A CONJUNCTION is a part of speech that is chiefly used to connect
sentences, joining two or more simple sentences into one compound
sentence: it sometimes connects only words; as, "Thou _and_ he are
happy, _because_ you are good."
Conjunctions are those parts of language, which, by joining sentences in
different ways, mark the connexions and various dependances of human
thought. They belong to language only in its refined state.
The term CONJUNCTION comes from the two Latin words, _con_, which
signifies _together_, and _jungo_, to _join_. A conjunction, then, is a
word that conjoins, or joins together something. Before you can fully
comprehend the nature and office of this sort of words, it is requisite
that you should know what is meant by a sentence, a simple sentence, and
a compound sentence, for conjunctions are chiefly used to connect
sentences.
A SENTENCE is an assemblage of words forming complete sense.
A SIMPLE SENTENCE contains but one subject, or nominative, and one verb
which agrees with that nominative; as, "_Wheat grows_ in the field."
You perceive that this sentence contains several words besides the
nominative and the verb, and you will often see a simple sentence
containing many parts of speech; but, if it has only one nominative and
one _finite_ verb, (that is, a verb _not_ in the infinitive mood,) it is
a simple sentence, though it is longer than many compound sentences.
A COMPOUND SENTENCE is composed of two or more simple sentences
connected together; as, "_Wheat grows_ in the field, and _men reap_ it."
This sentence is compound, because it is formed of two simple sentences
joined together by the word _and_; which word, on account of its
connecting power, is called a conjunction. If we write this sentence
without the conjunction, it becomes two simple sentences: thus, "Wheat
grows in the field. Men reap it."
The nature and importance of the conjunction, are easily illustrated.
After expressing one thought or sentiment, you know we frequently wish
to _add_ another, or several others, which are closely connected with
it. We generally effect this addition by means of the conjunction: thus,
"The Georgians cultivate rice _and_ cotton;" that is, "They cultivate
rice _add_ cotton." This sentence is compound, and without the use of
the conjunction, it would be written in two separate, simple sentences:
thus, "The Georgians cultivate rice. They cultivate cotton." The
conjunction, though chiefly used to connect sentences, sometimes
connects only words; in which capacity it is nearly allied to the
preposition; as, "The sun _and (add)_ the planets constitute the solar
system." In this, which is a simple sentence, _and_ connects two
_words_.
A few more examples will illustrate the nature, and exhibit the use of
this part of speech so clearly, as to enable you fully to comprehend it.
The following simple sentences and members of sentences, have no
relation to each other until they are connected by conjunctions. He
labors harder--more successfully--I do. That man is healthy--he is
temperate. By filling up the vacancies in these sentences with
conjunctions, you will see the importance of this sort of words: thus,
He labors harder _and_ more successfully _than_ I do. That man is
healthy _because_ he is temperate.
Conjunctions are divided into two sorts, the Copulative and Disjunctive.
I. The Conjunction _Copulative_ serves to connect and continue a
sentence by joining on a member which expresses an addition, a
supposition, or a cause; as, "Two _and_ three are five; I will go _if_
he will accompany me; You are happy _because_ you are good."
In the first of these examples, _and_ joins on a word that expresses an
_addition_; in the second, _if_ connects a member that implies a
_supposition_ or _condition_; and in the third, _because_ connects a
member that expresses a _cause_.
II. The Conjunction _Disjunctive_ serves to connect and continue a
sentence by joining on a member that expresses opposition of meaning;
as, "They came with her, _but_ they went away without her."
_But_ joins on a member of this sentence which expresses, not only
something added, but, also, _opposition_ of meaning.
The principal conjunctions, may be known by the following _lists_, which
you may now commit to memory. Some words in these lists, are, however,
frequently used as adverbs, and sometimes as prepositions; but if you
study well the nature of all the different sorts of words, you cannot be
at a loss to tell the part of speech of any word in the language.