conjunctions

A conjunction is a word that "joins". A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence.

Here are some example conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunctions	Subordinating Conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so	although, because, since, unless

We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.

noun cluse

Using Clauses as Nouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs

If a clause can stand alone as a sentence, it is an independent clause, as in the following example:

Independent

the Prime Minister is in Ottawa

Some clauses, however, cannot stand alone as sentences: in this case, they are dependent clauses or subordinate clauses. Consider the same clause with the subordinating conjunction "because" added to the beginning:

Dependent

when the Prime Minister is in Ottawa

In this case, the clause could not be a sentence by itself, since theconjunction "because" suggests that the clause is providing an explanation for something else. Since this dependent clause answers the question "when," just like an adverb, it is called a dependent adverb clause (or simply an adverb clause, since adverb clauses are always dependent clauses). Note how the clause can replace the adverb "tomorrow" in the following examples:

used to

FORM

[used to + VERB]

Example:

• I used to go to the beach every day.

It is better not to use "used to" in questions or negative forms; however, this is sometimes done in informal spoken English. It is better to ask questions and create negative sentences using Simple Past.

expressing opinion

Asking someone for their opinion about an environmental problem
What do you think we should do about ...?
What do you think the government ought to do about ...?

Expressing your opinion politely
Personally, I think that...
Personally, I feel that....
Personally, I believe that...
In my opinion, ...

Politely disagreeing
I can your point, but ...
I see what you mean, but ...
I understand what you're saying, but on the other hand ...

example dialogue

A: What do you think we should do about global warming?
B: In my opinion, the government should pass a law to limit car travel. If they did that, the level of carbon dioxide in the air would decrease.
A: I can see your point, but if we limit car travel, it'll take people longer to get from A to B. That will reduce productivity, because people will spend less time working and more time traveling. And if productivity goes down, there'll be less money available for the government to combat global warming.
B: I don't think that's a very good argument, because money is not the real problem in this case. It's political will-power. We know what we need to do, but we're too lazy to do it.
A: I don't think it's that simple. There's no easy solution to the problem.

by : http://www.angelfire.com/planet/atsuginishihs/F47.html

giving and responding to complement

Giving complements

That’s a very nice …(dress).

Great job on the …(presentation).

You look very good in … (that new hair-do).

This dish is delicious, my compliments to the chef.

That … (tie) looks great on you.