Introduction to Conjunctions: Connecting Words in Sentences

Conjunctions are ‘joining words’ which comprise a very important part of English grammar. They join words, phrases, and sentences and help to make an expression meaningful. Questions in conjunction like ‘give an example of the conjunction’ are common in all school-level examinations and the NCERT syllabus puts a lot of importance on it. Depending on the class, you can expect questions on conjunctions of different difficulty levels. However, before discussing types of conjunctions with examples, let us see the conjunction definition. 

Definition of Conjunction with Example

A conjunction is a part of speech in English Grammar that is used to join clauses, phrases, and words together to construct meaningful sentences. Suitable conjunctions are used to form a link between or among words or groups of words and parts of a sentence and establish a relationship between or among them. The coordination of words is the main purpose of conjunction. Some commonly used conjunctions are “but”, “and”, “when”, “for”, “although” etc. Let us try to define conjunction with an example:

1. Rayan likes bacon and eggs for breakfast.

In this sentence, the two words i.e. bacon + eggs, are joined together by the conjunction and to show how the ideas are related to each other.

Let us look into some similar joining of clauses, phrases, and words with appropriate conjunction:

2. Taniya has to finish her homework before she can go to bed.

3. Shila is hurt but she still wants to play for the team.

Types of Conjunction Definition and Examples

In English Grammar, Conjunctions are mainly categorized into four different types i.e. coordinating, subordinating, correlating, and adverbial conjunctions. Let us look into these types of conjunction meaning and examples.

Coordinating Conjunction

A coordinating conjunction is the most commonly used conjunction that serves the purpose of joining two words, phrases, or independent clauses, which are parallel in structure. They are used in the middle of the sentence among or between words or groups of words and not at the beginning or the end of a sentence. In general, there are seven main coordinating conjunctions i.e. for, and, nor, or, but, yet, so. These can be easily recalled chronologically by remembering the acronym “FANBOYS”. 

Coordinating Conjunction Examples

1. The girl fell from the see-saw or from the swing.

Here the conjunction ‘or’ joins the two phrases linking “from the see-saw” and “from the swing”.

2. I am out of tea so I went to the market to buy some.

Here the conjunction ‘so’ joins the two clauses “I am out of tea” and “ I went to the market to buy some”.

3. I ate chicken and rice for dinner.

Here the conjunction ‘and’ joins the two words “chicken” and “rice”.

Subordinating Conjunction

Subordinating conjunctions link two clauses together. They introduce a dependent clause and also explain the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause in the sentence. They can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to emphasize the main idea of the independent clause. 

Some of the commonly used subordinating conjunctions are as follows: since, though, unless, while, as far as, while, as soon as, although, before, even if, because, no matter how, whether, wherever, when, until, after, as if, how, if, in case, so that, now that, etc.

Subordinate Conjunction Examples

1. While everyone else was asleep, Roger slowly sneaked out.

There should be a comma between the dependent and independent clauses. The conjunction “while” provides a transition between two ideas in the same sentence.

2. You need to finish your assignment before going to school tomorrow.

The central idea of finishing the assignment is linked by the conjunction “before” with the dependent clause that explains the transition.

Correlating Conjunction

These exist in pairs and are placed at different parts of the sentence to join equal sentence elements together to make a sensible sentence. Some of the most commonly used correlating conjunctions are: either-or, neither-nor, not only-but also, both-and, whether-or, and so-as, etc.

Correlating Conjunction Examples

• You can either have chocolate or ice cream.

• Not only did she top her class but also she won the sports trophy. 

• Both my father and my uncle are neurosurgeons.

Adverbial Conjunction

Certain adverbs are used in sentences as conjunctions the same way coordinating conjunction i.e. joining two independent clauses. Adverbial conjunction is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. Some commonly used adverbs as conjunctions are: however, therefore, on the contrary, hence, in fact, otherwise, as a result, indeed, still, thus, on the other hand, furthermore, instead, incidentally, after all, finally, likewise, meanwhile, consequently, etc.

Adverbial Conjunction Examples

1. Raju got impressive marks in science; however, his mathematics performance was not up to mark

2. My mother went grocery shopping; meanwhile, I cleaned the house.

Even though the concept of conjunctions seems to be comparatively easy, unlike tenses, adverbs, etc it is important to remember the conjunction definition for each type for proper implementation in sentences. Remember to punctuate the sentences according to the rules.

Definition of Conjunctions 

Conjunctions is the joining words or the words that conjoin words that help connect two sentences, phrases, or clauses together. Some common conjunctions are although, but, for, nor, yet, etc. This topic is very important in English Grammar as it helps form correct sentences. Without conjunctions, one won’t be able to express their mind and thoughts clearly as the sentence will be short and compact such as

Example 1 

1. I like Singing

2. I do not like dancing

Won’t the sentence sound much better if it was written as-

• I like singing but not dancing. 

Example 2 

1. Meera does not like ice cream 

2. Meera does not like Yoghurt 

Won't the sentence sound much better if it was written as- 

• Meera does not like ice cream or yogurt. 

There are Three types of Conjunctions Namely

1. Coordinating conjunctions 

2. Subordinating conjunctions 

3. Correlative conjunctions 

Types of Conjunctions 

1. Coordinating Conjunctions 

The main task of coordinating conjunctions is to connect two phrases of the same grammar rank. Remember to connect words to words, sentences to sentences, sentences to sentences, and so on. 

A simple rule for using coordinating conjunctions is to try and place them between words or phrases, not at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Common Coordinating Conjunctions are as follows-

• For 

• And

• Yet

• So

• Nor 

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions 

• I would like to have Italian for dinner. 

• Alexa said that we are first going to the concert and then dinner. 

• He has been gone since morning and yet he hasn’t bothered calling home. 

• My mother is asleep so please do not make any noise. 

• I like neither hotdogs nor Burgers. 

2. Subordinating Conjunctions 

Subordinate conjunctions connect subordinate and independent clauses. Subordinate conjunctions can mean the relationship between two clauses i.e. it can be a contradiction between two statements or ideas.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions are- 

• Only if 

• Because

• While

• In order to

• Although 

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions are- 

• I will attend the function only if you are attending as well

• I went to Alaska because my sister got admitted to the hospital 

• The kids went for a swim while the parents sat around the bonfire 

• We need to leave this country in order to protect our children 

• We completed our task although it was past midnight 

3. Correlative Conjunctions 

Correlative conjunctions occur in pairs and connecting two elements can represent matching or opposite ideas that are equally important in a sentence. 

Common Correlative Conjunctions are- 

• Neither 

• Either

• Not only 

• Whether

• And

Examples of Correlative Conjunctions are- 

• Adam neither drinks nor smokes

• You can either call me on my office number or my personal cell. 

• She is not only good at baking but also at painting

• I don’t know whether he will agree or not

• My mother and sister are traveling to Japan. 

Types of Conjunction