ARE: Lesson - Conjunctions

Conjunctions

The word conjunction comes from two Latin words: cum (together) and iungere (to join). Conjunctions literally join together words, phrases and clauses. Some conjunctions connect equal ideas (coordinating conjunctions); others connect dependent clauses to an independent clause (subordinating conjunctions). Latin also uses conjunctions to describe a series of ideas since they did not use commas for listing items.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions are those words that connect equal parts: words, phrases or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions have logical value: and means that there are two items; or means that it is one of two; but indicates that there has been a change in condition. So, with a coordinating conjunction, you establish a relationship between two equal ideas, connected logically by the conjunction.

Notice how the logical connection changes based on the conjunction:

Coordinating Conjunction List

Conjunction

Latin Examples with Translation

ET
  • Marcus et Iulius sunt gladiatores.
    • Marcus and Julius are gladiators.

(Both are equally true: Marcus is a gladiator. Julius is a gladiator.)

AUT
  • Marcus aut Iulius est gladiator.
    • Marcus or Julius is a gladiator.

(Only one of the two can be true: Marcus is a gladiator. OR Julius is a gladiator.)

Also note: when using "or" both Latin and English treat the subject as singular and use a singular verb form: est/is. If the second noun is plural, a plural verb will be used (Marcus or the soldiers are gladiators.)

NEC
  • Marcus nec Iulius est gladiator.
    • Marcus and not Julius is a gladiator.
    • Marcus is a gladiator, not Julius.

(Here, Marcus is established as the gladiator while Julius is marked as not being a gladiator.)

SED
  • Marcus est gladiator sed Iulius est miles.
    • Marcus is a gladiator but Julius is a soldier.

(Both are true, the second statement stands in contrast to the first)

Correlation

Because of this ability to connect ideas, coordinating conjunctions are often used to create correlation. Essentially, correlation emphasizes the logical connections we witnessed above.

Correlating Conjunctions

Conjunctions

Latin Examples with English Translation

ET...ET
  • Et Marcus et Iulius sunt gladiatores.
    • Both Marcus and Julius are gladiators.

(emphasizing that both are true)

AUT...AUT
  • Aut Marcus aut Iulius est gladiator.
    • Either Marcus or Julius is a gladiator.

(emphasizing that only one is true)

NEC...NEC
  • Nec Marcus nec Iulius est gladiator.
    • Neither Marcus nor Julius is a gladiator.

(emphasizing that neither is true)

You will recall that other words can correlate as well - in the last module, we met two irregular adjectives that are used for correlation (alter and alii). Here are some additional examples of correlation:

  • Alter gladiator rete; alter pilo pugnavit.
    • One gladiator fought with a net; the other fought with a spear.
      • alter...alter = one...the other
  • Alii gladiatores sunt servi; alii sunt captivi.
    • Some gladiators are slaves; others are captives.
      • alii...alii = some...others
  • Non modo quinque gladios sed etiam septendecim sagittas portavimus.
    • We carried not only five swords, but also seventeen arrows.
      • non modo...sed etiam = not only...but also

Sequencing

Coordinating conjunctions are also used to sequence lists: in the original writing system, Latin did not use commas, so to create a list, Romans tended to use conjunctions: 

  • Gladiator erat citus et fidus et periculosus.
    • The gladiator was swift, faithful and dangerous.
  • Nec gladios nec arma nec sagittas nec hastas habuimus.
    • We had no swords, arms, arrows or spears.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Along with acting as coordinators, conjunctions can also connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. Some sources will call dependent clauses subordinate clauses and independent clauses main clauses. 

Common conjunctions that you will see of this type include quod (because), ubi (when), postquam (after), priusquam (before), simul atque (as soon as), dum (while), quamquam (although), si (if) and cum (when). For more detailed information on Subordinating Conjunctions, please download the Additional Notes on Subordinating Conjunctions Links to an external site. handout. The information in the handout is critical to your complete understanding of this topic.