Elementary New Testament Greek, 2014a

8: Conjunctions
8: Conjunctions
By now we’ve studied eight (of the ten) parts of speech: verbs, nouns, articles,
adverbs, interjections, adjectives, prepositions and pronouns. Now we add a
ninth: the conjunction. Simply put, conjunctions join things together. In Mounce’s
Interlinear code, a conjunction is signaled by “cj” (conjunction). [At the close of this
chapter we’ll round out the 10 parts of speech by dealing with particles, a relatively
minor category.]
Sub-Ordinate Conjunctions (joining
dependent clauses to main clauses)
While a main clause makes sense by itself without needing additional support, a
dependent clause cannot stand alone, and must “latch onto” a main clause to survive.
A dependent clause is joined to a main clause by a Sub-ordinate conjunction, forming
a Complex Sentence. In the examples below, note how the dependent clause is joined
via the conjunction to the main clause.
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Co-Ordinate Conjunction (the joining of
like-element together)
If we wish to join independent sentences together (and maintain the grammatically
independent status of each clause), we must use a Co-ordinate conjunction. Coordinate
conjunctions preserve the equal power of each clause, rather than
subordinating one sentence to the other. The resulting sentence is called a Compound
Sentence. Notice some of the different kinds of logical relationships possible
between these independent clauses as illustrated by how these two clauses (below)
are joined together:
Jerry will drive the squad car, if Tom
will man the radio.
Jerry will drive the squad car though
Wilson has begged him not to.
Jerry will drive the squad car while
Thelma is on vacation.
Jerry will drive the squad car where
John had marked the map.
[if is a Sub-ord. Conj. of condition]
[though is a Sub-ord. Conj. of
concession]
[while is a Sub-ord. Conj. of time]
[where is a Sub-ord. Conj. of place]
Jerry will drive the squad car. Tina
will drive the ambulance.
[No connection expressed =
Asyndeton.]
Jerry will drive the squad car because
the Chief ordered him to do so.
[because is a Sub-ord. Conj. of cause]
Jerry will drive the squad car, and
Tina will drive the ambulance.
Jerry will drive the squad car, or
Tina will drive the ambulance.
Jerry will drive the squad car, but
Tina will drive the ambulance.
[and is a Co-ordinate additive
Conjunction]
[or is a Co-ordinate alternative
Conjunction]
[but is a Co-ordinate contrastive
Conjunction]
Jerry drove the squad car with the
result that everyone hated him.
Jerry will drive the squad car in order
that Jack can drive the pumper.
Jerry drove the squad car by holding the
ignition wires together.
[with the result that is a Sub-ord. Conj.
of result]
[in order that is a Sub-ord. Conj. of
purpose]
[by is a Sub-ord. Conj. of means]
Jerry will drive the squad car just as he
has always driven it.
[just as is a Sub-ord. Conj. of
comparison]