SC Clarity Needed: FANBOYS vs Subordinating Conjunctions

Question

Hello Experts,

I understand that FANBOYS are used when connecting two independent clauses, and that Subordinating Conjunctions when joining a dependent clause to an independent one. My question is, in the context of say For vs Because, what is the difference between IC + For + IC, and IC + Because + DC? Why is the succeeding clause called an "independent" clause in the former case, while called a "dependent" clause in the latter case, when both of the constructions and meaning appear to be similar in substance?

On a side note, how do we differentiate the above two constructions from words such as "therefore", "moreover" etc, which require a semicolon, and create two "independent clauses"?

Thanks for clarifying,

bt

wadhwakaran · Answer

I don't know if i am the right candidate to put up an explanation for your query but i will try my bit

FANBOYS- The conjunctions used to join two independent clauses or you can also join the two independent clauses using a semicolon.

E.g. The teacher scolded Ram, because he came late.

Because he came late is the dependent clause here.
The dependent clause became dependent because of the presence of 'because' here which is a subordinate. In absence of because there would have been two independent clauses.

Teacher scolded Ram.
He came late.

In short the dependent clause is due to the presence of 'because' which is a subordinator in the sentence.

E.g. 2 Although the economy is strong, the retail industry is struggling.

Again here although is working as a subordinator making the first clause as dependent clause.

We could have used 'But' in the sentence as well and the sentence would have been fine.

The economy is strong but the retail industry is struggling.

Therefore, Moreover and other related words are not the subordintors and thus cannot be used for joining two clauses. That's the reason we see semicolons in these sentences.

Hope it makes sense.

Posted from my mobile device

egmat · Answer

Hey  Braintree

Happy to help.

wadhwakaran  has done a pretty good job at explaining the difference between a Coordinating (FANBOYS) and a Subordinating Conjunction.

In addition to what he has written, note that:

1.  A subordinating conjunction is always considered a part of the Dependent Clause; whereas a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) is not considered a part of the clauses it connects.

So, when we say:

Tom left when Mary arrived.

The DC is "when Mary arrived".

But when we say:

Tom left and Mary arrived.

The ICs are "Tom left" and "Mary arrived".

2.  Dependent Clauses behave as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs inside the Independent Clauses they are connected to. 
 
 For instance,

a. In the sentence, "Tom left  when Mary arrived .", "when Mary arrived" behaves as an  adverbial  modifier of the main verb 'left'. 
b. In the sentence, "The moment  when Mary arrived  sent shivers down my spine.", "when Mary arrived" behaves as an  adjectival  modifier of the noun 'the moment'. 
c. In the sentence, "I know  when Mary arrived. ", "when Mary arrived" behaves as the  noun  object of the verb 'know'.

So, whereas DCs behave as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, ICs behave as standalone sentences.

Coming to your second question, words such as "therefore", "moreover", "hence", etc. are called "Conjunctive Adverbs". Although they seem to connect the two clauses, they are in fact adverbs. They convert the clauses they introduce into adverbial modifiers of the verb in the main clause.

For example,

I left him some money;  hence , he should be fine for a few days.

I hope this helps improve your understanding.

Happy Learning!

Abhishek

Braintree · Answer

@e-gmat

Hi Abhishek,

Thanks for the clear and concise explanation. I have a follow-up question. When you say -

"A subordinating conjunction is always considered a part of the Dependent Clause; whereas a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) is not considered a part of the clauses it connects."  ,

What are the implications of this concept in constructing sentences? How might the GMAT trip us? (Again, say within the context of 'For' vs 'Because').

Thanks a lot for clarifying!

bt

egmat · Answer

Hey  Braintree

There are several ways the GMAT can trap us with the words 'for' and 'because' , either independently or together. Here are a few off the top of my head:

1.  "For" as conjunction Vs "For" as preposition :
The conjunction 'for' is followed by a clause that gives us the reason for another clause, whereas the preposition 'for' is followed by an object noun and is used to convey purpose/intent, duration, distance, belonging, etc.

2.  "For" as conjunction Vs "So" as conjunction :
"For" introduces a clause of reason, whereas 'so' introduces a clause of 'result' or 'consequence'.

3.  "For" as conjunction Vs "because" as conjunction :
The coordinating conjunction 'for' must be preceded by a comma, whereas the subordinating conjunction 'because' need not be preceded by a comma. Moreover, "for" could be replaced with a semi-colon and the two ICs could be placed one after another without a conjunction. "Because", on the other hand, cannot be omitted from the sentence let alone be replaced with a semi-colon. 
 For example:
 a. Tom cannot come along for he has no money. (correct)
b. Tom cannot come along; he has no money. (correct)
c. Tom cannot come along because he has no money.  (correct)

4.  "Because" Vs "because of" :
"Because" is a conjunction that begins a DC, whereas "because of" is a phrasal preposition that takes a noun object.

I hope the above helps improve your understanding. Try to come up with examples for each of the above to cement your learning. Feel free to revert for verification.

Happy Learning!

Abhishek

SC Clarity Needed: FANBOYS vs Subordinating Conjunctions

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