Conjunct
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200312275
2008-03-23T15:35:24Z
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In [[linguistics]], the term '''conjunct''' has two distinct uses:
*A '''conjunct''' is an [[adverbial]] [[adjunct]] that adds information to the [[Sentence (linguistics)|sentence]] that not considered part of the [[proposition|propositional]] content (or at least not essential) but which connects the sentence with previous parts of the [[discourse]]. Rare though it is, conjuncts may also connect to the following parts of the discourse.
**''It was raining. '''Therefore''', we didn’t go swimming.''
**''It was sunny. '''However''', we stayed inside.''
**''You are such a dork. '''Still''', I love you from the bottom of my heart.''
*A [[coordination (linguistics)|coordination]] structure connects two words, phrases or clauses together, usually with the help of a [[Grammatical conjunction|coordinating conjunction]]:
**['''Gretchen''' and '''her daughter'''] bought ['''motor oil''', '''spark plugs''', and '''dynamite'''].
**'''Take two of these''' and '''call me in the morning'''.
This article discusses the first kind of conjunct.
== Forms of conjunct ==
In English conjuncts typically have the following forms:
*Single word (often an [[adverb]]):
:'''''Consequently''', I went home.''
*[[Phrase]]:
:'''''As a result''', I went home.''
*[[Clause]]:
:'''''Taking that reason into account''', I went home.''
== The semantic functions of conjuncts ==
English conjuncts often have the following functions
*Listing (indicating that what follows is a list of propositions)
:'''''To begin with''', I have to tell you that I'm most displeased with your performance in the show. I also think you did a bad job painting the house. You're a lousy cook. You smell. Your hat is ... etc.''
*Enumerative (indicating items on a list of propositions)
:'''''First''', we have to buy bread. '''Second,''' we need to take the car to the garage.'' '''Third,''' we have to call your dentist and make an appointment.
*Additive (indicating that the content of the sentence is in addition to the preceding one)
:''He has no money. '''In addition''', he has no means of getting any.''
*Summative (summing up, or concluding, on the preceding sentence(s))
:''A is B. A is C. '''To sum up,''' A is several things.''
*Appositive (rephrasing the preceding sentence)
:''The French love music. '''In other words''', music is appreciated in France.''
*Resultative/inferential (indicating that the content of the sentence is a result of the events expressed in the preceding sentence)
:''Miss Gold lost her job. She, '''therefore''', had no money.''
*Antithetic (indicating that the content of the sentence is in contrast to the content of the preceding sentence)
:''It is said that water flows up hill. '''On the contrary''', it flows downhill''
*Concessive (indicating that the content of the sentence "exists" despite the content in the preceding sentence)
:''It is very cold. I went for my morning walk, '''however'''.''
*Temporal (indicating temporal relation between the contend of the sentence and the preceding sentence)
:''I had lunch. '''Meanwhile''', my wife had her hair cut.''
==See also==
*[[disjunct (linguistics)|Disjunct]]
[[Category:Syntactic entities]]