Conjunction

A conjunction is a word that connects dependent clauses or sentences: compare with prepositions, which put phrases and nouns in relation to each other. Conjunctions tend to be simple, easy words that you’ll instantly recognise: and; or; but; if. The mediocre lawyer’s job is to convert these into more complicated words or, where possible, phrases that you won’t.

Examples

• The classic example is “if”. You can convert this into the pompous expression “in the event that”.
• “And” you might re-render as “together with” or “in addition to”.
• “But” you can effortlessly translate into “however”, “nevertheless”, “in spite of” or — for a real flourish — “notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing”.
• “Because” could be inflated to “as a consequence of”.

• Coordinating conjunctions
• Subordinating conjunctions
• Correlative conjunctions

See also

• And
• Or
• And/or

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