In this post, we are going to look at the basics of conjunctions, its definition, meaning, examples words list, along with different types of conjunction, their functionality, and their suitable examples for you to have a clear understanding.

Conjunctions Definition, Meaning & Examples

Conjunctions Meaning

Believe it or not, conjunction plays a vital role in the context of English grammar. The conjunction is a small word that helps connect or join –

• clauses,
• words, and
• phrases together in a sentence.

They can also be used to coordinate words in a sentence.

Definition of Conjunction

There can be no doubt that conjunctions are very important words used in the English language. Basically, we use them every day, and without them, our conversation will not be complete. If we try to define this element, we can say that conjunction is a word that essentially joins parts of sentences, phrases, or other words together.

Conjunction Words Examples & List

Sometimes they can be used as single words or in pairs. Some examples of conjunctions are: and, but, or are. They are used by themselves; on the other hand, neither/nor, either/or are conjunction pairs.

Some conjunction words that we use every day like –

• “As”
• “but”,
• “If”
• “although”,
• “But”
• “while”
• “Fior”
• “And”
• “When”
• “Because”
• “Where”
• “But”
• “Yet”
• “So”
• “For”
• “Nor”
• “Just as”
• “As long as”
• “Until”
• “Unless”
• “Or”
• “Neither”
• “While”
• “So”
• “Since”
• “Not only”
• “Whether”
• “Yet”, etc.

Types of Conjunctions

As per English grammatical rules, there are three types of conjunctions which are,

• Coordinating Conjunctions,
• Subordinating Conjunctions,
• Correlative Conjunctions, respectively.

Coordinating conjunctions:

These are basically some single words that join similar words or phrases or elements.

Subordinating conjunctions:

These conjunctions can also join similar words, phrases, or elements but exist in pairs.

Correlative conjunctions:

Primarily, these are adverbs that are used as conjunctions. Now, we are going to look at all these different types of conjunctions in detail, along with their suitable examples.

Let’s learn Conjunction types one by one!

The Different Types of Conjunction

The conjunction is one of the eight parts of speech in English grammar, and it is used as a joiner for words, phrases, or clauses in a particular sentence. The way it links words or a group of words together forms a certain relationship, and the thoughts conveyed through the sentence also get connected.

Let’s look at the three different types of conjunction: the coordinating conjunctions, the subordinating conjunctions, and the correlative conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions  – Examples, List

What is Conjunction Coordinating?

The first one we have is the coordinating conjunction. This is perhaps the most common one among all the three types. So what’s the main function of coordinating conjunctions?

Well, they help to join words, phrases, and clauses together, which are more or less grammatically equal.

Apart from that, these conjunctions are often used in between the words or groups of words that it links together. 

But always remember that you cannot use them at the beginning or the end.

Conjunction Coordinating Examples

• Coffee and milkshake are my favorite drinks.

In this sentence mentioned above, ‘and’ is the conjunction since it links the two drinking items together.

Let’s look at another example:

• The thief was hiding in the outhouse or the attic.

Here, this example proves that the coordinating conjunctions can join together two (or more) phrases. In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction “or” links “in the outhouse” and “in the attic.”

• What the politicians say and what they actually do are completely different.

Here also, in this sentence, the same coordinating conjunction “and” is used to link clauses together instead of just single words.

How to Punctuate Coordinating Conjunctions?

Now, when you are joining two words, phrases, or dependent clauses together, you won’t have to add a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Like for example:

• Cricketers and footballers
• By the beach or on the hill
• What you see and what you get

Now, on the other hand, if you are linking more than two words, phrases, and dependent clauses together, you need to put a series of commas in between the distinct elements. Examples

• Spiders, snakes, and scorpions.
• In the bedroom, in the garage, or the garden.

Also, last but not the least, if you are joining together two independent clauses, you need to put a comma before placing the coordinating conjunction.

Coordinating Conjunctions Sentence Examples

• Suzanne fell asleep, so Alan just went home.
• I don’t really like a milkshake, but I can drink coffee any time.
• I told her to finish the work, for I was very sick.
• The bowl of chicken stew is hot and delicious.
• We can neither cure nor endure it.
• You may delay, but time will not.
• There were thirteen or fifteen pens in the box.
• Her advice was quite queer, yet I believe she’s right.
• As you make your tea, you must not wait on it.

Coordinating Conjunctions List

If you wish to easily recall all the different coordinating conjunctions that you can use, there is a trick for that. You just have to remember the word “FANBOYS,” which stands for:

• F = For
• A = And
• N = Nor
• B = But
• O = Or
• Y = Yet
• S = So

Subordinating Conjunction – Examples, List

What are Subordinating Conjunctions?

The next we have on the list is the subordinating conjunction. These are used to link two clauses together. Apart from being used to introduce a dependent clause, the subordinating conjunctions can also describe the dependent clause and independent clause relationship in the sentence.

Subordinating Conjunctions List

There are many subordinating conjunctions used in our daily life, let’s see the list of commonly used subordinating conjunctions –

• Before
• While
• As Soon As
• Although
• Because
• When
• Even If
• Until
• How
• No Matter How
• Whether
• Wherever
• As If
• While
• After
• Once
• If
• Provided
• In That
• Supposing
• In Case
• Though
• Unless
• So That
• Since
• As Far As
• Now That
• As

Now, let’s look at some of the examples with this type of conjunctions to have a better understanding.

Subordinating Conjunctions Sentences Examples

• It is so chilly outside, so I brought you some hot chocolate.
• Because it is so chilly outside, I brought you some hot chocolate.
• I have great/the greatest faith in his words, although I don’t agree with them.
• The camel is not so naïve as he is painted.
• Don’t shout so much before you are actually hurt.
• Once I’ve found somewhere to settle down, I’ll send you my address.
• They’re planning the trip for the next week, though I don’t know on which day precisely.
• We didn’t sleep till past midnight that day.

If you examine or analyze each of the sentences above, you can easily see that most of the subordinating conjunction is placed either at the beginning of the sentence or between the clauses that it links together.

Apart from that, you need to add a comma between the two clauses (independent clause and dependent clause) of the sentence.

Correlative Conjunction – Examples, List

What are Correlative Conjunctions?

Lastly, we have correlative conjunctions. These are simply pairs of conjunctions that are used to join identical sentence elements together.  These are unique ones and can help you express your thoughts much clearer. Let’s look at some of the commonly used correlative conjunctions.

Correlative Conjunctions List

There are many correlative conjunctions used in our daily life, let’s see the list of commonly used correlative conjunctions –

• Either… Or
• Neither… Nor
• Not Only… But Also
• Both… And
• Whether… Or
• So… As

Now, let’s look at some of the examples with this type of conjunctions to have a better understanding.

Correlative Conjunctions Sentences Examples

• Do you know that both my cousin brothers and my uncle are policemen?
• I can’t decide whether I’ll take a Channel Perfume or just but a Huge Boss bottle from the store.
• Both the pastries and the cake were completely disgusting.
• Either her brothers or she is invited to the get-together this Sunday.
• Neither he nor she is right.
• She is not only beautiful but also strikingly intelligent.
• We can’t decide whether to go for a red or white car.
• I hardly had time to have my lunch before he phoned me.

Check out worksheets of conjunction for practice.

We have got a basic idea about the types of conjunctions, now, have you heard about conjunctive adverbs? Or do you any idea about it or the relationships! 

Let’s get into it to get a basic concept!

This is another interesting grammatical element that is directly related to the conjunctions.  

What are Conjunctive Adverbs?

 Although it is not real conjunction, this kind of word functions as a conjunction in a sentence. That’s why it is important to know them. Some examples of conjunctive adverbs are:

• In Addition
• For Example
• However
• Therefore
• On The Contrary
• Hence
• In Fact
• Otherwise
• As A Result
• Indeed
• Still
• Thus
• On The Other Hand
• Furthermore
• Instead
• Incidentally
• After All
• Finally
• Likewise
• Meanwhile
• Consequently

Why Conjunction is Necessary?

So there you go. I believe, now, with the above discussion, you can now easily understand that conjunctions are very essential in English speech and writing. The main reason to use conjunction in English Grammar,

• They effectively improve the clarity of speech and the cohesion between the different parts of the text.
• It also enables you to construct long sentences without sounding awkward; this is one of the best uses of conjunctions.
• Although the concept of conjunction may seem too simple, you should definitely pay attention and learn all the rules of the punctuations properly.

You should always choose the appropriate conjunction and follow all the rules to avoid grammatical mistakes.

Final Thoughts

The more you practice, the better you will get at using a conjunction. So, whenever you read something, try to analyze the conjunction uses. Should you have any other queries regarding conjunction, their rules, uses, and examples, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.

Also, if you have any suggestions for our readers, do let us know. Either way, we shall indeed get back to you with the correct answers as soon as we can.

Till then, happy learning English grammar and conjunction.

Further Study