Interjections
An interjection is a word that expresses some kind of emotion. It can be used as filler. Interjections do not have a grammatical function in the sentence and are not related to the other parts of the sentence. If an interjection is omitted, the sentence still makes sense. It can stand alone.
Ouch! That hurts.
Well, I need a break.
Wow! What a beautiful dress!
When you are expressing a strong emotion, use an exclamation mark (!). A comma (,) can be used for a weaker emotion.
Interjections do the following:
1. Express a feeling-wow, gee, oops, darn, geez, oh:
Oops, I’m sorry. That was my mistake.
Geez! Do I need to do it again?
Oh, I didn’t know that.
2. Say yes or no-yes, no, nope:
Yes! I will do it!
No, I am not going to go there.
Nope. That’s not what I want.
3. Call attention-yo, hey:
Yo, will you throw the ball back?
Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about the previous incident.
4. Indicate a pause-well, um, hmm:
Well, what I meant was nothing like that.
Um, here is our proposal.
Hmm. You really need to be on a diet.
Conjunction
A conjunction joins words or groups of words in a sentence.
I ate lunch with Kate and Derma.
Because it is rainy today, the trip is canceled.
She didn’t press the bell, but I did.
There are three types of conjunctions:
1. Coordinating Conjunctions
a. Connect words, phrases, or clauses that are independent or equal
b. and, but, or, so, for, yet, and not
2. Correlative Conjunctions
a. Used in pairs
b. both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also
3. Subordinating Conjunctions
a. Used at the beginning of subordinate clauses
b. although, after, before, because, how, if, once, since, so that, until, unless, when, while, where, whether, etc.
Coordinating Conjunctions
1. And-means “in addition to”:
We are going to a zoo and an aquarium on a same day.
2. But-connects two different things that are not in agreement:
I am a night owl, but she is an early bird.
3. Or-indicates a choice between two things:
Do you want a red one or a blue one?
4. So-illustrates a result of the first thing:
This song has been very popular, so I downloaded it.
5. For-means “because”:
I want to go there again, for it was a wonderful trip.
6. Yet-indicates contrast with something:
He performed very well, yet he didn’t make the final cut.
Correlative Conjunctions
1. Both/and
She won gold medals from both the single and group races.
Both TV and television are correct words.
2. Either/or
I am fine with either Monday or Wednesday.
You can have either apples or pears.
3. Neither/nor
He enjoys neither drinking nor gambling.
Neither you nor I will get off early today.
4. Not only/but also
Not only red but also green looks good on you.
She got the perfect score in not only English but also math.
Subordinating Conjunctions
1. Although-means “in spite of the fact that”:
Although it was raining, I ran home.
She showed up, although she felt sick.
Although my mom quently to the time when”:
Please text me after you arrive at the shopping mall.
We were forced to stop watching TV after the electricity went out.
I always tell my daughter that she can have dessert after she eats her dinner.
3. Before-indicates “earlier than the time that”:
He had written a living will before he died.
Before he contacted me, I was going to call him.
I need to finish the dishes before my wife gets home.
4. Because-means “for the reason that”:
Because he was smart and worked hard, he was able to make a lot of money.
They stopped building the house because it was pouring.
I love dogs because they are so cute.
5. How-means “the way in which”:
I wonder how you did it.
He explained how he completed it in a few days.
Can you show me how you fixed the computer?
6. If-means “in the event that”:
If it is sunny tomorrow, we can go to the beach.
If I receive a promotion, you will be the first to know.
You can watch TV if you finish your homework.
7. Once-indicates “at the moment when”:
Once you see him, you will recognize him.
Once the light came on, we all shouted with joy.
Call me once you start having contractions.
8. Since-means “from the time when”:
I’ve been a singer since I was young.
Since he graduated, he has been doing nothing.
This building has been remodeled three times since I lived here.
9. So that-means “in order to”:
So that she could keep her position, she didn’t complain at all.
He finished his work as fast as possible so that he could leave early.
He worked harder for a raise so he could buy a nice car.
10. Until-means “up to the time that”:
Don’t go anywhere until I come back.
She didn’t realize her talent in painting until her teacher mentioned it.
They won’t allow us to sit until everyone arrives.
11. Unless-means “except, on the condition”:
You will not pass the exam unless you get a score of 80 or higher.
I will not tell you anything unless you tell me what you know first.
Unless you ask her, you will never know.
12. When-means “at that time”:
When I came in the room, everyone looked at me.
I woke up when my baby was crying.
I started looking for a gas station when my gas light went on.
13. While-means “during the time”:
Someone called you while you were at the meeting.
We met while we were working at the University.
My dog started barking while I was talking on the phone.
14. Where-indicates “in the place”:
This is where I came from.
Please tell me where you are going.
I need to know where John hid the present.
15. Whether-means “if it is true or not”:
We will have a picnic whether it rains or not.
It is time to decide whether we should take action.
You need to decide whether or not you are hungry.
