Solutioning – Explanation and Its Types

Solutioning With Practice  

What is a conjunction? 

The words used to link words, phrases, or clauses together. And, but, and or are all common conjunctions. Conjunctions make a relationship between/among words or groupings of words and other parts of the sentence. 

Now let’s study the various categories of conjunctions. 

Conjunctions appear in a number of different forms, and they serve a variety of functions in sentence constructions. 

These include: 

Coordinating conjunctions: Also known as coordinators, these conjunctions unite or coordinate two or more sentences, main clauses, words, or other pieces of speech that are syntactically similar. 

1. Subordinating conjunctions: These are also known as subordinators; these connect dependent and independent clauses. 

2. Correlative conjunctions: These conjunctions act in pairs to unite phrases or words in a sentence that have equal importance. 

3. Conjunctive adverbs: These adverbs are used to illustrate sequence, contrast, cause and effect, and other relationships by connecting one clause to another. 

Let’s take a closer look at these conjunctions. 

People who are learning to write frequently start with simple statements like these: “My name is Jessi. I am a female. “I enjoy having pets.” One of the most important functions of conjunctions is to connect these types of sentences so that they sound more like this: “My name is Jessie, and I adore pets.” 

What is a coordinating conjunction? 

Coordinating conjunctions connect two or more sentences, main clauses, words, or other pieces of speech that are syntactically similar. Coordinating conjunctions, also known as coordinators, are used to lend equal weight to two main clauses. 

Rules to be applied for coordinating conjunction: 

There are only a few principles for appropriately employing coordinating conjunctions; there are only seven of them: 

• It’s a good idea to use the mnemonic “FANBOYS” to memorize coordinating conjunctions so you’ll never forget them. They are as follows: 

F = for [presents a reason] 

A = and [presents non-contrasting item(s) or idea(s)] 

N = nor [presents a non-contrasting negative idea] 

B = but [presents a contrast or exception] 

O = or [presents an alternative item or idea] 

Y = yet [presents a contrast or exception] 

S = so [presents a consequence] 

• Coordinating conjunctions join phrases, words, and clauses together. 
• Some educators advise against beginning a phrase with a coordinating conjunction. This is usually because they are intended to prevent you from writing fragments rather than whole sentences; nevertheless, it is sometimes just a matter of personal preference. The truth is that you can use coordinating conjunctions to start sentences as long as you follow these three guidelines. 

1. Make sure the coordinating conjunction is followed by the main clause right away. 

2. Don’t start every phrase with a coordinating conjunction. Only do so if it improves the effectiveness of your writing. 

3. Although commas are commonly used after coordinating conjunctions used in places other than the start of a sentence, they should not be used after coordinating conjunctions used to initiate sentences unless an interrupter follows immediately. 

Examples: 

Exercise – 1 

1. I’d like a burger, or a salad for lunch. 

2. We needed a place to concentrate, so we packed up our things and went to the library. 

3. Jesse didn’t have much money, but she got by. 

Note: Notice the use of the comma when a coordinating conjunction is joining two independent clauses. 

Exercise – 2 

1. Do you want tea _____ coffee? 

1. And 

2. With 

3. Or 

4. But 

Solution: ‘or’ is the coordinating conjunction that connects the two words ‘tea’ and ‘coffee.’ 

2. I enjoy visiting many countries _____ I would not want to live anywhere else but Lisbon. 

1. And 

2. But 

3. Or 

4. Though 

Solution: ‘but’ is the coordinator that connects the two sentences to give a meaningful sentence. 

3. I was ill, ______ I did not go to work. 

1. A: So 

2. B: As 

3. C: Because 

4. D: Since 

Solution: ‘so’ is the proper coordinating conjunction that makes a meaningful sentence. 

2. Subordinating Conjunction 

It connects the dependent and independent adverb clauses. To put it another way, instead of combining two equally important independent phrases, the employment of subordinating conjunction words reduces the importance of one phrase relative to another. 

• A dependent clause is always introduced by a subordinating conjunction, which connects it to an independent clause. A dependent clause is a collection of words that cannot be used to form a complete sentence on their own. An independent clause, on the other hand, can function as a complete sentence on its own. 
• Subordinate conjunctions, unlike coordinating conjunctions, can often appear first in a sentence. Because of the nature of the dependent and independent clause’s relationship, this is the case. 

Some words are: After, although, as, as soon as, because, before, by the time, even if, even though, every time, if, in case, now that, once, since, so that, than, the first time, unless, until, when, whenever, whether or not, while, why. 

Examples –  

1. I will drink coffee after having this snack.  

Solution: Here, “I will drink coffee” is an independent clause; “after having this snack” is a dependent adverb clause. 

2. She will come to my home after attending the function. 

Solution: Here, “he will come to my home” is an independent clause; “after attending the function” is a dependent adverb clause. 

3. Correlative conjunction: 

Correlative conjunctions, as their name implies, act in pairs to unite phrases or words in a sentence that are of comparable value. Correlative conjunctions, like many other intriguing aspects of speech, are enjoyable to employ. At the same time, there are certain key guidelines to follow in order to use them properly. 

• Make sure your verbs agree when utilizing correlative conjunctions so your sentences make sense. 
• You must make sure that pronouns agree when using a correlative conjunction. 
• Always keep parallel structure in mind while employing correlative conjunctions. The entire sentence must contain the same number of grammatical units. 

Examples:  

1. She not only gave us a fine dinner ________ drove us back home. 

1. But 

2. And 

3. But also 

4. And then 

Solution: ‘not only…. but also’ is the proper correlative conjunction that is to be used here. 

2. _______ you give up smoking ________ you will develop cancer. 

1. A: Neither, nor 

2. B: Either, or 

3. C: Both, and 

4. D: Whether, so 

Solution: ‘Either…. or’ is the apt correlative conjunction to be used here. 

4. Conjunctive adverbs: 

Conjunctive adverbs are words that are employed to link one phrase to the next. They’re also utilized to demonstrate sequence, contrast, cause and effect, and other connections. 

• Conjunctive adverbs, like other adverbs, can be shifted around in the sentence or clause they appear in. This is just one of the rules for employing conjunctive adverbs; there are a few more to remember: 

1. When separating two independent clauses, always use a period or semicolon before the conjunctive adverb. Independent clauses cannot be joined with conjunctive adverbs without the use of punctuation. 

2. If a conjunction like and, but, or, or so exists between the conjunctive adverb and the first phrase, a comma should be used. 

3. When conjunctive adverbs come at the start of the second clause of a sentence, use a comma. The sole exception is if the adverb is a single syllable, in which case no comma is required. 

4. Most of the time, if a conjunctive adverb appears in the middle of a clause, it should be wrapped in commas. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, and it usually doesn’t apply to short clauses. 

Examples:  

1. We need to put more effort into your work; ________________, we won’t get a passing grade. 

1. Moreover 

2. Otherwise 

3. Unless 

4. Instead 

Solution: We need to put more effort into your work; otherwise, we won’t get a passing grade. 

2. We wanted to spend the evening at the park; ______________________, it rained, so we stayed home. 

1. Moreover 

2. Unless 

3. However 

4. Additionally 

Solution: We wanted to spend the day at the park; however, it rained, so we stayed home. 

3. She is a very smart girl; _____________, it’s not at all surprising that she gets such good grades. 

1. Again 

2. Besides 

3. Contrarily 

4. Therefore 

Solution: She is a very smart girl; therefore, it’s not at all surprising that she gets such good grades. 

4. James is a millionaire; _____________, his brother Jeimy is always flat broke. 

1. In contrast 

2. Accordingly 

3. Again 

4. Likewise 

Solution: Jared is a millionaire; in contrast, his brother Jeimy is always flat broke. 

5. He felt he couldn’t tell the truth about what happened; ____________, he lied. 

1. In contrast 

2. Likewise 

3. Undoubtedly 

4. Instead 

Solution: He felt he couldn’t tell the truth about what happened; instead, he lied.