conjunction
Pronunciation: /kənˈdʒʌŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n/
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Definition of conjunction
noun
Origin:
late Middle English: via Old French from Latin conjunctio(n-), from the verb conjungere (see conjoin)
Grammar
A class of words that are used to join together words, phrases, or clauses. They fall into two groups.Coordinating conjunctionsThese link items that have equal status grammatically:uncomfortable but safe ice cream or frozen yoghurt Helena arrived and they called room service. Subordinating conjunctionsIf the two items do not have equal status, then a subordinating conjunction is used. Most commonly this happens in complex sentences when a main clause is joined to a subordinate clause:
| Businesses fail | because | they can't pay their bills. |
| main clause | subordinating conjunction | subordinate clause |