Main Difference – Preposition vs Conjunction
Prepositions and conjunctions are two significant elements in grammar. Prepositions and conjunctions can be confusing to a student since both of them are connecting words. The main difference between preposition and conjunction is that conjunctions connect two clauses or sentences while prepositions connect nouns or pronouns to another word. In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between Preposition and Conjunction in more detail.
What is a Preposition
Prepositions are connecting words. They can connect noun elements like nouns, pronouns to other parts of a sentence. Thus, they show the relation between a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. Some examples of prepositions include in, at, of, over, by, on and at. Look at the following sentences carefully to understand the function of prepositions.
Examples:
My sister is angry with me.
(Me is brought into the sentence by the use of preposition with.)
We were shocked by your actions.
The cat is sleeping under the table.
Do you want to go to school?
I agreed to his conditions.
We don’t agree with your parents.
What is a Conjunction
Conjunction is a word that connects clauses or sentences. There are two types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions link two independent clauses while subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Coordinating Conjunction
English language has only seven coordinating conjunctions. They are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet and So. These words combine two independent clauses together to make a compound sentence.
I cried, so they bought me ice-cream.
I want to travel, but I don’t have time.
She sang and he played the drum.
Subordinating Conjunction
Subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to an independent clause. They have two main functions – to provide a smooth transition between ideas to indicate a relationship with time, place, cause, result, etc. and to indicate the extent of importance so that the reader can understand what is the most important clause in the sentence.
He hit me because I didn’t obey him.
As I told you earlier, I don’t understand French.
Since you are all here, why don’t we start the meeting?
Although prepositions and conjunctions have different functions, some words can act as both conjunctions and prepositions. You can differentiate the function of the word by looking at the meaning and context of the relevant sentence. Observe how the same word functions as both a preposition and conjunction in the following sentences.
Example 1:
I’ve been waiting for you.
I went to bed early for I had a tiring day.
Example 2:
He has been living in Paris since last summer.
Let’s speak honestly since we all know the true story.
Difference Between Preposition and Conjunction
Function
Preposition: Preposition connects nouns or pronouns to another word.
Conjunction: Conjunction connects two clauses or phrases.
Examples
Preposition: in, at, of, over, by, on, with, at, behind, over, for, etc. are some examples.
Conjunction: and, but, since, for, or, because, though, whenever, etc. are some examples.
