Conjunction: Different Types of Conjunctions | Useful Rules

Conjunctions are an essential part of the English language. They are words that connect phrases, clauses, or sentences, making them an important tool for clear and concise communication. Without conjunctions, sentences would be choppy and difficult to understand.

Understanding the different types of conjunctions and how to use them properly is crucial for effective writing and communication. In this article, we will explore the different types of conjunctions, provide examples of their usage, and offer tips on how to use them effectively in your writing. By the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of conjunctions and be able to use them with confidence in your writing.

Contents

What Is a Conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins two or more words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. It is an essential part of English grammar, and it plays a crucial role in making your writing more coherent and readable.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal, while subordinating conjunctions connect a subordinate clause to a main clause. Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect words, phrases, or clauses.

Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction is used to link two independent clauses together.

Below are the seven coordinating conjunctions:

An acronym used to remember the seven is FANBOYS.

Here are some examples of coordinating conjunctions:

For: I studied hard for the exam, but I still didn’t do well.
And: I like to read books and watch movies.
Nor: Neither John nor Jane wants to go to the party.
But: I want to go to the beach, but it’s raining.
Or: Do you want coffee or tea?
Yet: I haven’t finished my work yet.

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction is used to link a dependent clause to an independent clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence, so the subordinating conjunction is essential for linking the two components together into a grammatically correct sentence.

Below are some examples of subordinating conjunctions:

After
As far as
Since
Although
That
If
Because
In order
Unless
Even though
Whenever
While
Before
After
Whether
Until
Lest
Provided
Though
As long as
Between

Here are some examples:

Although: Although it was raining, we still went for a walk.
Because: I went to bed early because I was tired.
If: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
Since: Since it’s your birthday, let’s celebrate.
Unless: You won’t pass the exam unless you study hard.
Until: I will wait here until you come back.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to join words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance in a sentence. They are also known as correlators. The most common correlative conjunctions are:

Here are some examples:

Either…or: You can either go to the beach or stay at home.
Neither…nor: Neither John nor Jane wants to go to the party.
Both…and: I like both coffee and tea.
Not only…but also: She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

Conjunctions vs. Transition Words

Transition words are used to connect two sentences or paragraphs, so they give sentences a broader flair than conjunction words do. You can also use transition words to literally transition the tone of the ideas you are connecting, typically by connecting another sentence or paragraph to oppose the former part of the idea, or to place emphasis on a phrase.

Common transition words include, however, furthermore, consequently, nonetheless, following, subsequently, indeed, whereas and in addition. Where the conjunction brings two clauses together to form a longer sentence, transition words introduce a change by addition, emphasis, contrast, or order, changing the tone of the sentence by connecting contrasting or more informative phrases.

Conjunction: I went to town and bought a cup of coffee.
Transition: I went to town and bought a cup of coffee. Subsequently, I went home to drink it.

Conjunction: We cooked chicken, potatoes, and vegetables for dinner.
Transition: We cooked chicken, potatoes, and vegetables for dinner; however, we burned the chicken in the oven.

Conjunction: It was raining all day, yet I still took the dog for a walk.
Transition: It was raining all day, yet I still took the dog for a walk. Consequently, I got very wet and later came down with a cold.

Functions of Conjunctions

Linking Ideas

One of the primary functions of conjunctions is to link ideas. Conjunctions can be used to connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses to create a more complex sentence. For example, the conjunction “and” can be used to link two independent clauses, as in “I went to the store, and I bought some milk.”

Conjunctions can also be used to link phrases, as in “She is both smart and funny.” In this example, the conjunction “and” links the two adjectives “smart” and “funny” to describe the subject “she.”

Expressing Relationships

Conjunctions can also be used to express relationships between words, phrases, or clauses. For example, the conjunction “because” indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, as in “I stayed home because I was sick.”

Other conjunctions, such as “although” and “however,” indicate a contrast or contradiction, as in “Although it was raining, I went for a walk.”

Here is a table of some common conjunctions and their functions:

Conjunction	Function
And	Addition
But	Contrast
Or	Alternative
Because	Cause and effect
Although	Contrast
However	Contrast

Common Mistakes with Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that connect different parts of a sentence, such as clauses or phrases. They are essential in constructing sentences that are grammatically correct and coherent. However, there are common mistakes with conjunctions that people make, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some of the common mistakes with conjunctions that you should avoid:

Using too many conjunctions

One of the most common mistakes with conjunctions is using too many of them in a sentence. This can make the sentence confusing and difficult to understand. You should only use one conjunction to connect two clauses or phrases. For example, instead of saying “I went to the store and I bought some milk and I also bought some bread,” you should say “I went to the store and bought some milk and bread.”

Using the wrong conjunction

Another common mistake with conjunctions is using the wrong one. There are different types of conjunctions, such as coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions, and they are used in different ways. For example, coordinating conjunctions are used to connect two independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. Using the wrong conjunction can change the meaning of the sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.

Using conjunctions with negative words

When using negative words like “never” or “hardly,” you should be careful with conjunctions. In this case, you should use an inverted word order, which means that the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. For example, instead of saying “I never go to the gym and I don’t like it,” you should say “I never go to the gym and don’t like it.”

Using conjunctions with comparative structures

When using comparative structures like “than” or “as…as,” you should use the correct conjunction. “Than” is used to compare two things, while “as…as” is used to say that two things are equal. For example, instead of saying “He is taller than me as I am short,” you should say “He is taller than me because I am short.”

Practical Exercises for Conjunction Usage

Now that you have learned about the different types of conjunctions, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some practical exercises to help you improve your conjunction usage:

Exercise 1: Coordinating Conjunctions

Complete each sentence using the correct coordinating conjunction from the parenthesis:

She wanted to go to the beach, __________ he preferred to stay at home. (but/and)
You can either come with me __________ stay here. (or/and)
He is not only a great actor, __________ a talented musician. (but/and)
She is studying hard __________ she wants to get a good grade. (because/so)
He is neither tall __________ thin. (nor/or)

Exercise 2: Subordinating Conjunctions

Complete each sentence using the correct subordinating conjunction from the parenthesis:

I will go to bed early __________ I have to wake up early tomorrow. (because/although)
She didn’t study for the test __________ she knew the material well. (because/although)
__________ you like it or not, you have to do your homework. (whether/if)
She was tired __________ she stayed up late watching TV. (because/although)
He went to the store __________ he needed to buy some milk. (because/so)

Exercise 3: Correlative Conjunctions

Complete each sentence using the correct correlative conjunction from the parenthesis:

__________ the dog barked, the cat ran away. (either/or)
She can __________ take the train __________ drive to work. (either/or)
He is __________ a good athlete __________ a talented musician. (not only/but also)
She is __________ smart __________ hardworking. (not only/but also)
They can __________ go to the beach __________ stay at home. (either/or)

Exercise 4: Combining Sentences

Combine the following sentences using an appropriate conjunction:

She likes to read books. She also likes to watch movies.
He is a great athlete. He is also a talented musician.
She is studying hard. She wants to get a good grade.
He went to the store. He needed to buy some milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common coordinating conjunctions?

Common coordinating conjunctions include “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “yet,” and “so.” These words are used to connect two or more independent clauses or words of equal importance within a sentence.

What is the difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions connect two or more independent clauses or words of equal importance, while subordinating conjunctions connect an independent clause to a dependent clause. Subordinating conjunctions indicate a relationship between the two clauses, such as cause and effect, time, or contrast.

Can a sentence have more than one conjunction?

Yes, a sentence can have more than one conjunction. However, it is important to use conjunctions sparingly and effectively to avoid creating run-on sentences or confusing the reader.

What is the purpose of using conjunctions in writing?

The purpose of using conjunctions in writing is to create a logical flow of ideas and connect related thoughts and concepts. Conjunctions help to make writing more concise and easier to read by linking ideas and creating a smooth transition between sentences and paragraphs.

How can I improve my use of conjunctions in my writing?

To improve your use of conjunctions in writing, it is important to understand the different types of conjunctions and their functions. Practice using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in your writing to create more complex sentences and improve the flow of your ideas.

What are some examples of complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions?

Here are a few examples of complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions:

After she finished her homework, she went to bed.
Although he was tired, he stayed up late to finish the project.
Because it was raining, we decided to stay inside and watch a movie.

Related terms:

Last Updated on November 7, 2023