PART II Conjunctions Defined and Illustrated Conjunctions may be regarded as the simplest of connectives, merely conjoining or joining together (Latin conjunctio, joining, from conjungo, join) words, phrases, or sentences. When words are connected by a preposition those words are in different relations. Thus, when we say, "John went to James," John is the subject and James the object of the action, or, as we commonly say, James is "in the objective case." But if we say, James went together," there is no difference in the relations of the two nouns. One is as much nominative as the other. Neither is the object of the action, but, as it is the very office of the conjunction to indicate, the two nouns are coordinate. John and There are, indeed, some grammarians (as Latham) who will say that conjunctions do not connect words or phrases, but only sentences, and that wherever two words seem to be joined by a conjunction the real union is of two sentences that might be made out of the one. In some cases such division may be made, but in others it becomes ridiculous, as in the sentence last quoted. If we say, "John went together and James went together," we utter an absurdity, and do not give the meaning of the original sentence. So if we take the sentence, "The king and queen are an amiable pair," and attempt to make two sen tences of it, we are landed in the absurdity of saying, "The king are an amiable pair and the queen are an amiable pair”; and we do not improve it by putting the verb in the singular and saying, "The king is an amiable pair and the queen is an amiable pair.” The fact is that it is exactly and expressly the two nouns which the conjunction connects, "The king and queen [united] constitute an amiable pair." The same is true of phrases; as, "to be or not to be? that is the question." This could not be resolved into "To be is the question or not to be is the question." Neither phrase is "the question" by itself. 'The question" is which of the two states that are at once paired and contrasted by or shall be preferred. The English language is much more flexible than the grammarians, and continually bursts out of their petty rules, as a growing tree will burst even an iron band fastened too closely around it. [A conjunction is a word that conjoins or connects. Conjunctions so often connect sentences, or what may readily be developed into sentences, that it has sometimes been held that they invariably have that office. Mr. Harris, the author of "Hermes," and Dr. Latham are probably the most eminent advocates of that view. The latter says, there are always two propositions where there is one conjunction"; but the statement, I think, requires limitation. . . . Many words are sometimes pronouns or adverbs, and sometimes conjunctions; and it is not always possible to tell in a given instance which they are. The general test of a conjunction is that it unites two propositions or phrases without being a part of either. We called (but) there was no answer. The propositions are complete in themselves, and but adds nothing to either, but it shows a relation between the two-a relation we may say of disappointment. The conjunction is not necessarily placed between the related propositions. (Although) we called, there was no answer. When the subject or object is two individuals, acting or acted upon together and united by and, the sentence cannot always be decomposed into two propositions without completely recasting it. "This dog and man at first were friends." If this were developed into: and This dog at first were friends, This man at first were friends, it would be very like nonsense. The same might be said of — She mixed wine and oil together. The mother and daughter embraced each other. It is evident then that and does not always connect separate propositions. RAMSEY English Language ch. 8, pp. 491-94.] While words and phrases that are connected by conjunctions are commonly coordinate, yet in the connection of sentences the conjunction may have an office very much like that which the preposition has in the connection of nouns or pronouns, showing the dependence of one sentence upon another. [A conjunction differs from a relative pronoun or adverb, which also connects propositions, in this that the relative belongs to one of the propositions, and the conjunction does not. This is Mr. A. B. who is the secretary of our society. Thus, in the sentence, "I should be very sorry if this were the fact," the supposed possibility of the fact is the condition of the sorrow. This subordinate or conditional thought is introduced by if, which shows the sentence following to be subordinate or conditional. The principal conjunctions are the following: also, although, and, as, because, both, but, either, except, for, however, if, lest, neither, nevertheless, nor, notwithstanding, or, provided, save, seeing, since, so, still, than, that, then, therefore, though, unless, what, when, whereas, whereat, whereby, wherefor, wherefore, wherein, whereof, whereupon, wherever (where'er), whether, while, without, yet. Correlative conjunctions are: although-yet, as-as, as—so, both and, either—or, if—then, neither—nor, now—now, nowthen, so-as, though—yet, whereas therefore, whether—or. ALSO Also (Anglo-Saxon eal swa, all so, entirely so) is ranked both as an adverb and a conjunction. In the conjunctive use, it may either stand alone or in conjunction with and, but, etc., always denoting that what follows is of the same sort as what precedes. 1. In like manner; likewise; wholly so; quite so; as, we must care for the teachers and also for the pupils. There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going a lion, which is strongest among beasts. .; a greyhound; an he-goat, also. Prov. xxx, 29. Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. Matt. xxii, 26. And also, I think, thou art not ignorant How she opposes her against my will. SHAKESPEARE Two Gentlemen of Verona act. iii, sc. 2, 1. 25. 2. As something further tending in the same direction, often with increased emphasis or intensity, or as a result or completion in addition; besides; as well; as, the statesman was also a soldier. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. Gen. i, 16. She took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Gen. iii, 6. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul. Acts xxiv, 26. There is always a disposition, also, to cavil at the conduct of those in command. IRVING Alhambra, Governor Manco p. 401. ALTHOUGH Although is compounded of all and though, and is thus a strengthened form of though. See THOUGH. [Although-all though-does not differ in meaning from though, one of our most primitive conjunctions. It admits the foregoing proposition, but prepares to deny the consequences expected to follow. It is often followed by still or yet as a correlative. "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, iii, 17. . . yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”— HAB. RAMSEY English Language ch. 8, p. 495.] |