English Language Learners' Reference Guide

E n g l i s h   L a n g u a g e   L e a r n e r s ’ Reference Guide from the Writing Center Conjunctions & Connectors Conjunctions to join two Independent Clauses adapted from Folse (299) Conjunction

and but , so*

, or Additions to , and so

, and neither too not either Additions to , but

Purpose

Example George went to Harvard and he enjoyed living in Cambridge. Connect; add extra information George went to Harvard but he would have preferred Brown. Contrast Martha went to Oxford, so she knows the British university To show a result system well. *Note  that  so  can  also  be  used  as  an  adverb  meaning  “very”   in which case no comma is ever required. When so is used to indicate the purpose of something (and not the result), no comma is required. Harry has been saving for months, so he now has thousands in the bank! (so=result) Harry has been saving for months so he can buy the airfare. (so=purpose/no comma) Harry is so tired of saving! (so=very/no comma) You could study alone in the library, or you could make an Choice appointment with a tutor. show similarity adapted from Fuchs (121-124) Formula Examples Subject+Verb, and so Verb**+Subject. Susan is happy to be in America, and so is Kim. **Second verb will be either BE, the Dr. Freud presents some interesting research, and so does Auxiliary, or a modal, depending on the Jung. tense of the verb in the first clause. Marybeth can come to the presentation, and so can Joseph. Subject+Verb+Not, and neither Journalists should not take a side in objective reporting, and neither should newscasters. Verb+Subject Subject+Verb, and Subject+Verb too.

Dr. Freud presents some interesting research, and Jung does too. Subject+Verb+not, and Subject+Verb Journalists should not take a side in objective reporting, not either. and  newscasters  shouldn’t  either. show difference adapted from Fuchs (121-124) Formula Example Note the balance between +/- in each + Many students would like an extension on the assignment, sentence. If first clause is affirmative (+), then the second clause should be but others would not. negative (-) and vice versa. + Subject+Verb, but Subject+Verb** not. + Charles  can’t  prepare the presentation in time, but Walter + can. Subject+Verb+not, but Subject+Verb**. + **Second verb will be either BE, the Harry  didn’t  do the extra assignment, but the rest of the Auxiliary, or a modal, depending on the class did. tense of the verb in the first clause.

Conjunctions & Connectors continued

Connectors that begin dependent clauses adapted from Folse (299) Connector Purpose Examples like

1. 2.

Comparison To give examples

1. 2.

while whereas although unlike

Contrast

although though even though because since

Concession

, so so that After As soon as Before When While Until Whenever , as if even if unless provided that when

So that In order to

Reason/Cause Note: Use a comma after the clause starting with Because, Since if it is the first clause. Result

Time Relationships

Similarity – In very formal usage, use as+auxiliary verb+subject Condition

Purpose

Like the Swiss banks, the German banks do much international business. Marjorie excels at all scientific subjects, like biology and chemistry.

While I prefer Swiss chocolate, Michael prefers American. I like to travel, whereas my husband would rather stay home. Although Jerry is aware of the dangers, he still enjoys parachuting from airplanes. Unlike Jerry,  Tom  doesn’t  like  parachuting. Although/Though/Even though you have made some valid points, I still think we should attend the meeting. The  gallery  doesn’t  open  until  noon  because/since the artists like to sleep late. Because/Since the artists like to sleep late, the gallery doesn’t  open  until  noon. I brought all of the necessary documents, so I am prepared to finish the application. I brought all of the necessary documents so that I am prepared to finish the application. After/As soon as/When Pat has eaten lunch, she will respond to all messages. Before she responds to all her messages, Pat will eat lunch. Until she  has  eaten  lunch,  Pat  won’t  respond  to  all  of  her   messages. Whenever Pat has time, she responds to her messages. The president prefers that we meet weekly, as do I. The council wanted to fund that project, as did I. If you complete the project on time, you can make the presentation today. Even if you complete  the  project  on  time,  you  can’t  make  the   presentation in class today. Unless you  finish  the  project  on  time,  you  won’t  be  able  to   take the final exam. Provided that you finish the project on time, you can take the final exam with the rest of the class. When you finish the project, you will feel less stressed. Mr. Johnson left early for work so that he could avoid traffic. Mr. Johnson left early for work in order to avoid traffic.

Works Cited Celce-Murcia, Marianne, and Diane Larsen-Freeman. The  Grammar  Book:  An  ESL/EFL  Teacher’s  Course. 2nd ed. Boston: Heinle & Heinle, 1999. Print. Folse, Keith S.,Elena Vestri Solomon, and Barbara Smith-Palinkas. Top 20 Great Grammar for Great Writing. Boston: Heinle Cengage Learning, 2008. Print. Fuchs, Marjorie, and Margaret Bonner. Focus on Grammar 4. 4th ed. New York: Pearson, 2012. Print. Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. Print.

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