Types of Conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are used to join or connect two or more words, phrases, or clauses.

What is a word, a phrase, and a clause?

Word: a distinct element of speech formed by letters to create a specific meaning.
Phrase: a group of two or more words that functions as a noun, verb, adjective, or another part of speech.
Clause: a group of two or more words that contains a subject and a verb that may or may not portray a complete thought. Sometimes, it can be a simple sentence.

When two or more words, phrases, or clauses (dependent or independent) are joined, coordinating conjunctions are used.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions, remembered by the acronym FANBOYS:

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

When should each one be used?

FOR

The conjunction for gives a reason for something. It connects two independent clauses, where the second clause explains why the first happened. It can be considered a more formal substitute for because.

Examples:

"I will not join the contest, for I am not good at feature writing."
"She will go home, for she is sick."
"The teacher scolded her students, for they did not submit their outputs on time."

If you replace for with because, the meaning stays the same, but you must remove the comma before the conjunction.

AND

And joins words, phrases, or independent clauses to add one element to another.

Examples:

"Jasmine, Katie, and Rose are joining the dance club."
"She is beautiful and smart."
"Grace submitted her project, and she will go home now."

NOR

Nor presents an additional negative idea after a negative clause. It often connects two negative independent clauses and involves negative inversion in the second clause (verb before subject).

Examples:

"She doesn't like coffee, nor does she enjoy tea."
"The kids haven't tried ginger tea, nor do they want to try it."
"Rico is not tech-savvy, nor is he fond of technology."

Nor can also connect two verbs, adjectives, or nouns, but some grammarians prefer or in these cases. Both forms are correct.

Examples with nor:

"She can't sing nor dance."
"Tina isn't nice nor cool."
"She can't eat shrimps nor lobsters."

Examples with or:

"She can't sing or dance."
"Tina isn't nice or cool."
"She can't eat shrimps or lobsters."

BUT

But introduces a contrast with the previous information. It can join an independent clause with a phrase or another independent clause.

Examples:

"She is smart but is not arrogant."
"They want to join the football team, but they can't."
"I would love to talk to you more, but we don't have enough time."

OR

Or introduces options or alternative choices among adjectives, nouns, pronouns, phrases, or independent clauses.

Examples:

"Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?"
"We can go swimming, or go camping."
"It's either she leaves in a few minutes, or she'll get caught in the rain."
"What do you think of my dress, good, better, or best?"

YET

Yet introduces a contrast like but, but often with an element of surprise given prior information.

Examples:

"The tea was too hot, yet I still had it."
"The story was saddening yet full of moral lessons."
"He made her cry many times, yet she still loves him."

SO

So joins two independent clauses where the second is the result or effect of the first.

Examples:

"I'm tall, so these jeans don't fit me."
"The teacher will be late, so let's just wait for her."

2. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions, also called paired conjunctions, always come in pairs and join two elements of equal importance and similar structure. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, they only join two elements.

Common correlative conjunctions:

neither … nor
not only … but also
either … or
both … and
not … but
whether … or
just as … so

Usage and Examples

neither … nor

Used to negate two options. Both options are negative.

"She has neither the money nor the time to go for an expensive night out."
"Neither they care nor do they understand the situation."
"Neither the food nor the dessert is good."

not only … but also

Used to highlight or emphasize an additional element, often surprising or contradictory.

"This bag is not only high-quality but also attractive."
"Not only is he a champion in chess, but he is also one of the most charming young men in the industry."

either … or

Used to present two positive options with emphasis that the choice is limited to these two.

"Either Nancy or Betty is paying the bill for this month."
"It's either you stay at home, or you'll end up alone in the hospital."

both … and

Used to emphasize that two elements are true. It cannot join two independent clauses, only words or phrases.

"Both the pen and the pencil are mine."
"Both Jenny and Lenny are going to the party."
"This van is both huge and expensive."

not … but

Expresses a contradiction, negating the first option while emphasizing the second.

"It's not only my dream but my family's dream."
"Not the red one but the blue one."

just as … so

Indicates similarity between two independent clauses.

"Just as how fast time flies, so does how fast the kids grow."
"Just as I love watching movies, so does my brother love reading books."

whether … or

Expresses doubt or uncertainty between two options but can also show certainty that one will happen.

"No one could tell what exactly happened. Whether she ran away or has been abducted."
"Whether we go swimming, or we go hiking, we'll sure have fun."
"I will go with you whether you like it or not."

3. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to create complex sentences. A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The independent clause contains a subject and verb expressing a complete thought. The dependent clause also contains a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a complete thought.

Functions of subordinating conjunctions:

Introduce dependent clauses, indicating they are less important than the main (independent) clause.
Show the relationship of the dependent clause to the main clause (e.g., cause, reason, condition, comparison).

Common subordinating conjunctions grouped by function

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions with Explanations

Cause / Reason

since, as, because introduce clauses that explain the cause or reason for the main action.

"You passed the exam since you studied hard last night."

This shows the reason why you passed the exam: because you studied hard.

"Because you studied hard last night, you passed the exam."

The clause beginning with because explains the cause, placed at the start for emphasis.

"As you studied hard last night, you passed the exam."

As is another subordinating conjunction indicating reason or cause here.

Comparison (Similarity)

as introduces a clause showing similarity or expected outcome.

"Today's classes have been postponed, as we thought they would."

This indicates that the result was expected, matching prior thought or prediction.

"She will join the competition, as you advised she should."

Shows that her joining the competition is in agreement with the advice given.

Comparison (Contrast)

though, whereas, while, although, even though introduce clauses that contrast with the main clause.

"The ice cream was superb, although I didn't get to enjoy it because of my toothache."

Despite the ice cream being superb, the enjoyment was lost due to the toothache.

"I watched the movie, though I was told it wasn't really good."

Shows a contrast between the action and the expectation.

"Other students don't complete their sleep just to pass the exam while you are roaming around enjoying yourself."

Contrasts the behavior of other students with the subject.

"I don't enjoy music, whereas I could spend hours watching movies."

Shows opposite preferences.

"I am tall even though my parents are short."

Shows unexpected contrast.

Condition

if, as long as, provided, provided that, in case, even if introduce clauses expressing conditions or possibilities.

"I'll go with you if you buy me ice cream."

The main action depends on the condition of buying ice cream.

"I'll go with you as long as you buy me ice cream."

Similar meaning, emphasizing the duration or limit of the condition.

"I'll bring my raincoat just in case it rains."

In case introduces a precautionary condition.

"I will buy that car even if you scold me."

The independent action will happen regardless of the condition.

Place

where, wherever introduce clauses related to place. Where refers to a specific place, wherever means any place.

"They live in a place where there are no huge buildings."

Specific place described.

"I want to live wherever autumn is there."

Any place meeting the condition of having autumn.

Reason / Purpose

so, so that, in order that introduce clauses that explain reason or purpose.

"She asked for your notes so that she could copy them."

The purpose of asking for notes is to copy them.

"She asked for your notes in order that she could copy them." (formal)

Formal expression of purpose.

Time

Subordinating conjunctions relating to time include before, when, after, until, whenever, each expressing different temporal relationships.

"I often have coffee before taking a bath."

Action of having coffee happens earlier than taking a bath.

"We were laughing when someone knocked on the door."

Two actions happening at the same time.

"I was eating ice cream until my stomach ached."

The first action stopped when the second condition occurred.

"I get nervous whenever my English teacher comes in."

The nervousness happens every time the teacher arrives.

Note: Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and always begin with subordinating conjunctions, which explain their relationship to the main clause.

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