Other Parts of Speech (TM)
Other Parts of Speech
Conjunctions
Conjunctions join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. The coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) join two independent clauses: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. They are always preceded by a comma.
Marta went to the pool, and Alex decided to go shopping.
Annie didn’t want to eat tacos for dinner, so she picked up a pizza on her way home.
Subordinating conjunctions join dependent clauses to the independent clauses to which they are related.
We chose that restaurant because Juan loves pizza.
Subordinating Conjunctions
after, as, as long as, as soon as, before, since, until, when, whenever, while
as, as if, as though
because
although, as long as, even if, even though, if, provided that, though, unless, while
in order that, so that, that
as, than
Correlative conjunctions (whether/or, either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also) work together to join items:
Both the teacher and the students needed a break after the lecture.
When using correlative conjunctions, be sure that the structure of the word, phrase, or clause that follows the first part of the conjunction mirrors the structure of the word, phrase, or clause that follows the second part.
Correct: I will neither mow the grass nor pull the weeds today.
Incorrect: I will neither be mowing the grass nor pull the weeds today.
Prepositions
Prepositions set up relationships in time (after the party) or space (under the cushions) within a sentence. A preposition will always function as part of a prepositional phrase, which includes the preposition along with the object of the preposition.
If a word that usually acts as a preposition is standing alone in a sentence, the word is likely functioning as an adverb (e.g., “She hid underneath.”)
Common Prepositions
about among around at before behind below beneath beside between beyond | by despite down during except for from in into near of | off on onto out outside over past since through till to | toward under underneath until up upon with within |
according to aside from as of as well as | because of by means of in addition to in front of | in place of in respect to in spite of instead of | on account of out of prior to with regard to |
Interjections
Interjections have no grammatical attachment to the sentence itself other than to add expressions of emotion. These parts of speech may be punctuated with commas or exclamation points and may fall anywhere within the sentence.
Ouch! He stepped on my toe.