What are the Conjunctions? Definition and Examples

by Taaleem Online | Apr 20, 2024 | Parts of Speech, Conjunctions

Conjunctions are an important part of speech. They join words, phrases, and clauses and help us make beautiful sentences.

In this article, you will learn what are the conjunctions, why we use them, types of conjunctions, and examples sentences using conjunctions.

Table of Contents

What are conjunctions?

Conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, and clauses in the sentence. There are different conjunctions words used in English, but some of them are most commonly used.

How do Conjunctions Work?

Conjunctions link other words, phrases, or clauses together. Their role in the sentence is to create beautiful sentences and help us to avoid repetition of words in the sentence. See the following examples;

I went to the store but did not buy anything.
I love to play cricket but don’t know how to play it.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three types of conjunctions used in English.

Coordinating conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are words used to connect grammatically equal words, phrases, and independent clauses. When a coordinate conjunction joins two independent clauses, we place a comma between the 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.

The most common coordinating conjunctions are;

for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so

Look at the following examples;

I want water or a cold drink.
She spends a lot of time in the library because she is taking her exam in July.
They work hard because they need money.

When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, we place a comma before the conjunction.

Examples:

I need money, so I applied for a job.
She ordered pizza for us, but I was not hungry.
She finished her work, so she left early.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinate conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. Mostly, these conjunctions show relationships between the clauses, and that relationship could be a contrasting relationship or a cause-and-effect relationship.

Common subordinating conjunctions

Common subordinating conjunctions are;

as
since
while
whereas
though
although

Example Sentences of Subordinating Conjunctions

She works hard because she wants to take care of her family.
They live here because they love to stay in the neighborhood.
I water the plants because they are dry.
I cut the tree because it was leaning towards the house.
I can stay up until 1 a.m.
I finish the work before going home.

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

Before he sleeps, he drinks a glass of milk.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together in the sentence. Some examples of correlative conjunctions are:

either/or
neither/nor
not only/but also

Example Sentences

You either study or work.
He neither works nor studies.
They not only stay at home but also work from.
He not only works but also goes to school.
I am not only hungry but also thirsty.

How To Use Conjunctions

As mentioned earlier, conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, or clauses. So they can be placed in the sentence and at the beginning of the sentence.

Mostly, we use a conjunction in the middle of the sentence.

He is learning how to read and write.
He stays home and works remotely.
She keeps studying so she can pass the exam.
He stays up until he gets tired and feels sleepy.

However, conjunctions can also be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

Before he leaves, tell him to start work early tomorrow.
Because he was thirsty, he drank a glass of water.
Because she was hungry, she ordered pizza instead of cooking at home.
As mentioned earlier, he is an honest person.

She opened the door. But there was no one outside.
She wanted the keep the cat. But the cat jumped outside and was gone.
He visited his home. And he had a good time with his family.

List of Conjunctions

Below is the list of conjunctions that are most commonly used in English.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjuntions

after
although
as
as if
as long as
as much as
as soon as
as thought
becue
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
unles
until
when
whenever
whereas
whereever
whether or not
while

Correlative Conjunctions

both/and
either/or
neither/no
not only/but
whether/or

Final Thoughts on Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that help us to join words, phrases, and clauses. There are three types of conjunctions: coordinate, subordinate, and correlative.

Conjunctions are mostly placed in the sentence but can also appear at the start of the stence. When a sentence starts with a dependent clause, put a comma before the independent cluase.

Conjunctions FAQs

What are conjunctions in English?

Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, and clauses. Sometimes they are also used to link sentences in the paragraph.

What are some examples of conjunctions?

The examples of conjunctions are; for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

What are types of conjunctions?

Conjunctions are divided into three types:

Coordinating
Subordinate
Correlative

What purpose do conjunctions serve?

Conjunctions allow us to connect words, sentences, clauses, and phrases to make complex sentences and convey our thoughts more efficiently.

I hope this article helped you learn what are conjunction in English grammar, their types, and how to use them correctly in English communication.

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