Introduction
Every time you connect two ideas, contrast two thoughts, or explain a cause and effect in a sentence, you are using a conjunction. Conjunctions are the glue of the English language — they join words, phrases, and clauses together to create sentences that flow naturally and communicate complex ideas clearly.
Without conjunctions, writing becomes choppy and disconnected:
- She was tired. She kept working. The deadline was close.
With conjunctions:
- She was tired but she kept working because the deadline was close.
Same information — completely different reading experience.
What Is a Conjunction?
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. It shows the relationship between the ideas being joined — whether they are similar, contrasting, causal, conditional, or sequential.
- She likes tea and coffee. (joins two words)
- He studied hard but he still failed. (joins two clauses)
- She left early because she was unwell. (shows cause and effect)
- You can call or send a message. (shows choice)
Types of Conjunctions
1. Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions join two words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank. There are only seven of them, easily remembered with the acronym FANBOYS.
F — For
A — And
N — Nor
B — But
O — Or
Y — Yet
S — So
- She was hungry and tired after the long journey.
- He tried his best but it was not enough.
- You can stay or leave — the choice is yours.
- She did not call nor did she send a message.
- He was exhausted, yet he refused to stop.
- It was raining, so they cancelled the match.
- He left early, for he had a long way to travel.
Key rule: When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, place a comma before it.
- She wanted to come, but she was too busy. ✓
- She wanted to come but she was too busy. ✗ (missing comma)
2. Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to an independent clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone — it needs the independent clause to complete its meaning. Subordinating conjunctions show relationships of time, cause, condition, contrast, and purpose.
Time: when, while, before, after, since, until, as soon as, once, whenever
Cause and effect: because, since, as, now that
Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as, even if
Contrast: although, even though, though, whereas, while
Purpose: so that, in order that
Comparison: than, as
Examples:
- She left before the meeting ended. (time)
- He failed because he did not prepare. (cause)
- If you study hard, you will pass. (condition)
- Although it was raining, they continued playing. (contrast)
- She woke up early so that she would not miss the bus. (purpose)
- He is taller than his father. (comparison)
Key rule: When the dependent clause comes first, place a comma after it.
- Because she was tired, she went to bed early. ✓
- She went to bed early because she was tired. (no comma needed)
3. Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs. They connect two equal grammatical elements and always appear together in a sentence.
Common correlative conjunctions:
- both...and
- either...or
- neither...nor
- not only...but also
- whether...or
- as...as
- no sooner...than
- hardly...when
- such...that
- so...that
Examples:
- Both the teacher and the students were excited.
- You can have either tea or coffee.
- Neither the principal nor the teachers knew about it.
- She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
- I do not know whether to laugh or cry.
- He ran as fast as he could.
- No sooner had she left than it started raining.
- She was so tired that she fell asleep immediately.
Key rule: The grammatical structure after each part of the pair must be parallel — the same form of word or phrase must follow both parts.
- ✓ She is not only kind but also generous.
- ✗ She not only is kind but also has generosity. (not parallel)
4. Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs function like conjunctions by connecting two independent clauses, but they also modify the second clause like an adverb. They are stronger and more formal than coordinating conjunctions.
Common conjunctive adverbs: however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, consequently, meanwhile, otherwise, instead, hence, thus, likewise, similarly, finally, besides
- She studied hard; however, she did not pass.
- He missed the bus; therefore, he was late.
- The food was cold; nevertheless, they ate it.
- She finished her work; moreover, she helped others.
- You must leave now; otherwise, you will miss the train.
Key rule: A conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma when connecting two independent clauses.
- She was tired; however, she kept working. ✓
- She was tired, however she kept working. ✗
Coordinating vs Subordinating Conjunctions
This is one of the most tested distinctions in grammar. Here is a quick comparison:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
① Using and to start every sentence in writing — while acceptable in speech, it weakens written style. Use it sparingly for effect.
② Confusing but and yet — both show contrast, but yet carries a stronger sense of surprise or unexpectedness.
- He trained for months but lost. (simple contrast)
- He trained for months yet lost. (surprising contrast)
③ Confusing since and because — both can show cause, but since is used when the reason is already known; because introduces new information.
- Since you are here, let us begin. (reason already known)
- She left because she was unwell. (new information)
④ Breaking parallel structure with correlative conjunctions.
- ✗ She not only sings but also is a dancer.
- ✓ She not only sings but also dances.
⑤ Confusing although and because — although shows contrast; because shows cause.
- ✗ Although she studied, she passed. (implies she passed despite studying — illogical)
- ✓ Because she studied, she passed.
- ✓ Although she was tired, she studied.
⑥ Using a comma instead of a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb.
- ✗ She was tired, however she kept going.
- ✓ She was tired; however, she kept going.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conjunctions
Q1. What is the difference between a coordinating and a subordinating conjunction?
A coordinating conjunction joins two clauses of equal rank — both clauses can stand alone as complete sentences. A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to an independent clause — the dependent clause cannot stand alone and relies on the main clause for its meaning.
- She studied and she passed. (coordinating — both clauses are independent)
- She passed because she studied. (subordinating — "because she studied" cannot stand alone)
Q2. Can a sentence begin with a conjunction?
In formal grammar, starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction like and, but, or so was traditionally discouraged. In modern English, however, it is widely accepted — even in formal writing — as long as it is used deliberately and sparingly for emphasis or effect.
- But that is not the whole story.
- And yet, nobody said a word.
Subordinating conjunctions, on the other hand, have always been acceptable at the start of a sentence when the dependent clause comes first.
- Although she was tired, she kept working.
Q3. What is the difference between "although," "though," and "even though"?
All three show contrast but differ in strength and formality. Although is the most formal. Though is more informal and can also appear at the end of a sentence. Even though is the strongest — it emphasises that the contrast is surprising or unexpected.
- Although it was cold, she wore a thin dress. (formal)
- It was cold, she wore a thin dress, though. (informal, end position)
- Even though she knew the risks, she continued. (strong emphasis)
Q4. What is the difference between "so" and "so that"?
So as a coordinating conjunction shows a result or consequence. So that as a subordinating conjunction shows purpose or intention.
- It was raining, so we stayed indoors. (result — the rain caused us to stay)
- We stayed indoors so that we would not get wet. (purpose — we intended to avoid getting wet)
Q5. What is the difference between "while" and "whereas"?
Both show contrast between two ideas but are used slightly differently. While can show either simultaneous time or contrast. Whereas is used purely to show contrast or opposition between two facts, and is more formal.
- While she prefers tea, her sister prefers coffee. (contrast)
- She cooked while he cleaned the house. (simultaneous actions — time)
- She is very outgoing, whereas her brother is shy. (contrast — formal)
Q6. How do correlative conjunctions affect subject-verb agreement?
When correlative conjunctions connect two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject that is closer to it. This is called the proximity rule.
- Neither the teacher nor the students were ready. (verb agrees with "students" — plural)
- Neither the students nor the teacher was ready. (verb agrees with "teacher" — singular)
- Either she or her brothers are coming. (verb agrees with "brothers" — plural)
Q7. What is a conjunctive adverb and how is it different from a conjunction?
A conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses like a conjunction but also modifies the second clause like an adverb. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs are not true conjunctions — they cannot grammatically join two clauses on their own. They must be preceded by a semicolon or used after a full stop to start a new sentence.
- She was tired; however, she kept working. ✓ (semicolon before, comma after)
- She was tired, however she kept working. ✗ (comma before is a comma splice)
- She was tired. However, she kept working. ✓ (new sentence)
