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Conjunctions are connecting words, which form an essential component of English grammar. They connect words, clauses, and sentences and help in the construction of relevant sentences. Conjunctions are part of basic English that is taught and examined in schools. Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the various types of conjunctions, rules governing their use as well as the conjunctions list.

What is a Conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that connects other words, phrases, clauses, and even sentences. Conjunctions make it possible to construct complex, relevant sentences and skip the choppiness of numerous short sentences. It’s of the essence to ensure all the phrases linked by conjunctions share a similar structure.

For example:

Wrong: He discharges his duties precisely and swift.

Correct: He discharges his duties precisely and swiftly.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three types of conjunctions in English Grammar, namely: Coordinating, correlative, and subordinating. Let’s look at each of them in detail.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are meant to link two words, phrases, or clauses of the same structure. Coordinating conjunctions are the most commonly used and are seven in number. They include and, nor, or, for, but, so, and yet.

To help you further understand the working of these conjunctions, let’s look at their use on the following examples:

• Jane and Jason walked out of the meeting following a disagreement with other members. (Words with Words)
• On the eve of the meeting, Joshua and James sent a note of reminder to the rest of the members. (Words with Words)
• Joyce likes reading novels and cleaning utensils during her spare time on weekends. (Phrases with Phrases)
• Jennifer took us to our favorite destination, but it turned out to be a disaster. (Clauses with Clauses)
• Kelly will miss the much-awaited tournament, for he is battling sickness. (Clauses with Clauses)
• Mercy suggested beef or roast meat for lunch. (Words with Words)
• Jenny felt she had no chance of doing well in her final exam. Yet, she managed to perform exemplary in the exam. (sentences with sentences)
• Mason was prepared to sacrifice for the team so that they could qualify for the semi-finals.
• The team neither won the grand prize nor the league cup.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunction joins two essential parts of a sentence to compare or contrast words or ideas in sentences.

The most commonly used correlative conjunctions are neither-nor, either-or, not only-but also, both-and, and whether-or.

To help you understand correlative conjunctions in detail, read the following examples.

• John is both candid and trustworthy
• William and Roman couldn’t agree whether to watch the match at home or the neighboring restaurant.
• The police did not only found the driver drunk but also in contravention of traffic rules.
• The doctor had neither the experience nor the expertise to perform a lung transplant.
• You either return the stolen items or face prosecution.
• The trader is both alert and calculating when talking to potential customers.

Subordinating Conjunctions

They join two clauses of dissimilar structures or of unequal importance. This is usually the case with independent and non-independent clauses.

There are numerous subordinating conjunctions, but the most commonly used are because, since, although, before, until, unless, as if, as, so that, than, how, though, whether, while, and so on.

Examples in a sentence

• The teacher released the students before heading to town.
• Unless she works hard, she will never do well in mathematics.
• Mum won’t make it to work today because of her deteriorating health.
• Until the funds are available, the project will remain incomplete for the time being.

List of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

• And, but, for, nor, or, so, yet.

Correlative Conjunctions

• Neither/nor, both/and, whether/or, either/or, not only/but also.

Subordinating Conjunctions

• Because, before, whenever, though, until, when, unless, whereas, in case, supposing, although, as soon as, whether or not, once, only if, while, provided that, wherever, since, so, only if, even though, even if, as long as, etc.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Conjunctions

Common mistakes to avoid when using conjunctions include using them incorrectly or unnecessarily, using them in the wrong order, and failing to punctuate them properly.

For example, using “and” to connect two independent clauses without a comma can result in a run-on sentence. Similarly, using “but” to connect two independent clauses without a comma can create a sentence fragment.

Additionally, using too many conjunctions can make a sentence awkward and difficult to read. It is important to use conjunctions judiciously and correctly in order to effectively convey your intended meaning.

Tips for Improving Your Conjunction Usage

Improving your conjunction usage can greatly enhance the clarity and cohesiveness of your writing.

• One tip is to use conjunctions to connect related ideas, instead of using them haphazardly.
• Additionally, using a variety of conjunctions can make your writing more interesting and engaging.
• Another tip is to use conjunctions to create contrast or emphasis, such as using “but” to introduce a contradictory idea.
• It is also important to use conjunctions correctly, such as using “and” to connect two independent clauses, and “but” to connect two contrasting ideas.

Practicing and reviewing conjunction usage can help improve your writing and communication skills.

Conjunction Exercises

Exercise 1: Combine each pair of sentences below using the appropriate conjunction (and, but, or, so, although, because).

1. I wanted to go to the party. I had a headache.
2. She is a great singer. She is not very confident.
3. I have to finish this report. I can’t go to the movie.
4. He is very busy. He always finds time to exercise.
5. I like pizza. I don’t like hamburgers.
6. It’s too late to go out. I’ll just stay home.
7. He is very tall. He is not very good at basketball.
8. She studied hard for the test. She got an A.
9. He loves to read. He loves to write.
10. She is allergic to nuts. She can’t eat peanut butter.

Answers:

1. I wanted to go to the party, but I had a headache.
2. Although she is a great singer, she is not very confident.
3. I have to finish this report, so I can’t go to the movie.
4. He is very busy, but he always finds time to exercise.
5. I like pizza, but I don’t like hamburgers.
6. It’s too late to go out, so I’ll just stay home.
7. He is very tall, but he is not very good at basketball.
8. She studied hard for the test, so she got an A.
9. He loves to read and write.
10. She is allergic to nuts, so she can’t eat peanut butter.

Exercise 2: Use conjunctions to combine two or more sentences:

1. Sarah went to the store. She bought some milk.

• (Sarah went to the store and bought some milk.)

1. Jack is very tired. He still has to finish his homework.

• (Jack is very tired but he still has to finish his homework.)

1. I want to go to the concert. I can’t afford the tickets.

• (I want to go to the concert, but I can’t afford the tickets.)

1. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day.

• (The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.)

1. Mary is allergic to peanuts. She can’t eat peanut butter.

• (Mary is allergic to peanuts, so she can’t eat peanut butter.)

1. I need to buy some groceries. I’m going to the supermarket.

• (I need to buy some groceries, so I’m going to the supermarket.)

1. Mark loves pizza. He also loves hamburgers.

• (Mark loves pizza and hamburgers.)

1. She woke up late. She missed her bus.

• (She woke up late, and she missed her bus.)

1. He studied very hard. He passed the test.

• (He studied very hard, and he passed the test.)

1. The party was loud. I couldn’t hear myself think.

• (The party was loud, so I couldn’t hear myself think.)

Conjunction | Infographic

Published on
October 23, 2022
by

Amy Luo.

Revised on
March 8, 2023.

A conjunction is a word that is used to connect words, phrases, and clauses. There are many conjunctions in the English language, but some common ones include and, or, but, because, for, if, and when.

There are three basic types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.

Because the popstar caught a terrible cold, her upcoming performances in Boston and Chicago were indefinitely postponed. The tour organizers provided neither rescheduled dates nor refunds for the tickets, causing much discontent among the fans.

Coordinating conjunctions

This type of conjunction is used to connect items that are grammatically equal: two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English, and you can remember them using the mnemonic device FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

A conjunction of this type is placed between the items that it links together.

Words

Coordinating conjunctions can join two nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other types of word.

• The data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews.
• I don’t like to run or swim.
• He was clever but lazy.

Phrases

They can also join different types of phrases.

• The dog wagged his tail and panted excitedly.
• The results were undeniably intriguing yet ultimately inconclusive.
• She usually studies in the library or at a cafe.

Independent clauses

A clause is a group of words that contains at least a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand on its own as a full sentence, expressing a complete thought.

• Today Jane Austen is one of the most widely read English novelists, but she achieved little fame during her lifetime.

In the sentence above, the coordinating conjunction but creates a relationship between two independent clauses. Therefore, you place a comma before but. Notice that the two clauses also work as sentences on their own.

• Today Jane Austen is one of the most widely read English novelists. She achieved little fame during her lifetime.

 Punctuating coordinating conjunctions

When joining two words or phrases with a coordinating conjunction, do not use a comma.

Comma error	Correction
Data was gathered through questionnaires, and interviews.	Data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews.
She usually studies in the library, or at a cafe.	She usually studies in the library or at a cafe.

In these examples, the conjunction joins two words or phrases that are connected to a single verb (gathered and studies), so you shouldn’t place a comma before and.

When joining two independent clauses, however, use a comma before the conjunction.

Comma error	Correction
Data was gathered through questionnaires and selected respondents participated in interviews.	Data was gathered through questionnaires, and selected respondents participated in interviews.
She usually studies in the library but when it is too busy she goes to a cafe.	She usually studies in the library, but when it is too busy she goes to a cafe.

In these examples, the clauses before and after the conjunction could both stand as full sentences on their own, so a comma is required.

Subordinating conjunctions

This type of conjunction includes words like because, if, although, since, until, and while. A subordinating conjunction is used to introduce a dependent clause.

In contrast to an independent clause, a dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand as a complete sentence on its own. A dependent clause does not express a complete idea, so it must always be attached to an independent clause.

• Because I woke up late this morning. I went to school without eating breakfast.
• Because I woke up late this morning, I went to school without eating breakfast.
• I went to school without eating breakfast because I woke up late this morning.

I woke up late this morning is an independent clause, but the subordinating conjunction because turns it into a dependent clause: Because I woke up late this morning does not finish a complete thought. It must be joined to an independent clause to form a grammatically correct sentence.

The subordinating conjunction defines the relationship between the clauses. The table below shows some common subordinating conjunctions and the relationships they express, but note that this is not a complete list.

Relationship	Common subordinating conjunctions
Cause and effect	because, since, as
Time	when, before, after, once, until, whenever, since, while
Place	where, wherever
Condition	if, unless, in case
Contrast	although, though, whereas

Punctuating subordinating conjunctions

When a subordinating conjunction follows an independent clause, a comma is often not necessary. In general, when the dependent clause contains essential information about the independent clause, don’t use a comma.

Comma error	Correction
She will receive a major bonus, if she succeeds in closing the corporate partnership deal.	She will receive a major bonus if she succeeds in closing the corporate partnership deal.
John’s friends snuck into his apartment to set up a surprise party, while he was at work.	John’s friends snuck into his apartment to set up a surprise party while he was at work.

However, when the subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma at the end of the dependent clause.

Comma error	Correction
If she succeeds in closing the corporate partnership deal she will receive a major bonus.	If she succeeds in closing the corporate partnership deal, she will receive a major bonus.
While John was at work his friends snuck into his apartment to set up a surprise party.	While John was at work, his friends snuck into his apartment to set up a surprise party.

Correlative conjunctions

This type of conjunction always comes in a pair and is used to join grammatically equal elements in a sentence. Common pairs include either … or, neither … nor, not only … but also, and both … and. In most cases, no comma should be used between the two elements.

• Her book on the Vietnam War drew not only from interviews with other survivors but also from her own experiences in the conflict.

Correlative conjunctions must use parallel structure, which means the two elements should take the same grammatical form.

• She planned to collect data by either using an online survey or phone interviews.
• She planned to collect data by either using an online survey or conducting phone interviews.

Starting a sentence with a conjunction

Beginner writers are often taught that sentences should not begin with a coordinating conjunction. However, it is not strictly incorrect to begin a sentence with a conjunction, and you may find it used effectively by skilled writers to create emphasis.

Governments often seek to gain favor from voters by prioritising economic development over environmental sustainability. But at what cost to the planet and future generations?

While such usage has become acceptable in popular and literary language, it is generally best avoided in academic writing where possible.

A subordinating conjunction can come at the start of a sentence, but only if the dependent clause is followed by an independent clause.

Until the company reaches a satisfactory agreement with the union, the workers will remain on strike.

A dependent clause on its own is known as a sentence fragment.

How long will the strike go on for? Until the company reaches a satisfactory agreement with the union.

Although fragments are often used in speech and informal writing, they should generally be avoided in academic writing.

Other interesting language articles

If you want to know more about nouns, pronouns, verbs, and other parts of speech, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations and examples.

Verbs

• Verb tenses
• Phrasal verbs
• Types of verbs
• Active vs passive voice
• Subject-verb agreement

Other 

• Articles
• Interjections
• Adjectives
• Determiners
• Prepositions

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

This Scribbr article

Luo, A.
(2023, March 08). Using Conjunctions | Definition, Rules & Examples. Scribbr.
Retrieved April 13, 2023,
from https://www.scribbr.com/parts-of-speech/conjunctions/

Sources

Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar. Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Show all sources (3)

Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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In grammar, a conjunction (abbreviated CONJ or CNJ) is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses that are called the conjuncts of the conjunctions. That definition may overlap with that of other parts of speech, and so what constitutes a «conjunction» must be defined for each language. In English, a given word may have several senses, and be either a preposition or a conjunction depending on the syntax of the sentence. For example, after is a preposition in «he left after the fight» but is a conjunction in «he left after they fought». In general, a conjunction is an invariable (non-inflected) grammatical particle that may or may not stand between the items conjoined.

The definition of conjunction may also be extended to idiomatic phrases that behave as a unit with the same function, e.g. «as well as», «provided that».

A simple literary example of a conjunction is «the truth of nature, and the power of giving interest» (Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Biographia Literaria).^[1]

A conjunction may be placed at the beginning of a sentence to c:^[2] «But some superstition about the practice persists.»^[3]

Separation of clauses[edit]

Commas are often used to separate clauses. In English, a comma is used to separate a dependent clause from the independent clause if the dependent clause comes first: After I fed the cat, I brushed my clothes. (Compare this with I brushed my clothes after I fed the cat.) A relative clause takes commas if it is non-restrictive, as in I cut down all the trees, which were over six feet tall. (Without the comma, this would mean that only the trees more than six feet tall were cut down.) Some style guides prescribe that two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) must be separated by a comma placed before the conjunction.^[4][5] In the following sentences, where the second clause is independent (because it can stand alone as a sentence), the comma is considered by those guides to be necessary:

• Mary walked to the party, but she was unable to walk home.
• Designer clothes are silly, and I can’t afford them anyway.
• Don’t push that button, or twelve tons of high explosives will go off right under our feet!

In the following sentences, where the second half of the sentence is not an independent clause (because it does not contain an explicit subject), those guides prescribe that the comma be omitted:

• Mary walked to the party but was unable to walk home.
• I think designer clothes are silly and can’t afford them anyway.

However, such guides permit the comma to be omitted if the second independent clause is very short, typically when the second independent clause is an imperative,^[4][5] as in:

• Sit down and shut up.

The above guidance is not universally accepted or applied. Long coordinate clauses are nonetheless usually separated by commas:^[6]

• She had very little to live on, but she would never have dreamed of taking what was not hers.

A comma between clauses may change the connotation, reducing or eliminating ambiguity. In the following examples, the thing in the first sentence that is very relaxing is the cool day, whereas in the second sentence it is the walk, since the introduction of commas makes «on a cool day» parenthetical:

They took a walk on a cool day that was very relaxing.

They took a walk, on a cool day, that was very relaxing.

If another prepositional phrase is introduced, ambiguity increases, but when commas separate each clause and phrase, the restrictive clause can remain a modifier of the walk:

They took a walk in the park on a cool day that was very relaxing.

They took a walk, in the park, on a cool day, that was very relaxing.

In some languages, such as German and Polish, stricter rules apply on comma use between clauses, with dependent clauses always being set off with commas, and commas being generally proscribed before certain coordinating conjunctions.

The joining of two independent sentences with a comma and no conjunction (as in «It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.») is known as a comma splice and is sometimes considered an error in English;^[7] in most cases a semicolon should be used instead. A comma splice should not be confused, though, with the literary device called asyndeton, in which coordinating conjunctions are purposely omitted for a specific stylistic effect.

Etymology[edit]

Beginning in the 17th century, an element of a conjunction was known as a conjunct.^[8] A conjunction itself was then called a connective.^[9] That archaic term, however, diminished in usage during the early 20th century.^[10] In its place, the terms coordinating conjunction (coined in the mid-19th century) and correlative conjunction (coined in the early 19th century) became more commonly used.^[11][12]

Coordinating conjunctions[edit]

Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators, are conjunctions that join, or coordinate, two or more items (such as words, main clauses, or sentences) of equal syntactic importance. In English, the mnemonic acronym FANBOYS can be used to remember the most commonly used coordinators: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.^[13] These are not the only coordinating conjunctions; various others are used, including: «and nor» (British), «but nor» (British), «neither» («They don’t gamble, neither do they smoke»), «no more» («They don’t gamble, no more do they smoke»), and «only» («I would go, only I don’t have time»).^{[14]: ch. 9 [15]: p. 171} Types of coordinating conjunctions include cumulative conjunctions, adversative conjunctions, alternative conjunctions, and illative conjunctions.^[16]

Here are some examples of coordinating conjunctions in English and what they do:

• For – an illative (i.e. inferential), presents rationale («They do not gamble or smoke, for they are ascetics.»)
• And – a cumulative, adds non-contrasting items or ideas («They gamble, and they smoke.»)
• Nor – presents an alternative non-contrasting (also negative) idea («They do not gamble, nor do they smoke.»)
• But – an adversative, presents a contrast or exception («They gamble, but they don’t smoke.»)
• Or – presents an alternative non-contrasting item or idea («Every day they gamble, or they smoke.»)
• Yet – an adversative, presents a strong contrast or exception («They gamble, yet they don’t smoke.»)
• So – an illative (i.e. inferential), presents a consequence («He gambled well last night, so he smoked a cigar to celebrate.»)

Only and, or, nor are actual coordinating logical operators connecting atomic propositions or syntactic multiple units of the same type (subject, objects, predicative, attributive expressions, etc.) within a sentence. The cause and consequence (illative) conjunctions are pseudocoordinators, being expressible as antecedent or consequent to logical implications or grammatically as subordinate conditional clauses.

Correlative conjunctions[edit]

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join words and groups of words of equal weight in a sentence. There are many different pairs of correlative conjunctions:

• either…or
• not only…but (also)
• neither…nor
• both…and
• whether…or
• just as…so
• the…the
• as…as
• as much…as
• no sooner…than
• rather…than
• not…but rather

Examples:

• You either do your work or prepare for a trip to the office. (Either do or prepare)
• He is not only handsome but also brilliant. (Not only A but also B)
• Neither the basketball team nor the football team is doing well.
• Both the cross country team and the swimming team are doing well.
• You must decide whether you stay or you go.
• Just as many Americans love basketball, so many Canadians love ice hockey.
• The more you practice dribbling, the better you will be at it.
• Football is as fast as hockey (is (fast)).
• Football is as much an addiction as it is a sport.
• No sooner did she learn to ski than the snow began to thaw.
• I would rather swim than surf.
• He donated money not to those in need, but rather to those who would benefit him.

Conjunctions of time[edit]

Examples:

after	We’ll do that after you do this.
as long as	That’s fine as long as you agree to our conditions.
as soon as	We’ll get to that as soon as we finish this.
by the time	He had left by the time you arrived.
long before	We’ll be gone long before you arrive.
now that	We can get going now that they have left.
once	We’ll have less to worry about once the boss leaves.
since	We haven’t been able to upload our work since the network went down.
till	Please hold on till the server reboots.
until	We are waiting until you send us the confirmation.
when	They can do what they want when they want.
whenever	There is a good chance of rain whenever there are clouds in the sky.
while	I really appreciate you waiting while I finish up.

Subordinating conjunctions[edit]

Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions that join an independent clause and a dependent clause, and also introduce adverb clauses. The most common subordinating conjunctions in the English language include after, although, as, as far as, as if, as long as, as soon as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, every time, if, in order that, since, so, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, and while.^[17]

Complementizers can be considered to be special subordinating conjunctions that introduce complement clauses: e.g. «I wonder whether he’ll be late. I hope that he’ll be on time». Some subordinating conjunctions, when used to introduce a phrase instead of a full clause, become prepositions with identical meanings.

The subordinating conjunction performs two important functions within a sentence: illustrating the importance of the independent clause and providing a transition between two ideas in the same sentence by indicating a time, place, or cause and therefore affecting the relationship between the clauses.^[18]

In many verb-final languages, subordinate clauses must precede the main clause on which they depend. The equivalents to the subordinating conjunctions of non-verb-final languages such as English are either

• clause-final conjunctions (e.g. in Japanese); or
• suffixes attached to the verb, and not separate words^[19]

Such languages often lack conjunctions as a part of speech, because:

• the form of the verb used is formally nominalised and cannot occur in an independent clause
• the clause-final conjunction or suffix attached to the verb is a marker of case and is also used in nouns to indicate certain functions. In this sense, the subordinate clauses of these languages have much in common with postpositional phrases.

In other West Germanic languages like German and Dutch, the word order after a subordinating conjunction is different from that in an independent clause, e.g. in Dutch want (‘for’) is coordinating, but omdat (‘because’) is subordinating. The clause after the coordinating conjunction has normal word order, but the clause after the subordinating conjunction has verb-final word order. Compare:

Hij gaat naar huis, want hij is ziek. (‘He goes home, for he is ill.’)

Hij gaat naar huis, omdat hij ziek is. (‘He goes home because he is ill.’)

Similarly, in German, denn (‘for’) is coordinating, but weil (‘because’) is subordinating:

Er geht nach Hause, denn er ist krank. (‘He goes home, for he is ill.’)

Er geht nach Hause, weil er krank ist. (‘He goes home, because he is ill.’)

Starting a sentence[edit]

It is now generally agreed that a sentence may begin with a coordinating conjunction like and,^[20] but,^[21] or yet.^[22] While some people consider this usage improper, Follett’s Modern American Usage labels its prohibition a «supposed rule without foundation» and a «prejudice [that] lingers from a bygone time.»^[23]

Some associate this belief with their early school days. One conjecture is that it results from young children’s being taught to avoid simple sentences starting with and and are encouraged to use more complex structures with subordinating conjunctions.^[20] In the words of Bryan A. Garner, the «widespread belief … that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as and, but, or so has no historical or grammatical foundation»,^[24] and good writers have frequently started sentences with conjunctions.^[23]

There is also a misleading guideline that a sentence should never begin with because. Because is a subordinating conjunction, and introduces a dependent clause. It may start a sentence when the main clause follows the dependent clause.^[25]

Examples[edit]

• «And now we have Facebook and Twitter and WordPress and Tumblr and all those other platforms that take our daily doings and transform them into media.»^[26]
• «So any modern editor who is not paranoid is a fool».^[27]
• «And strikes are protected globally, existing in many of the countries with labour laws outside the Wagner Act model.»^[28]

In other languages[edit]

Warlpiri[edit]

In Warlpiri, a Pama-Nyungan language spoken in Australia, conjunctions function differently from English or other Germanic languages. In unembedded contexts, Warlpiri uses the coordinator manu, such that P manu Q translates to «P and Q»: Cecilia manu Gloriapala yanu tawunu kurra means «Cecilia and Gloria went to town», but in the negative contexts, P manu Q translates to «neither P nor Q», such that kularnangku yinyi rampaku manu loli means «I won’t give you cookies or lollipops», as kularnanagku is a form of the Warlpiri negative marker.^[29]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Subordinating Junctions

In English, conjunctions are the words that connect words, phrases or clauses. They join different parts of speeches together, creating relationships between parts of a sentence or different ideas and objects. To demonstrate different relationships, there are different types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating and correlative conjunctions. So how do we define and use these different conjunctions? Here are some explanations and examples.

Coordinating Conjunctions

The most common, and simplest, conjunction is the coordinating conjunctions. These join words, phrases and clauses as a simple link, as equal grammatical components.

• Cats and dogs are animals. (connecting two words)
• We wanted to walk in the forest or on the hill. (connecting two phrases)
• They went to the park and had a picnic. (connecting two clauses)

Coordinating conjunctions include and, or, for, so, but, yet and nor. These can create relationships that show, for example, a contrast, a decision, or consequences, but in all cases the they connect words, phrases and clauses that do not have a grammatical impact on each other.

• I wanted to go, but decided to stay. (contrast)
• She did not know whether to go left or right. (decision)
• It started raining, so he went home. (consequence)

Coordinating conjunctions do not require a comma before them when connecting single words or ideas, but require a comma when listing more than one word, phrase or clause.

• They ate cheese, biscuits and fruit for desert.

They also usually require a comma when connecting two independent clauses.

• I liked the car, but I could not afford to buy it.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect an independent clause to a dependent clause. They show consequences, connecting two ideas – and are different from coordinating conjunctions because they occur in sentences where the dependent clause would not work on its own.

• They played football while it was sunny.

Here, it was sunny is a dependent clause; it is a grammatically complete idea but it does not really make sense on its own (leading you to ask what was sunny, or when was it sunny, without the independent clause to provide context).

Subordinating clauses can demonstrate a wide variety of relationships between two clauses. They can also come at the beginning of clauses, as well as connecting clauses in the middle.

• We were happy because our team won.
• Because our team won, we were happy.

Common subordinating conjunctions include:

• after
• although
• as
• as far as
• as if
• as soon as
• because
• before
• even if
• how
• if
• in case
• in that
• no matter how
• now that
• once
• provided
• since
• so that
• supposing
• though
• unless
• until
• when
• wherever
• whether
• while
• while

Check the next edition of this blog to see examples for all of these conjunctions!

Correlative Conjunction

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that connect equal sentence parts in specific ways. These can connect or contrast ideas. An example that I have previously discussed in detail is not only…but also.

• This is not only fun, but also interesting.

Other examples include:

• both… and
• either… or
• neither… nor
• not only… but also
• so… as
• whether… or

These create specific relationships between words that are generally used for emphasis. For example, we could connect two ideas simply with and, but it emphasises that the two ideas share a certain quality if we say both… and.

• My mother and sister were ill.
• Both my mother and sister were ill.

In the second sentence, this may emphasise that for both people to be ill is surprising or alarming. The first sentence is more of a dry statement of fact.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Clauses and phrases can also be connected with certain adverbs which connect ideas. These can be used in the same way as conjunctions, but are not specifically conjunctions. They can be single adverbs or adverb phrases.

• He bought two oranges in addition to the bag of grapes.
• We finished watching the film, although no one understood it.

These are usually used in the form of subordinating conjunctions, although they can also introduce new sentences (following a related sentence). As such they can come at the beginning or middle of a sentence.

• I like old books, for example The Illiad.
• I like old books. For example, The Illiad is very good.

Examples of more conjunctive adverbs include:

• after all
• as a result
• consequently
• finally
• for example
• furthermore
• hence
• however
• in addition
• in fact
• incidentally
• indeed
• instead
• likewise
• meanwhile
• on the contrary
• on the other hand
• otherwise
• still
• therefore
• thus

Using Conjunctions

Conjunctions, in all three forms, and including conjunctive adverbs, are very useful for connecting both simple and complex ideas in English. They create relationships and can be useful for flow. They are simple in theory, but can be as complicated as the phrases and ideas they connect.

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects other words or phrases as well as clauses of equal rank.

The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. (One way to remember them is by using the acronym FANBOYS as a mnemonic device: For And Nor But Or Yet So.)

We use coordinating conjunctions with great frequency in our communications:

I would like lettuce and tomato with my sandwich, but please go easy on the mayo.

Paula doesn’t want to ski this winter, nor does she care to go ice fishing.

Roger has a clumsy yet effective way of fixing broken appliances.

Coordinating Conjunctions in Different Roles

A coordinating conjunction can function with many different parts of speech and sentences such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, and clauses.

Noun: Should we buy the van or the SUV?

Verb: The party guests ate and drank through the night.

Adjective: That costume is colorful but gaudy.

Adverbs: Slowly yet surely, Jane will finish writing her book.

Prepositional Phrase: The cabin you’re looking for is either beyond the stream or over the ridge.

Clause: The band is exhausted, so they need to postpone several tour dates.

Let’s look at more examples of how coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses. Also continue to note how they unite parts of equal rank.

Words: Rain or shine, we will run and compete. (two nouns: rain, shine; two verbs: run, compete)

Phrases: At night or by day, the guards protect the perimeter and monitor activity. (two prepositional phrases: at night, by day; two verb phrases: protect the perimeter, monitor activity)

Clauses: The checking account is getting close to the minimum balance, so we need to make a deposit soon. (two independent clauses: the checking account is getting close to the minimum balance, we need to make a deposit soon)

Punctuation with Coordinating Conjunctions

Commas separate more than two items in a series joined by a coordinating conjunction, including a comma before the conjunction (often referred to as the serial or Oxford comma).

Examples

The salad includes berries, pine nuts, and blue cheese.

Please call, write, or stop by when you’ve made a decision.

A comma also separates two independent clauses connected by a conjunction.

Examples

The league is revising its policy, and we will soon announce the new rules concerning playing through a hole on the golf course.

The car needs to be moved by ten p.m., or the city will issue a citation against it.

When separating independent clauses, the coordinating conjunctions yet and so can be punctuated with a comma or a semicolon.

Examples

The path is narrow and long, yet on they go.

The path is narrow and long; yet on they go.

When main clauses are short and joined by the conjunction and or or, the comma may be omitted as style and preference determine.

Examples

The path is narrow and long yet on they go.

Tonight the stars will come out and the moon will be full.

Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

Along the way you may have learned or been told to never begin a sentence with a conjunction. The thinking behind this is well intended, as it means to prevent us from writing choppy or fragmented sentences.

Contrary to unyielding guidance, starting a sentence with a conjunction is acceptable as long as it maintains principles of good writing form. In particular:

make sure the coordinating conjunction introduces a main clause related to the previous sentence: The abandoned bulldozer was a hulking metal mass on the roadside: an immovable junkyard fist on the ground. But the town officials would not have it removed.

be sparing in starting sentences with conjunctions. This technique should be used only to emphasize a statement or thought or otherwise achieve writer style or voice in well-chosen places.

remember that a comma precedes a coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses, but a comma does not follow a conjunction that begins a following sentence unless a parenthetical thought is inserted.

Incorrect: The abandoned bulldozer was a hulking metal mass on the roadside: an immovable junkyard fist on the ground. But, the town officials would not have it removed.

Correct: The abandoned bulldozer was a hulking metal mass on the roadside: an immovable junkyard fist on the ground. But, knowing what it stood for, the town officials would not have it removed.

Related Topics

Do You Need Commas Before Conjunctions?
Connecting Sentences with Commas and Semicolons

Pop Quiz

Identify the correctly worded and punctuated sentence from each pair.

1a. Let’s go to the hardware store, buy a hammer, a screwdriver, pliers.
1b. Let’s go to the hardware store and buy a hammer, a screwdriver, and pliers.

2a. The dog looks to be feeling much better now so we don’t need to take it to the vet.
2b. The dog looks to be feeling much better now, so we don’t need to take it to the vet.

3a. Should Jason study mathematics or engineering?
3b. Should Jason study mathematics, or engineering?

4a. The new air conditioner does not use as much energy, nor does it require extra maintenance.
4b. The new air conditioner does not use as much energy. Nor, does it require extra maintenance.

Pop Quiz Answers

1b. Let’s go to the hardware store and buy a hammer, a screwdriver, and pliers.

2b. The dog looks to be feeling much better now, so we don’t need to take it to the vet.

3a. Should Jason study mathematics or engineering?

4a. The new air conditioner does not use as much energy, nor does it require extra maintenance.

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