SAT & ACT Grammar: How Conjunctions Function!

On both the SAT and ACT Grammar and Writing sections, you’re going to need to know a lot about conjunctions.

To troubleshoot the multiple choice sections, it’s crucial to master how conjunctions work, which conjunctions to use, and whether or not a conjunction is being used incorrectly.

And, when you write your own SAT Essay or ACT Essay, it’s mandatory to provide effective transitions, which means - guess what - more conjunctions!

Here, I’ll break down everything you need to know…

What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word or phrase that serves to create a logical relationship between phrases or clauses in a sentence.

There are three basic relationships conjunctions can convey:

Continuers—such as and, in addition, furthermore, and moreover—serve to advance or continue ideas. For example: “The moon cast a gentle glow on the forest, and the campers were at peace.”

Contradictors—like but, yet, although, and however—offer a counterpoint, clarification, or contradictory information. For example: “The test was difficult, but Jane prevailed.”

Cause and Effect conjunctions—such as because, so, for, since, and consequently—highlight a causal relationship. For example: “It suprised no one when the candidate lost the election, for he had made several embarrassing gaffes during the series of debates.”

The SAT and ACT will either use the wrong conjunction type (“Jane studied hard for the test, and she failed”—it should be “but”) or have a double conjunction (“Although Jane studied hard for the test, but she failed”—delete one of them).

Four Types of Conjunctions Explained

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

These conjunctions, together with a comma, join two independent clauses. Independent clauses have a subject and a verb and could stand alone as their own sentences. The acronym FANBOYS can help you remember them: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Examples:

The dog barked, and it ran across the yard.
I was bored, for nothing was happening.
The plan was simple, yet we failed to execute it.

Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions, such as although, because, whereas, since, before, and when, serve to introduce a subordinate (or dependent) clause. They tie the subordinating or dependent clause to the main, independent clause.

Examples:

Before you leave, make sure your room is clean.
Doug wrote down the rules, since they were difficult to remember.
Because she was determined to win, Susan trained for hours every day.

Correlative conjunctions

These conjunctions combine with other conjunctions to form relationships between ideas. Examples include either/or, neither/nor, not only/but, as/as, and whether/or.

Examples:

Pomegranates are not only delicious, but they’re also nutritious.
Neither Jane nor her assistant was at the meeting.
This is as easy as pie.

Conjunctive adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs, like however, furthemore, in addition, moreover, nevertheless, and consequently, serve to create complex relationships between ideas. They require a comma after them and either a period or a semicolon (not a comma) before them.
Examples:

The principal stated that skateboards were banned on campus; nevertheless, several rebellious students continued to skateboard to class.

SAT and ACT grammar is not difficult. However, it does require that you memorize some rules.

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