Conjunctions are essential in the English language. They are words that link other words, phrases, or clauses together, allowing you to form complex, elegant sentences and avoid the choppiness of multiple short sentences. Conjunctions serve as linguistic bridges, connecting various elements in your sentences. Let's explore how conjunctions work and the different types you'll encounter.

​

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are small words that join words, phrases, or clauses to create meaningful sentences. They serve as bridges, helping your ideas connect logically. There are three main types of conjunctions:

​

1. Coordinating Conjunctions: These are the most common conjunctions, connecting words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (remember the acronym FANBOYS).

   • Example: I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions: These conjunctions introduce dependent clauses (subordinate clauses) that can't stand alone as complete sentences. They indicate relationships like cause and effect, time, and condition.

   • Example: Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.

3. Correlative Conjunctions: These conjunctions work in pairs to join words or phrases with equal grammatical weight.

   • Example: Neither the cat nor the dog made a sound.

​

Why Use Conjunctions?

Conjunctions serve several important purposes in writing and communication:

1. Connection: Conjunctions help connect related ideas and show how they relate to each other. This makes your writing more coherent and easier to follow.

   • Example: I enjoy reading books and watching movies.

2. Complex Sentences: They allow you to create complex sentences by joining independent and dependent clauses, providing more information in a single sentence.

   • Example: Although I like rainy days, I prefer sunny weather.

3. Variety: Using different conjunctions adds variety to your writing, making it more interesting and engaging.

   • Example: She studied diligently, yet her grades didn't improve.

​

How do conjunctions work?

Conjunctions act as connectors in sentences, joining different parts to create meaning. Without conjunctions, you'd be forced to express every complex idea in a series of short, simplistic sentences.

 

For example:

• I like cooking. I like eating. I don't like washing dishes afterward.

​

Conjunctions come to the rescue by linking ideas, making your communication smoother and more sophisticated.

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 using the acronym FANBOYS.

​

For example:

• 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.

​

Note that when a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, use a comma to separate them.

Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions work in pairs, emphasizing the connection between two elements. Some examples include either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.

​

For example:

• 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.

​

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions play a crucial role in connecting independent and dependent clauses. These conjunctions can signal various relationships between the clauses, such as cause-and-effect or contrast. Common subordinating conjunctions include because, since, as, although, though, while, and whereas. Sometimes, adverbs like until, after, or before can also function as conjunctions.

​

For example:

• I can stay out until the clock strikes twelve. (Here, "until" functions as a subordinating conjunction.)

• Before he leaves, make sure his room is clean. (The dependent clause precedes the independent clause, so we use a comma.)

​

It's important to note that it's a common myth that starting a sentence with a conjunction is incorrect. In fact, subordinating conjunctions can begin a sentence if the dependent clause precedes the independent clause. Beginning sentences with coordinating conjunctions is also acceptable, but it should be done sparingly to maintain emphasis.

​

List of Conjunctions

Here's a list of some common conjunctions:

• Coordinating Conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

• Correlative Conjunctions: both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but, whether/or

• 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.

​

Practice Using Conjunctions

To become proficient with conjunctions, practice writing sentences using each type:

1. Write five sentences using coordinating conjunctions.

2. Create five complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions.

3. Form five sentences using correlative conjunctions.

​

In conclusion, conjunctions play a vital role in connecting and enhancing sentences. By understanding how different types of conjunctions work, you can construct more coherent and expressive sentences in your writing and communication.