The use of the comma is optional when the two parts of the sentence are
related or are linked by meaning:
Alicia is smart, but she hates to study.
Alicia is smart but she hates to study.
Following are some commonly used conjunctions:
and
because
but
for
however
if
since
therefore
Look at the following examples:
There was nothing the doctor could do; thereforehe left.
Anna is a smart girl, butshe just doesn’t like studying.
Becauseshe became ill, Maria couldn’t go to the party.
Interrogative pronouns, which ask a question, can also be used as conjunc-
tions. They are not true conjunctions, but they can still be used to combine two
sentences into one. These are interrogative pronouns:
how
what
when
where
why
Look at these examples:
I don’t know whyyou have to go so early.
Can you tell me howI can find Green Street?
WhenJohn came into the room, she began to blush.
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