294.  Unlike adverbs, conjunctions do not modify:  they are used solely for the purpose of connecting.

Examples of the use of conjunctions:—­

[Sidenote:  They connect words.]

(1) Connecting words:  “It is the very necessity and condition of existence;” “What a simple but exquisite illustration!”

[Sidenote:  Word groups:  Phrases.]

[Sidenote:  Clauses.]

(2) Connecting word groups:  “Hitherto the two systems have existed in different States, but side by side within the American Union;” “This has happened because the Union is a confederation of States.”

[Sidenote:  Sentences.]

(3) Connecting sentences:  “Unanimity in this case can mean only a very large majority. But even unanimity itself is far from indicating the voice of God.”

[Sidenote:  Paragraphs.]

(4) Connecting sentence groups:  Paragraphs would be too long to quote here, but the student will readily find them, in which the writer connects the divisions of narration or argument by such words as but, however, hence, nor, then, therefore, etc.

[Sidenote:  Definition.]

295.  A conjunction is a linking word, connecting words, word groups, sentences, or sentence groups.

[Sidenote:  Classes of conjunctions.]

296.  Conjunctions have two principal divisions:—­

(1) Cooerdinate, joining words, word groups, etc., of the same rank.

(2) Subordinate, joining a subordinate or dependent clause to a principal or independent clause.

COOeRDINATE CONJUNCTIONS.

297.  Cooerdinate conjunctions are of four kinds: 

(1) COPULATIVE, coupling or uniting words and expressions in the same line of thought; as and, also, as well as, moreover, etc.

(2) ADVERSATIVE, connecting words and expressions that are opposite in thought; as but, yet, still, however, while, only, etc.

(3) CAUSAL, introducing a reason or cause.  The chief ones are, for, therefore, hence, then.

(4) ALTERNATIVE, expressing a choice, usually between two things.  They are or, either, else, nor, neither, whether.

[Sidenote:  Correlatives.]

298.  Some of these go in pairs, answering to each other in the same sentence; as, both..._and_; not only..._but_ (or but also); either..._or_; whether..._or_; neither..._nor_; whether..._or whether_.

Some go in threes; as, not only..._but_... and; either..._or_..._or_; neither..._nor_... nor.

Further examples of the use of cooerdinate conjunctions:—­