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
Time
Manner
Cause
Condition
Purpose
Comparison
Time
after, as, as long as, as soon as, before, since, until, when, whenever, while
Manner
as, as if, as though
Cause
because
Condition
although, as long as, even if, even though, if, provided that, though, unless, while
Purpose
in order that, so that, that
Comparison
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
Prepositions
Compound Prepositions
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
Compound Prepositions
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.