An Easy Guide to Conjunctions in English: Definition and Examples

While learning English grammar, you encounter conjunctions, like but I don’t like cocking. Without conjunctions, you’d need to convey every complex idea through brief, simple sentences: I enjoy cooking. I relish eating. I dislike washing dishes afterward.  This article explores the purpose of conjunctions, their definition, and examples to enhance understanding.

What Are Conjunctions?

What is a conjunction: Definition and Example

A conjunction typically is a word used to link phrases or clauses, thoughts, and ideas within a sentence. Without conjunctions, expressing thoughts and ideas becomes challenging. Sentences should be simple and concise, lacking the flow that conjunctions provide. Consider this example:

With Conjuncition

“The girl is cute and pretty. She has black curly hair with blue eyes. She is wearing a black jacket over a white t-shirt.”

Without conjunction

“The girl is cute. The girl is pretty. She has blue eyes. Also, She has blonde hair. She has a black jacket.” It would have a less appealing and impractical sound.

Conjunctions enable the creation of complex, elegant sentences, avoiding the choppiness of multiple short ones. Ensure joined phrases are parallel in structure.

Consistency matters in conjunctions:

“He drives quickly and gracefully.” (correct)
“He drives quickly and graceful.” (incorrect)

Why Conjunctions Are Important?

In English grammar, a conjunction is an important part of speech because it connects words, phrases, or clauses. Examples:

• The museum is closed today, yet it attracts many visitors on weekends.
• She can either study at home or join the group session at the library.

Why Use a Conjunction to Start a Sentence

• A subordinating conjunction can start a sentence if a comma separates the clauses.
• Coordinating conjunctions can begin sentences, but should be used sparingly.
• Conjunctions link thoughts, preventing repetitive and choppy sentences.
• They enhance flow in speech and writing.

What is the difference between Conjunctions and Transitions

Conjunctions:

• Compare and contrast within a sentence.
• Introduce additional information and point to examples.
• Show order, sequence, and relationships between clauses.
• Three types: subordinating, coordinating, and correlative.
• Connect sentence parts.

Transitions:

Function like conjunctions but connect sentences and paragraphs.

Types of Conjunctions

Learn a helpful list of conjunctions in English categorized by types, with example sentences. Explore different forms of English grammar by examining each type in more detail.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions
2. Correlative Conjunctions
3. Subordinating Conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunctions with Examples

The coordinating conjunction joins phrases, clauses, or words with equal grammatical rank. There are many coordinating conjunctions in English grammar, so common ones include for, not, and, but, yet, so, and nor.

Examples:

• I’d like a pizza or a pasta for dinner.
• She sought a quiet place, so she went to the library.
• My parents faced financial challenges, but they persevered.

Note: When joining independent clauses, use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

Key Facts: Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words or phrases with the same grammatical purpose. There are seven main coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS.

• F: for – The team struggled, for the coach had made significant changes to the lineup.
• A: and – In this project, I will conduct interviews, analyze data, and present findings.
• N: nor – The machine did not start, nor did the technician find the issue.
• B: but – The budget is limited, but we can still achieve our goals with careful planning.
• O: or – After the presentation, participants can ask questions or submit feedback.
• Y: yet – The weather was hot, yet the participants completed the marathon.
• S: so – I have limited time, so I need to prioritize tasks for the project.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions with Examples

Subordinating conjunctions connect dependent and independent clauses, indicating cause and effect, contrast, or other relationships. Common examples include after, until, before, since, because, as, though, although, whereas, and while.

Some are also adverbs, like in the sentence ‘Cinderella could stay at the ball until the clock struck midnight.’ The subordinating conjunction links the thoughts, making the dependent clause meaningful.

Remember, when using a subordinating conjunction, it must become part of the dependent clause, whether before or after the independent clause. Examples:

• Before she leaves, ask her to say goodbye.
• Request her to bid farewell before departing.

Note: When the dependent clause starts the sentence, use a comma to separate the clauses.

List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions
Than	Rather than	Whether
As much as	Whereas	That
Whatever	Which	Whichever
After	As soon as	As long as
Before	By the time	Now that
Once	Since	Till
Until	When	Whenever
While	Though	Although
Even though	Who	Whoever
Whom	Whomever	Whose
Where	Wherever	If
Only if	Unless	Provided that
Assuming that	Even if	In case (that)
Lest	How	As though
As if	Because	Since
So that	In order (that)	That

3. Correlative Conjunction with Examples

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to relate one sentence to another. The golden rule is equality in a grammatical sense. For example, when we use the correlative conjunction with both/and if a noun follows both, another should follow and.

Examples:

Either/or

• Example: You can either join us or stay home.

Neither/nor

• Example: Neither the cat nor the dog is outside.

Not only/but also

• Example: She is not only smart but also talented.

Both/and

• Example: Both the sun and the moon are visible.

Not/but

• Example: It’s not cold but hot outside.

Whether/or

• Example: I’m unsure whether he will come or not.

Just as/so

• Example: Just as the flower blooms, so does the tree.

The/the

• Example: The more, the merrier.

As/as

• Example: She is as tall as her brother.

As much/as

• Example: She has as much courage as determination.

No sooner/than

• Example: No sooner did he leave than it started raining.

Rather/than

• Example: I would eat pizza rather than sushi.

Correlative conjunctions are a combination of a coordinating conjunction paired with an adjective or adverb.

Common Mistakes with Conjunctions

Mastering conjunction usage improves sentence variety and complexity. Errors in conjunctions make your text cumbersome and challenging to read, diminishing clarity and reader trust. Avoid the following missteps for a confident and impactful article:

Combining Multiple Conjunctions to Link Two Clauses

Using multiple conjunctions to link two clauses is incorrect in English. Employing just one conjunction suffices to connect statements with dual clauses.

Incorrect: After I finished work, then I went to the gym.
Correct: After I finished work, I went to the gym.

The second sentence is concise, flows smoothly, and maintains clear meaning. In contrast, the first sentence is cumbersome and sounds awkward when read aloud.

Auxiliary verbs

• When an auxiliary verb starts a sentence, the standard word order changes.
• The auxiliary verb precedes the subject in this structure.
• Specific verbs adhere to the standard grammatical structure and follow the subject.
• Auxiliary verbs like “unless” cannot combine with another negative in the same clause.

Incorrect: Unless you do not want to attend the event, you won’t miss anything.
Correct: Unless you want to miss anything, you will attend the event.

You cannot replace not with unless in a sentence clause because it suggests a double negative, because unless implies if…not.

Splitting a subordinate conjunction from the main clause

• Mistakenly separating a dependent clause from an independent one is common.
• Issues arise when a sentence begins with a subordinate conjunction like “because.”
• New writers, fearing confusion, may avoid starting sentences with “because.”
• Starting a sentence with “because” is acceptable, but it requires an attached independent clause.

Incorrect: Because I enjoy the outdoors.
Correct: Because I enjoy the outdoors, I often go hiking on weekends.

Incorrect relative pronouns usage

Adding a comma between dependent and independent clauses enhances readability.

• Relative pronouns can function like conjunctions to connect clauses.
• “That” is a relative pronoun referring to the object or subject of the following verb.
• Avoid using “that” to replace “when” or “where” in a sentence.
• “That” becomes redundant when there is an existing subject or object.
• Use “that” to replace “which” or “whom” but not “when” and “where.”
• Misusing relative pronouns can lead to changes in meaning or awkward sentences.

Incorrect: Impressive of you to presume that I understand.
Correct: Impressive of you to presume how I understand.

Not only … but also

• Not only … but also is a correlative conjunction.
• Correlative conjunctions require balanced and parallel language.
• Incorrect usage of correlative conjunctions can affect sentence flow.
• Commas with correlative conjunctions are optional for emphasis.
• Commas may be used before the second part of the conjunction for stylistic emphasis.

Incorrect: The team not only won the championship but also celebrated all night.
Correct: The team not only won the championship but also celebrated all night.

Study More: List of Conjunctions