Conjunct 1827209 200312275 2008-03-23T15:35:24Z 61.18.170.135 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]]