Conjunctions are an essential feature of parts of speech in the English language. Let us see the use of the conjunction “whereas”.
The word “whereas” is mainly used to show the contradiction between two clauses while connecting them as a “conjunction.”
Now, we will learn important facts and explanations related to the use of “whereas” as conjunction.
When is “whereas” a conjunction?
The use of the word “although” is somehow similar to the use of the word “whereas.” Let us check the use of “whereas” as conjunction.
The word “whereas” mainly performs the role of conjunction to depict some specific meanings as follows.
| Meanings depicted by the conjunction “whereas” | Example | Explanation |
| 1. “contrast between two facts or ideas” | My friend Sandip has two brothers, whereas Pijush has two sisters. | The word “whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause “Pijush has two sisters” with the main clause “My friend Sandip has two brothers” while depicting the meaning “contrast between two facts or ideas“. |
| 2. “while on the contrary” | I have two friends. My friend Sandip loves pets, whereas Pijush has two pet cats. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause “Pijush has two pet cats” with the main clause “My friend Sandip loves pets” while conveying the meaning” while on the contrary.” |
| 3. “in view of the fact that” | Whereas Sandip’s father bought a cat for him, he asked for a dog as a pet. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause, “he asked for a dog as a pet” with the main clause, “Sandip’s father bought a cat for him” while conveying the meaning,” in view of the fact that.” |
| 4. “but on the other hand” | Sandip bought a cat for him, whereas Pijush bought a dog for him. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause, “Pijush bought a dog for him ” with the main clause, “Sandip bought a cat for him ” while conveying the meaning,” but on the other hand.” |
How is “whereas” a subordinating conjunctive?
A word needs to meet certain criteria to be marked as a “subordinate conjunction”. Let us see the way in which “whereas” becomes a subordinate conjunction.
The word “whereas” becomes a “subordinate conjunction” in the way through which it shows a cause-effect relationship or contradictory relationship between two clauses, like any other subordinate conjunction.
Exceptional Punctuation Rule –
- We must be concerned about the punctuation, which we need to put before the subordinate conjunction “whereas”.
- According to the rule, we must not put any “comma” before any subordinate conjunction, but there are two conjunctions that are exceptional
- “Although” and “Whereas” are two conjunctions that are exceptional as we need to put the punctuation mark “comma” before the subordinate clause to make the meaning of the sentence fruitful.
Example: My brother can paint very fast, whereas my sister is very bad at painting.
Explanation:
The word “whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause “Pijush my sister is very bad at painting” with the main clause ” My brother can paint very fast “while conveying the meaning” while on the contrary.”
Examples of “whereas” as conjunction-
Now, we will use sentences that are framed with the conjunction “whereas” and related explanations to make the concept clear and concrete.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. All the boys in my family are quite talkative, whereas all the girls are shy. | The word “whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause “all the girls are shy” with the main clause “All the boys in my family are quite talkative” while depicting the meaning “contrast between two facts or ideas”. |
| 2. My grandmother can cook for ten people, whereas my mother can cook for only five people. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause “my mother can cook for only five people” with the main clause “My grandmother can cook for ten people” while conveying the meaning” while on the contrary.” |
| 3. My family loves to eat chicken sandwiches, whereas I love to eat cheese sandwiches. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause “I love to eat cheese sandwiches” with the main clause “My family loves to eat chicken sandwiches” while conveying the meaning” while on the contrary.” |
| 4. Mina is working in abroad, whereas none of her family members have ever gone abroad. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause, “none of her family members have ever gone abroad” with the main clause, “Mina is working in abroad” while conveying the meaning, ” but on the other hand.” |
| 5. Renu loves to wear a pink colored gown, whereas her sister told her to wear a blue gown. | “Whereas” can be marked as a conjunction because it connects the clause, “her sister told her to wear a blue gown” with the main clause, “Renu loves to wear a pink colored gown” while conveying the meaning, “in view of the fact that.” |
When is “whereas” not considered as conjunction?
The word “whereas” is broadly in use as a “conjunction” but plays another role in some sentences. Let us see the use of “whereas” except in conjunction.
We can use “whereas” as a “noun” at the start of a sentence, but this rule is applicable only in India and not in other countries. Thus, we can see “whereas” as a noun in the below-listed sentences.
- An introduction to a qualifying legal or formal statement.
- As the introduction of a conditional legal or formal statement.
Example : Whereas Indian amendments state that Indian citizens must do their duty in order to exercise their citizenship rights.
Explanation:
The word “whereas” is in use at the beginning of the sentence as a “noun” of a conditional legal statement. Again, we must keep in mind that this type of use is applicable only in India and not in other countries.
Examples of “whereas” not considered as conjunctions-
Here, we will go through examples where “whereas” is not in use as “conjunction.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. Whereas it is evident that the case must be dismissed in accordance with the produced evidence. | Here, we can mark the word “whereas” as a noun because the sentence is an example of a “legal statement.” |
| 2. Whereas the case number 42 is clear example of case of fraud. | Here, we can mark the word “whereas” as a noun because the sentence is an example of “facts in law.” |
Conclusion:
We can make a note of the point that adverbial clauses are always dependable clauses and they can not be to the main clause without help of the “subordinate conjunction”, like; whereas, so that, although etc.
Hey! I am Arpita Bose Roy. My qualifications are M.A. in English with B. Ed. in both general education and special education. I have 2 years of experience as a “language analyst” at IIT Kharagpur and 4 years of experience as an “Academic Content Developer” at IIT Kharagpur. Currently, I am working as an academic writer at Lambdageeks.