Conjunctions

Without conjunctions, you’d be forced to express every complex idea in a series of short, simplistic sentences: I like cooking. I like eating. I don’t like washing dishes afterward.

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, or clauses together.

I like cooking and eating, but I don’t like washing dishes afterward. Sophie is clearly exhausted, yet she insists on dancing till dawn.

Conjunctions allow you to form complex, elegant sentences and avoid the choppiness of multiple short sentences. Make sure that the phrases joined by conjunctions are parallel (share the same structure).

I work quickly and careful.

I work quickly and carefully.

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1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence. The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can remember them by using the mnemonic device FANBOYS.

I’d like pizza or a salad for lunch. We needed a place to concentrate, so we packed up our things and went to the library. Jesse didn’t have much money, but she got by.

Notice the use of the comma when a coordinating conjunction is joining two independent clauses.

2. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Some examples are either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.

Not only am I finished studying for English, but I’m also finished writing my history essay. I am finished with both my English essay and my history essay.

3. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. A subordinating conjunction can signal a cause-and-effect relationship, a contrast, or some other kind of relationship between the clauses.

Common subordinating conjunctions are because, since, as, although, though, while, and whereas. Sometimes an adverb, such as until, after, or before can function as a conjunction.

I can stay out until the clock strikes twelve.

Here, the adverb until functions as a coordinating conjunction to connect two ideas: I can stay out (the independent clause) and the clock strikes twelve (the dependent clause). The independent clause could stand alone as a sentence; the dependent clause depends on the independent clause to make sense.

The subordinating conjunction doesn’t need to go in the middle of the sentence. It has to be part of the dependent clause, but the dependent clause can come before the independent clause.

Before he leaves, make sure his room is clean.

If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma before the independent clause.

I drank a glass of water because I was thirsty. Because I was thirsty, I drank a glass of water.

Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

Many of us were taught in school that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction, but that rule is a myth. As mentioned above, a subordinating conjunction can begin a sentence if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause. It’s also correct to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Often, it’s a good way to add emphasis. Beginning too many sentences with conjunctions will cause the device to lose its force, however, so use this technique sparingly.

Have a safe trip. And don’t forget to call when you get home. Gertie flung open the door. But there was no one on the other side.

List of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so=FANBOYS

Correlative Conjunctions

both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, whether/or

Some Subordinating Conjunctions

after, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, by the time, even if, even though, if, in order that, in case, in the event that, lest , now that, once, only, only if, provided that, since, so, supposing, that, than, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether or not, while.

Use of Conjunctions in Sentences

The most used subordinating conjunctions are:

After – later than the time that : later than when.
Example: “Call me after you arrive at work”

Although – despite the fact that : used to introduce a fact that makes another fact unusual or surprising.
Example: “Although she was tired, she couldn’t sleep”

As – used to introduce a statement which indicates that something being mentioned was known, expected, etc.
Example: “As we explained last class, coordinating conjunctions are sentence connectors”

Because – for the reason that.
Example: “I painted the house because it was a horrible colour”

Before – earlier than the time that : earlier than when.
Example: “Come and visit me before you leave”

How – in what manner or way.
Example: “Let me show you how to knit”

If -used to talk about the result or effect of something that may happen or be true.
Example: “It would be fantastic if you could come to the party”

Once – at the moment when : as soon as.
Example: “Once you’ve learnt how to cycle, it’s very easy”

Since – used to introduce a statement that explains the reason for another statement.
Example: “Since you’ve studied so well, you can go outside and play”

Than – used to introduce the second or last of two or more things or people that are being compared — used with the comparative form of an adjective or adverb.
Example: “My sister is older than I am”

That – used to introduce a clause that states a reason or purpose.
Example: “Olivia is so happy that it’s summer again”

When – at or during the time that something happened.
Example: “A teacher is good when he inspires his students”

Where – at or in the place that something happened.
Example: “We went to the bar where there most shade”

While – during the time that something happened”
Example: “While we were in Paris, it snowed”

"While I was walking in the garden, I saw a snake. "

Until – up to the time or point that something happened”
Example: “We stayed up talking until the sun came up”

Use of the correlative Conjunction.

• either/or - I want either the cheesecake or the chocolate cake.
• both/and - We'll have both the cheesecake and the chocolate cake.
• whether/or - I didn't know whether you'd want the cheesecake or the chocolate cake, so I got both.
• neither/nor - Oh, you want neither the cheesecake nor the chocolate cake? No problem.
• not only/but also - I'll eat them both - not only the cheesecake but also the chocolate cake.
• not/but - I see you're in the mood not for desserts but appetizers. I'll help you with those, too.

Here are some more useful pairs of correlative conjunctions:

• as/as - Bowling isn't as fun as skeet shooting.
• such/that - Such was the nature of their volatile relationship that they never would have made it even if they'd wanted to.
• scarcely/when - I had scarcely walked in the door when I got an urgent call and had to run right back out again.
• as many/as - There are as many curtains as there are windows.
• no sooner/than - I'd no sooner lie to you than strangle a puppy.
• rather/than - She'd rather play the drums than sing.

• Both Jon and Lauren enjoyed the movie. (subjects)
• Jon enjoyed both the movie and the company. (objects)

"As/as" compares nouns using an adjective or an adverb:

• Peter is as tall as Jeff.
• A lion can't run as fast as a cheetah.

"Not only/but also" can connect nouns or entire clauses:

• I'm not only going to the concert, but also meeting the band backstage!
• Not only will I see your $10, but also raise you $20

More Topics
Noun Details
Noun in apposition
Apostrophes
Pronoun Details
Pronoun Reference
Adjective details
Kinds of Verb
Adverbs
Prepositions
Preposition Exercise
Conjunctions
Interjections
The Tense Markers
Subject Verb- Agreements
Voice Change
The Right Forms-of Verbs
Usages of Articles
Article Exercises
Prefix & Suffix
Tag Questions
Absolute Construction
Transformation of Sentences
Affirmative to Negative
Assertive to Interrogative
Assertive to Exclematory
Complex to Simple
Complex to Compound
Compound to Simple