Conjunctions – A Complete & Clear Guide with Examples & illustrations

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are fundamental building blocks of English grammar, enabling us to connect words, phrases, and clauses seamlessly. Without them, our language would be reduced to simple, choppy sentences.

Imagine having to say, “I like tea. I like coffee. I don’t like sugar.”—it sounds disconnected and incomplete. With conjunctions, we can refine that idea into: “I like tea and coffee, but I don’t like sugar.”

In this article, we’ll explore different types of conjunctions, how they function, and provide examples and explanations along the way. Let’s dive in!

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are essential building blocks of language that help us connect words, phrases, or clauses, creating more complex and fluid sentences.

Imagine trying to communicate without them—you’d be limited to expressing each idea in short, choppy sentences, such as, “I like ice cream. I don’t like cake. I prefer fruit.”

Conjunctions let us combine these thoughts, such as, “I like ice cream, but I don’t like cake, so I prefer fruit.” The flow becomes smoother, and the relationships between the ideas become clearer.

How Do Conjunctions Work?

Conjunctions allow us to link various parts of a sentence, showing the relationship between ideas or actions. These linked elements can be words (nouns, verbs), phrases, or clauses.

For instance, consider the sentence: “Tom went to the store and bought some milk.” Here, the conjunction “and” connects two actions—going to the store and buying milk—showing that both actions are of equal importance.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three primary types of conjunctions, each with its specific role in connecting words or ideas. These are:

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

Let’s explore each type in detail.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions link words, phrases, or clauses that hold equal grammatical weight in a sentence.

The seven main coordinating conjunctions can be remembered using the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. These conjunctions allow you to create sentences where the linked parts are of equal importance.

Examples:

  • I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
    • The conjunction “but” connects two independent clauses, showing a contrast between wanting to walk and the rain starting.
  • You can have pizza or pasta for dinner.
    • Here, “or” offers two equally important choices for dinner.

Explanation:

Coordinating conjunctions help us create compound sentences where each part holds equal significance. In the first example, both wanting to walk and the fact that it rained are of equal importance.

In the second example, the person has an equal choice between pizza and pasta.

Key Tip: When two independent clauses are connected by a coordinating conjunction, a comma should be placed before the conjunction, as seen in the first example above.

2. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions always come in pairs and work together to link words or phrases that are of equal grammatical rank. Some common correlative conjunction pairs are either/or, neither/nor, both/and, and not only/but also. These conjunctions help in giving your sentence a balanced structure by emphasizing both parts equally.

Examples:

  • Either you finish your homework now, or you won’t be allowed to play later.
    • The correlative conjunction “either/or” presents two linked but contrasting options.
  • Not only is he a talented artist, but he is also an excellent musician.
    • The pair “not only/but also” emphasizes both qualities (artist and musician) equally.

Explanation:

Correlative conjunctions are especially useful when you want to compare or contrast two equally important options, as seen in the examples. They create balance within a sentence, ensuring that both linked elements are emphasized equally.

Key Tip: Make sure that the grammatical structure of the two linked elements is parallel. For example, if you are linking two verbs, both parts should contain verbs.

3. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect an independent clause (a complete thought) with a dependent clause (an incomplete thought).

These conjunctions indicate relationships such as cause and effect, time, contrast, and condition between the two clauses. Common subordinating conjunctions include because, although, since, until, and while.

Examples:

  • Because it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.
    • The conjunction “because” introduces a cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses.
  • Although she was tired, she stayed up to finish the report.
    • “Although” shows a contrast between being tired and staying up late.

Explanation:

Subordinating conjunctions make complex sentences by linking an incomplete thought (dependent clause) with a complete thought (independent clause).

These conjunctions help clarify relationships like cause and effect (“because”) or contrast (“although”).

Key Tip: When a subordinating conjunction starts the sentence (dependent clause comes first), use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. If the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed.

Punctuating Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

Correct punctuation is essential when using conjunctions, especially when they link clauses.

  • Coordinating Conjunctions: When a coordinating conjunction links two independent clauses, always place a comma before the conjunction.
    • Example: I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
  • Subordinating Conjunctions: When a subordinating conjunction introduces a sentence (dependent clause first), place a comma after the dependent clause.
    • Example: Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic.

However, when the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed:

  • Example: We canceled the picnic because it was raining.

Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

It’s a common myth that you should never start a sentence with a conjunction. In reality, beginning sentences with conjunctions like “and,” “but,” or “because” can add emphasis or improve sentence flow.

However, avoid overusing this technique as it can make your writing seem disjointed.

Examples:

  • And so, the journey began.
    • “And” is used here to emphasize the start of something important.
  • But I never gave up, even when things got tough.
    • “But” adds emphasis to the speaker’s determination.

Explanation:

While starting a sentence with a conjunction is perfectly acceptable in both informal and creative writing, it’s generally best to avoid it in formal or academic contexts, unless the conjunction serves a specific purpose.

The Importance of Conjunctions in Writing

Conjunctions play a vital role in enhancing clarity, fluidity, and cohesion in writing. Without conjunctions, we would struggle to express relationships between ideas, making our writing choppy and difficult to follow.

Example:

  • Without conjunctions: The sun set. We went home. We had dinner.
  • With conjunctions: After the sun set, we went home and had dinner.

The second version is not only shorter but also more fluid and natural.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of conjunctions is crucial for creating well-structured, coherent sentences that clearly communicate relationships between ideas.

Whether you’re joining equal elements with coordinating conjunctions, balancing your sentences with correlative conjunctions, or indicating cause, time, or contrast with subordinating conjunctions, conjunctions are key to making your writing polished and professional.

Questions people ask

Conjunctions are words that link words, phrases, or clauses together in a sentence. They serve the essential function of showing relationships between ideas, such as contrast, cause and effect, or choices. Without conjunctions, our speech and writing would be much more choppy and disconnected, as we would be limited to using shorter, simpler sentences. By using conjunctions, we can express complex thoughts, clarify relationships, and improve the flow of information.

For example:

  • Without conjunctions: I went to the store. I bought bread.
  • With conjunctions: I went to the store and bought bread.

Conjunctions are vital in both spoken and written language as they help make communication smoother and clearer.

There are three primary types of conjunctions, each with its own role:

  • Coordinating Conjunctions: These conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. The common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (which can be remembered by the acronym FANBOYS). For example:
    • I wanted to go to the party, but I was too tired. (The two clauses are equal.)
  • Correlative Conjunctions: These are pairs of conjunctions that work together to join related words or phrases. Examples include either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also. For example:
    • Either you finish your homework, or you will not be allowed to play outside.
  • Subordinating Conjunctions: These conjunctions introduce a dependent clause and show a relationship between the dependent and independent clauses. Examples include because, although, since, unless, if, while, when. For example:
    • She stayed home because she wasn’t feeling well. (The clause “because she wasn’t feeling well” explains the reason for the action.)

Understanding the type of conjunction you need helps you properly link ideas and create more cohesive sentences.

Coordinating conjunctions are used to link words, phrases, or independent clauses that are of equal grammatical importance. When linking independent clauses (complete thoughts that can stand alone as sentences), a comma is typically placed before the conjunction.

For example:

  • I wanted to go out for a walk, but it started raining. (Here, two independent clauses are connected with the coordinating conjunction “but,” and a comma is placed before “but.”)

If you’re joining just two words or phrases, no comma is necessary:

  • She bought apples and oranges. (Two words are connected without a comma.)

Coordinating conjunctions also help show the relationship between ideas:

  • I studied hard, so I passed the exam. (“So” shows a cause-and-effect relationship.)

Yes, it is acceptable to start a sentence with a conjunction in both formal and informal writing, though it should be done thoughtfully. Starting a sentence with a conjunction can add emphasis or help the sentence flow more smoothly from the previous one. Common conjunctions that often start sentences are and, but, and because.

For example:

  • I was exhausted. But I knew I had to finish the project.
  • The weather was terrible. And it only got worse as the day went on.

However, it’s important not to overuse this technique, especially in academic writing. While starting a sentence with a conjunction can add variety and flow, too many conjunctions at the beginning of sentences can make writing sound informal or disjointed.

For instance:

  • Because I had studied hard, I felt confident during the exam.
  • Although it was raining, we decided to go hiking.

Starting sentences with conjunctions is perfectly acceptable as long as it enhances clarity and flow rather than causing confusion.

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses (which cannot stand alone as complete sentences) and connect them to independent clauses (which can stand alone). The punctuation rules for subordinating conjunctions depend on where the dependent clause appears in the sentence.

  • If the dependent clause comes first, you should use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. For example:
    • Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic. In this sentence, the dependent clause “Because it was raining” explains why the action in the independent clause occurred, and a comma is placed after the dependent clause.
  • If the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed. For example:
    • We canceled the picnic because it was raining. Here, the independent clause “We canceled the picnic” comes first, and no comma is necessary before “because.”

Some other examples include:

  • If you want to pass the exam, you need to study every day.
  • He left early since he had another appointment.
  • Although she was nervous, she gave a great presentation.

The key is understanding the order of the clauses and applying the appropriate punctuation based on that structure.

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