What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are an essential part of the English language, connecting words, phrases, and clauses to create clear and meaningful sentences. They are like the glue that holds our words and ideas together, helping us express our thoughts clearly. There are several types of conjunctions, each with its own set of rules and functions. Whether you want to show contrast, add information, or link two thoughts or ideas together, conjunctions are here to make it easier. This article will explore conjunctions in detail, explaining their types, functions, and usage with examples to help you understand how they work in sentences. So, let’s get started!

Conjunctions are words that link two or more words, phrases, or clauses together to form a complete and meaningful sentence. They act as connectors, bringing together different elements to form a unified thought. Conjunctions help us build more complex and meaningful sentences by showing how different elements within a sentence relate to each other. They allow us to express contrast, addition, cause and effect, condition, and more. Without conjunctions, our language would be a series of disjointed ideas, making it difficult for us to convey our thoughts effectively. Conjunctions often appear in the latter part of a sentence when they connect clauses. However, when they are used to connect objects or phrases, they can be positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence, depending on the placement of these objects or phrases.

Examples:

She likes tea. I prefer coffee. (Without Conjunction)
She likes tea, but I prefer coffee. (Without Conjunction)
She went to the store, bought some groceries. She returned home. (Without Conjunction)
She went to the store and bought some groceries, and she returned home. (With Conjunctions)
Sarah likes to read books. Sarah also enjoys writing stories. (Without Conjunction)
Sarah likes to read books, and she also enjoys writing stories. (With Conjunctions)

Conjunctions are like sentence connectors. In the first pair of sentences, without using conjunctions, we present two separate thoughts about tea and coffee. When we add the word “but” in the second sentence, it ties the ideas together and highlights the difference between liking tea and preferring coffee.

In the second set of sentences, we use “and” as a connector. In the first sentence, without “and,” we describe going to the store and buying groceries as separate actions. But with “and,” we make it clear that these actions happen one after the other, like a sequence of events.

In the last pair of sentences, not using conjunctions results in two separate statements about Sarah’s interests. By introducing “and” in the second sentence, we connect these ideas, showing that Sarah both enjoys reading books and writing stories, making them clearer and more engaging.

Types of Conjunctions

Conjunctions can be categorized into several types based on their functions and how they connect words, phrases, or clauses. Let’s explore the most common types of conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunction:

Coordinating conjunctions are simple, frequently used words that connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. There are seven primary coordinating conjunctions: (FANBOYS) “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.”

For: indicates a reason or cause
And: connects similar ideas or elements
Nor: expresses a negative alternative
But: introduces a contrast or exception
Or: presents an alternative or choice
Yet: introduces a contrast or unexpected result
So: indicates a result or consequence

Example Sentences:

She studied hard but couldn’t pass the exam.
I like both pizza and pasta.
Do you want tea or coffee for breakfast?
He neither spoke nor smiled.

Subordinating Conjunction:

Unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions are used to connect an independent clause to a dependent clause, making one clause subordinate to the other. They often indicate whether the dependent clause is providing additional information, expressing cause and effect, or showing contrast, among other things. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on the independent clause for its meaning. Common subordinating conjunctions include

Because: indicates a cause or reason
If: It sets a condition for something else to happen
When: It tells you the time when something happened
While: It shows that two actions are happening at the same time
Since: indicates a point in time
Although: introduces a contrast or exception

Example Sentences:

I’ll call you when I reach the airport.
Although he was tired, he continued working.
If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
I’ve known her since we were kids.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunction:

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join words or phrases of equal grammatical importance. They work together to create balanced and parallel structures in a sentence. Common correlative conjunction pairs include:

Either…or (used to present alternatives or choices between two options)
Neither…nor (expresses the negation of two options)
Both…and (used to emphasize the combination of elements)
Not only…but also (emphasizes additional information)
Whether…or: (Indicates a choice between two alternatives)

Example Sentences:

He is neither rich nor famous.
She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
You can have either cake or ice cream.
Both my sister and I enjoy reading books.

Correlative Conjunctions

Conjunctive Adverbs:

Conjunctive adverbs, also known as adverbial conjunctions or transitional adverbs, are specific types of adverbs that not only modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs but also connect independent clauses or sentences. They are often used to express contrast, cause and effect, sequence, or other relationships between ideas. Some common conjunctive adverbs include “however,” “therefore,” “moreover,” “consequently,” and “nevertheless.”

However: It introduces a contrast or unexpected result.
Therefore: It shows a conclusion or result.
Meanwhile: It indicates that two things are happening at the same time.
Nevertheless: It means “even so” or “in spite of that.”
Furthermore: Adds information or emphasizes a point.
Consequently: Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship.
Moreover: Adds emphasis or provides additional information.

Example Sentences:

She loves to read; however, she rarely finds the time.
It’s raining outside; therefore, we should bring an umbrella.
Asim was studying for his exam. Meanwhile, his friends were watching the movie.
I love chocolate ice cream. Moreover, I also enjoy vanilla.

Rules and Functions of Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
Conjunctions are often placed between the words or clauses they connect. For example: “I like both apples and“
Place a comma before a conjunction when joining two independent clauses.
Do not use a comma alone to join two independent clauses; use a conjunction or a semicolon instead.
Maintain parallel structure when using conjunctions in lists or comparisons.
Maintain subject-verb agreement when connecting subject phrases with “and.” Example: “Sarah and Sana are coming.”
Avoid comma splices (joining independent clauses with a comma without a conjunction) or run-on sentences (joining them without any punctuation).
Coordinating conjunction is used to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show the relationship between the clauses.
Correlative conjunctions come in pairs and include “both…and,” “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “not only…but also.”
Conjunction can show addition (and), contrast (but), choice (or), and more.
They can be used to create compound sentences, complex sentences, or join items in a list.
Don’t use double negatives because sometimes, using double negatives can lead to confusion.
- She can’t neither read nor write. ❎
- She can neither read nor write. ✅
Proper punctuation is essential when using conjunctions to avoid sentence structure errors.
Avoid starting sentences with coordinating conjunction in formal writing.

Complete List of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunction:

Subordinating Conjunction:

Although
Because
Since
While
Unless
If
Until
When
After
Before
As
Though
Although
Even if
Once
Thus
In case
Whether
Where
As much as
Now
As long as
Just as
Provided that
Supposing
As soon as
As if
Even though
Next
So that
Then
In order that
Also
While
Whenever
Regardless
On the whole
In brief
After all
Wherever
However
Even so
In comparison
In the same way

Correlative Conjunction:

Either…or
Neither…nor
Not only…but also
Both…and
Whether…or
Though…yet
As…as
Not…but
As much…as
Such…that
Scarcely…when
Rather…than

Conjunctive Adverbs (sometimes considered conjunctions):

However
Furthermore
Therefore
Nevertheless
Meanwhile
Otherwise
Consequently
Hence
Moreover
Accordingly
Nonetheless
Otherwise
Still
Then
Thus
Hence
Indeed

FAQs

Q1. What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a part of speech used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences in a sentence, often to show a relationship between them.

Q2. What is the purpose of conjunctions?

Conjunctions are used to link words or ideas together, indicating how they are related in a sentence. They can show addition, contrast, cause and effect, time, and more.

Q3. How many types of conjunctions are there?

There are three main types of conjunction:

Coordinating conjunction
Subordinating conjunction
Correlative conjunction

Q4. What are coordinating conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. They include “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet.”

Q5. What are subordinating conjunctions?

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show a relationship of dependence on the main clause. They include words like “if,” “because,” “when,” “although,” and “since.”

Q6. What are correlative conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to link similar elements and show a relationship. Common pairs include “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “both…and,” and “not only…but also.”

Q7. Give some example sentences with conjunctions.

Here are some example sentences with conjunctions: