A Classic Video
I have to be honest! There are not many ways of making learning grammar fun, and that’s probably why “Schoolhouse Rock” made this amazing song about conjunctions! Ok, it’s quite old now and I know what you’re thinking “there’s no way of making conjunctions or any other piece of English grammar fun!” Normally, I would agree with you but trust me this time!
School house rock was an American series of educational videos around through the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Yes, I told you it was a little old, but now it’s become timeless. Conjunction Junction was just one of the many videos made by ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ and it is definitely my favourite.
What is a Conjunction?
Basically, a conjunction is something which connects clauses, sentences or even phrases. There are a number of different types of conjunctions but you really don’t need to know their crazy grammar names. If most native English speakers don’t know their names then you don’t need to either. Let’s keep this simple!
How Are Conjunctions Used?
We sometimes join sentences with one word.
You can have salad or chips with your steak.
You can have salad and chips with your steak.
You can have salad, but you can’t have chips with your steak.
The steak is really small, so you should probably have salad and chips!
….and sometimes with two.
My girlfriend is not only a good cook but also a talented artist.
I would rather go surfing than learn about conjunctions!
The more you practice speaking English, the better you will be at it.
You can either apologise to your sister or go sit in the corner.
We can also use conjunctions to give more (but less important) information in our sentences.
I’ll wait here until he comes back.
After he comes back, we will go shopping together.
I’ll buy you that dress as long as I have enough money.
That’s it for now! There are many more conjunctions in English so see how many you can find. Now let’s watch this old, but timeless video.
“Conjunction Junction, What’s your function?”
Song Lyrics for ‘Conjunction Junction’
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?
I got three favorite cars
That get most of my job done.
Conjunction Junction, what’s their function?
I got “and”, “but”, and “or”,
They’ll get you pretty far.
“And”:
That’s an additive, like “this and that”.
“But”:
That’s sort of the opposite,
“Not this *but* that”.
And then there’s “or”:
O-R, when you have a choice like
“This or that”.
“And”, “but”, and “or”,
Get you pretty far.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up two boxcars and making ’em run right.
Milk and honey, bread and butter, peas and rice.
Hey that’s nice!
Dirty but happy, digging and scratching,
Losing your shoe and a button or two.
He’s poor but honest, sad but true,
Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up two cars to one
When you say something like this choice:
“Either now or later”
Or no choice:
“Neither now nor ever”
Hey that’s clever!
Eat this or that, grow thin or fat,
Never mind, I wouldn’t do that,
I’m fat enough now!
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up phrases and clauses that balance, like:
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
He cut loose the sandbags,
But the balloon wouldn’t go any higher.
Let’s go up to the mountains,
Or down to the sea.
You should always say “thank you”,
Or at least say “please”.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses
In complex sentences like:
“In the mornings, when I am usually wide awake,
I love to take a walk through the gardens and down by the lake,
Where I often see a duck and a drake,
And I wonder as I walk by
Just what they’d say if they could speak,
Although I know that’s an absurd thought.”
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up cars and making ’em function.
Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?
I like tying up words and phrases and clauses.
Conjunction Junction, watch that function.
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
