about that night - I always wanted to know what they were talking about that night Whatever I do you always cries at me - Whatever I do, you always yell at me He was the man which saved their lives - He was the same man who saved their lives
relative pronoun	whom	Whom do you want to give the prize? Who do you want to give the prize to? I ask the people whose cap it is - I asked these people whose cap it is Whoever goes, not to talk to him - Whoever goes, don't talk to him

Pair or correlative unions

They are used in pairs, linking parts of large sentences. If the number of connected objects is different, then the one that is closer to the verb will be decisive. The most common of them:

as ... as: I am as good at math as my elder sister - I also know mathematics well, like my older sister

either…or: They liked either our city or our culture in general– They liked both our city and our culture in general

neither ... nor: We support neither your idea nor his - we do not support either your idea or his

not only… but also: I want not only help but also show what we really are - I want not only to help, but also to show what we really are

Hello everyone! In today's article, you will learn: what a conjunction is, how to use it, and what place it occupies in a sentence. Also, consider what classification of unions exists. Let's study allied words and find out which unions are the most popular in English.

Everyone knows the words and», « or», « but», « when», « if», « because- they are all unions. Although they are small, they have a large role in the language - they connect individual words and phrases into sentences, making our speech understandable and logical. So, let's talk about conjunctions! C "mon!

Union in English (conjunction)- service part of speech, which connects two words, separate, independent sentences or parts of a complex sentence. Unions do not change their form, they do not act as any member of the proposal in the proposal and are not used on their own.

She like swimming and yoga. - She loves swimming and yoga.
He read the instructions but he didn't carry them out. - He read the instructions but(he) did not fulfill them.

Classification of English unions

Unions of the English language according to their education can be divided into simple,derivatives,complex and composite.

Simple unions(simple conjunctions) consist of a single root without suffixes or prefixes:

and- and;
as- because;
or- or;
then- after;
but- but;
if- if;
till- bye;
how- how;
so- so.

Derivative unions(derivative conjunctions) come from other parts of speech and have a suffix or prefix in their composition:

be cause - because;
un less - if not;
un til - not yet.

Complex alliances(compound conjunctions) are formed from other unions, using suffixes, prefixes or part "- ever" (ever, always):

al though - although;
how ever- nevertheless, however;
when ever- whenever.

Compound unions(composite conjunctions) consist of two or more words, auxiliary and independent parts of speech. They also include pair unions:

as if- as if;
in case- if;
as well as- as well as;
not only ... but also- not only but;
whether ...or- or or;
neither ... nor- no no.

Functions of conjunctions in a sentence

Conjunctions of the English language are divided into 3 main groups according to their meaning: coordinating, subordinating and paired unions.

Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions combine words, phrases, homogeneous members of a sentence or independent sentences of the same meaning into one compound sentence.

Unions include: and- and", " but- but", " or- or", " as well as- as well as", " moreover- Furthermore", " not only … but- not only ... but "and others.

All coordinating conjunctions can be divided into 4 groups:

Connecting.
Opposite.
Dividing.
Cause and effect.

Let's look at each of these groups one by one.

Connecting unions connect two words or two simple sentences.

Examples of such unions: and- and", " both … and- both ... and "," as well as- as well as", " not only … but also- not only but".

She is smart and beautiful. - She's smart and beautiful.
He likes sports as well as music. - He likes sports as well as music.
She can both speak and write English. - She can how talk, so write in English.
He neither wrote nor phoned. - He neither called, neither wrote.
She is not only pretty, but also kind. - She is Not only cute, but also kind.

Opposing alliances express opposition of one part of a sentence to another.

Examples of such unions: but- but", " still- yet", " yet- but", " whereas- while", " while- whereas", " still- nevertheless”, etc.

I will go and you stay here. - I will go, a you stay here.
He is short but strong. - He is not tall, but strong.
He says that he saw nothing, however, I don't believe. - He says what he saw nothing, however, I do not believe.
Nevertheless, I want to go there. - Nonetheless I want to go there.
A story that is strange yet true. - A story that is strange, but truthful.

Divisive unions are used to provide two options for something, sometimes as a choice between something.

Examples of such unions: or- or", " either … or- or or", " neither … nor- no no", " otherwise- otherwise", " or else- otherwise (otherwise).

Would you like meat or fish? - Do you want meat or fish?
You either go with me or with him. - You go either with me or with him.
I'd like you to come or else I "ll feel lonely. - I want you to come, otherwise I will feel lonely.
You must pay the fine otherwise you will be punished. - You must pay a fine, otherwise you will be punished.

Causal unions indicate the reason for certain actions.

Examples of such unions: for (since) - because", " so- to".

I cannot tell whether she is old or young for I have never seen her. - I can't tell if she's old or young, since I've never seen her.
Hand me that screwdriver so I could fix this.- Pass me that screwdriver so I can fix this.

Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect a subordinate clause with the main one, on which it depends in meaning, forming a complex sentence.

These include:

« after- after", " as- because", " before- before as", " if- if", " since- since / since", " that- what/to", " till- until / until", " unless- until / if not", " whether- whether", " where- where", " although- although / in spite of the fact that", " because- because", " how- how", " once- as soon as (often not translated)", " than- than / rather than / unless”, “ though- although / in spite of", " until- until", " whenever- whenever/whenever", " while- while", " when- when".

Important! The subordinating conjunction is always placed at the beginning of the subordinate clause. It is not preceded by a comma.

English subordinating conjunctions by value are divided into several subgroups:

Explanatory conjunctions introduce a subordinate clause that provides more detailed information about the main clause.

Examples of such unions: that- what", " if- whether", " when- when", " whether- whether", " why- why", " how- how".

Mendeleev predicted that vacant places in his table would be filled in. - Mendeleev predicted what empty places in his table will be filled.
not suggested that we should decrease the intensity of the current. - He offered, to we reduced the voltage.
I don't care if he comes or not. - I don't care if it comes. whether he or not.

Temporary alliances enter time information.

Examples of such unions: before- before", " since- since (any time)", " till- before (any time)", " after- after", etc.

I returned home after he had gone. - I am back after after he left.
I have not seen him since we moved into the city. - I didn't see him. since how we moved to the city.
The tourists did not make camp till (until) it grew dark. - Tourists did not set up camps, bye it didn't get dark.
He knew that the patrols might catch tracks before they were covered with snow. - He knew that the patrol could find his tracks, before how they will be covered with snow.

Causal unions enter information about the cause or cause of something.

Examples of such unions: as- because", " because- because", " since- because", etc.

He may enter as he is a friend. - He can enter because he is a friend.
As he was not there, I left a message with his brother. “Since he wasn't there, I relayed the message through his brother.
A copper wire became red-hot because an electric current was passed through it. - The copper wire became red-hot because an electric current was passed through it.

Target unions input information regarding a target for something.

Examples of such unions: that- to", " lest- (with the intention) not to", " in order that- in order to", etc.

We eat so that we could live. - We eat to we could live.
He held my hand lest I should fall. - He held my hand to I didn't fall.
In order that an inflammable gas may burn in air it must first be raised to the ignition temperature. - To combustible gas burned in the air, its temperature must be raised to the flash point.

Corollary unions enter information about the consequences of something.

Example: " so … that- so".

He was so weak that he could hardly stand. - He was So weak what could hardly stand.
She ate so much that she fell ill. - She is So ate a lot what got sick.

Conditional unions enter information about the condition of something.

Examples of such unions: if- if", " unless- if not", " provided (that) - provided that".

I will go abroad if I get a good job. - I'm going abroad if I'll get a good job.
They won't help you unless you tell them the truth. - They won't help you. if you won't tell them the truth.
The volume of gas is proportional to its absolute temperature provided its pressure remains constant. - The volume of a gas is proportional to its absolute temperature, provided that pressure remains constant.

Concession alliances enter information regarding the recognition, confirmation of something.

Examples: " though/ although- although, in spite of the fact that.

He works hard though he is weak. - He works a lot, although he is weak.
She is always neatly dressed although she is poor. - She is always neatly dressed, despite, what she is poor.

Conjunctions of Comparison enter information about what is being compared.

Example: " than- how".

He is cleverer than I am. - He's smarter than me.
I like her better than him. - I like her more than him.

allied words

Both in English and in Russian, the subordinate and main clauses can be connected not only by conjunctions, but also by allied words - relative pronouns.

These include: " who- who, which", " what- what", " whose- whose / whose / whose”, “ when- when", " which- (one) which (about things or animals)", " that- who, who", " where- where", " how- how", " why- why".

Unlike English unions, allied words not only connect parts of a complex sentence, but also are members adnexal suggestions:

I know the architect who has built this opera house. - I know an architect which the built this opera house (the allied word "who" is the subject here).
We were not even explained what to do. We weren't even told what to do (the allied word "what" here is an addition).
I am sure Lisa will help you when she comes. - I'm sure Lisa will help you, when she will come (the conjunction word "when" here is the adverb of time).

Table of popular alliances

Table: Popular conjunctions in English with translation

Union	Translation	Union	Translation

	how, since, when, as	as…. as	as well as
as far as	how much	as long as	until….
as soon as	once	as well as	(also) and
	because	because of
both…. and	how…. so		but apart from
either… or	or…. or		however, no matter how
			if
in order	to	moreover	Furthermore
neither ... nor		still	Nonetheless
no matter where	wherever	no matter how	howsoever
no matter when	whenever	no matter who	whoever
no matter what	whatever	no matter why	why not...
	also not...	now that	now that
		on the contrary	vice versa
on the other hand	on the other hand
otherwise		so… that
so… as	so that	not so as	not like
	yet, still
	what what	that is why	that's why
therefore		although
	thus		if not

	while


	not like
			within
according to…	according to something	owing to	thanks to someone
in spite of…	in spite of…	in terms of…	in terms of, in terms of
on behalf of…		meanwhile	Meanwhile
from now on…		from time to time	occasionally
	outside, above		whereas, because
at least	at least		eventually
as if, as though	ostensibly	condition	provided that

Conclusion

Often English conjunctions have the same forms with adverbs and prepositions. In order to distinguish between them, you need to know what function each of these parts of speech performs in a sentence.

Conjunctions are never members of a sentence like adverbs. Also, they do not refer to any specific word, like prepositions, but only connect words, phrases and sentences with each other.

And unions are often placed at the beginning of a sentence or between two simple sentences in one complex one.

And that "s pretty much it! Speak English fluently and coherently;)

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

English service parts of speech, by which words, phrases and sentences are interconnected, are called conjunctions. They have their own meaning, and they are usually memorized, like all other words. The union (in English - conjunction) in English does not have its own syntactic function, it is not a member of the sentence. However, there are several classifications of English conjunctions, and their importance in speech should not be underestimated.

Types of unions in English

Structure classification:

Separate simple words

An example of such simple unions can be unions and (and), if (if), but (but).

A swan and a duck - Swan and duck

Sad but energetic - Sad but energetic

Forget it, if you can - Forget it if you can

Phrases

As an example, let's take English unions - as soon as (as soon as), as though (as if), in order (to).

Gven looked as though she was frightened to death. Gwen looked like she was scared to death.

Relative Pairs

For example - both ... and (and (as) then .. and (and) then), not only ... but also (not only ... but also)

It "s not only disgusting but also dangerous - This is not only disgusting, but also dangerous.

Classification by lexical meaning:

Coordinating (connecting) unions

Such conjunctions in English serve to connect phrases, words and sentences that are independent of each other. Connecting are, for example, simple unions while (while), or (or); paired unions neither ... nor (neither ... nor), either ... or (or ... or).

Lima was making up while Rebecca was polishing her nails. Lima was putting on makeup while Rebecca was polishing her nails.

Unfortunately they had neither food nor money. “Unfortunately, they had neither food nor money.

Subordinating conjunctions

Both Russian and English form of such unions is used to clarify the subordinating nature of subordinate clauses. Since there are various types of subordinate clauses, subordinating conjunctions in English are also divided into semantic groups.

Subordinating conjunctions in English, the table with the translation of which is given below, for clarity, are divided into such groups with examples of their use.

Unions of time (time)	After (how) Before (before), before Until) Bye; during how	Kiss Mum for me when you arrive. Kiss your mother for me when you arrive.
Causal conjunctions (reason/cause)	because Because the So, so	Vera is very angry, so you "d better don't disturb her now. Vera is very angry, so you better not disturb her now.
Conjunctions conditions (condition)	If only	If Hanna doesn't recover, I'll have to stay at home with her. If Hannah doesn't get better, I'll have to stay at home with her.
Conjunctions of comparison (comparison)	As well as	This time our holiday was much more boring than last year. This time our vacation was much more boring than last year.
Unions of opposition (opposition)	In spite of	Belinda is absolutely muddle-headed though quite charming. Belinda is completely clueless, although quite charming.

A similar table of conjunctions of different groups can help in the study of some grammatical topics of the English language.

The role of English conjunctions in grammar.

English conjunctions can serve as a clue for beginners in determining the correct tense in a sentence. They are a kind of "markers" that show exactly what time to use in a similar situation.

For example:

continuous / simple

When learning English, a lot of time is devoted to a visual comparison of different groups of tenses. Indeed, in Russian there is no concept of the categories of simplicity / duration of an action if this action takes place at the same time. The difference between the times of the Simple / Continuous groups is best seen in compound sentences with the union when.

Lima was baking a pie when Tom dropped a flowerpot. - Lima was baking a cake when Top dropped the flower pot.

In sentences of this type, the union when plays the role of a marker, showing that a long time was interrupted by a one-time one. Therefore, in one part of the sentence, Simple is needed, in the second - Continuous.

Continuous

The union while (while) is associated with the group of Continuous times. Often in complex sentences with a predicate in one of the forms of long tenses, this union is used. It usually shows the simultaneity of long actions.

Lima was baking a pie while Tom was mopping the floor in the hall. Lima was baking a cake while Tom was washing the floor in the hallway.

Simple/Future

Another case of the influence of conjunctions on the choice of tense in English is the relative clauses of time and conditions in the future tense. In such sentences, after conjunctions of time and condition (if, when, till, after, etc.), Present Simple is used instead of Future Simple.

If Lima bakes a pie today, Tom will mop the floor in the hall. - If Lima bakes a cake today, Tom will wash the floor in the hallway.

After Tom mops the floor in the hall, he will help Lima in the kitchen. - After Tom cleans the floor in the hallway, he will help Lima in the kitchen.

Oddly enough, English learners have a lot of trouble using the smallest words in a sentence: conjunctions and prepositions.

A union is a word that connects either the same members of a sentence, or two independent ones.

For example:

He bought flowers and candies. She wanted to come but I could not. They are or write, or call.

In English, as well as in Russian, there are a lot of unions. In this article I will tell you about one large group - writing conjunctions.

From the article you will learn:

What are coordinating conjunctions in English?

Coordinating conjunctions- these are the unions that connect equal parts of the sentence. That is, each part of the sentence is independent, and does not depend on the other.

Let's look at two examples.

Example 1: Two parts of a sentence are independent

Night came and it started to snow.

As you can see, the two parts of this sentence are independent in meaning. That is, we can easily split them into two sentences:

The night has come. It is snowing.

Example 2: One part of a sentence depends on another

We stayed at home because it started to snow.

As you can see, the first part in meaning depends on the second: if it were not for the snow, we would not have stayed at home.

It was in the first example that the coordinating union "and" was used.

All coordinating conjunctions can be divided for 4 groups:

1. Connecting unions
2. Opposing alliances
3. Dividing alliances
4. Causal unions

Let's look at each of these groups one by one.

Use of connecting conjunctions in English

Connecting unions connect two words or two simple sentences.

Let's see how they are used.

Union	Translation	Usage	Example
And	And	Used to connect words related to each other. That is, when listing.	She is smart and beautiful. She is smart and beautiful.
As well (as)	Also, also (like)	We use it when we talk about adding to something or someone.	He likes sports as well as music. He likes sports as well as music.
Both…and	And...and, like...and	Used to emphasize that something is true not only for one person/thing/situation, but also for another.	She can both speak and write English. She can both speak and write English.
Neither…nor	No no	Used when mentioning two things that are wrong or impossible.	He neither wrote nor phoned. He didn't call or write.
Not only…but also	Not only but	Used to say about adding to something.	She is not only pretty, but also kind. She is not only pretty, but also kind.
Nor	Also not, also not	Used after a negation to introduce another negation containing similar information.	It wasn't my fault nor his. It was neither my fault nor his.

Use of adversative conjunctions in English

Opposing alliances express opposition of one part of a sentence to another.

Here is a table of the use of the main such unions.

Union	Translation	Usage	Example
And	BUT	Used when talking about opposing something or someone.	I will go and* you stay here.* I'll go and you stay here.
But	But	Used when linking two words or parts of a sentence that seem opposite or very different in meaning.	He is short but strong. He is short but strong.
However	However, nevertheless	Used when you add a fact or piece of information that seems surprising, or seems very different from what you just said.	He says that he saw nothing however, I don't believe. He says he didn't see anything, however, I don't believe it.
Nevertheless	Nonetheless	We are talking about something, despite what you just mentioned.	Nevertheless, I want to go there. However, I want to go there.
Whereas	Then how, a	Used to say that although something is true about one thing, it is not true about another.	She loves classical music whereas I prefer jazz. She loves classical music while I prefer jazz.
Yet	However, however	Used to introduce a fact or situation that is surprising after what you have just said.	A story that is strange yet true. A story that is strange but true.

Use of separating conjunctions in English

Divisive unions make a choice or proposal in a proposal.

Union	Translation	Usage	Example
Or	Or otherwise	Used between two words or phrases to show that one of the two is possible, or used before the last one in a list of possibilities or options.	Would you like meat or fish? Do you want meat or fish?
Either…or	Or or	Used to start a list of two or more possibilities.	You either go with me or with him. You go either with me or with him.
Else	Otherwise, still	Besides or in addition to someone or something.	I'd like you to come and anyone else who's free. I want you to come and anyone else who is free.

The use of causal conjunctions in English

Causal unions- indicate the reason for certain actions.

Let's take a look at their usage.

Union	Translation	Usage	Example
For	Because	Used to enter the reason for something.	I cannot tell whether she is old or young, for I have never seen her. I can't tell if she's old or young since I've never seen her.
So	That's why	Used to say that someone is doing something for a reason.	I was feeling hungry so I made myself a sandwich. I felt hungry so I made myself a sandwich.

So, we have considered unions, and now let's practice using them.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments.

1. We bought a cake and flowers.
2. He speaks English because he speaks Russian.
3. The car is beautiful, but expensive.
4. Shall we go to the cinema or to a restaurant?
5. I was tired, so I went to bed.