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08 Nov 2022, 16:01
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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
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
Joined: 31 Mar 2022
Last visit: 22 Jul 2025
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Location: India
Concentration: General Management, International Business
Schools: INSEAD Aug'24 intake Oxford Said'25 Judge '25 Imperial'25 HEC Sep'24 Intake LBS '26 ISB '27
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V35
GPA: 2.8
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Schools: INSEAD Aug'24 intake Oxford Said'25 Judge '25 Imperial'25 HEC Sep'24 Intake LBS '26 ISB '27
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V35
Posts: 257
08 Nov 2022, 19:50
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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
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
09 Nov 2022, 02:10
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Braintree
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
09 Nov 2022, 20:20
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@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
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
