A Guide to English Conjunctions: Definitions, Types, Examples, and Usage

In this article, learn the essential role of conjunctions in English grammar. You'll learn what conjunctions are, their definitions, and how they function to connect words, phrases, and clauses within sentences. Our goal is to help you learn these fundamental building blocks of English, making your writing and speaking more cohesive and effective.

Understand the different types of conjunctions—coordinating, subordinating, and correlative, providing clear explanations and conjunction examples. This guide offers valuable insights and examples to enhance your understanding and usage of conjunctions.

Definition: Words or phrases that are used to introduce an idea relating to what has been said in the preceding sentence or sentences are called sentence connectors or conjunctions. They always refer to an idea expressed already. Thus, they establish a logical connection between the two ideas. A sentence connector without a preceding sentence or phrase becomes meaningless.

Example: Hari and Rakesh are good players. (Note: and is the word that is connecting two words)

Types of Conjunctions with Examples

Conjunctions join sentences together and often make them more compact; thus, instead of writing a long sentence ‘Hari is a good player and Rakesh is a good player’, we write the same in a short and more meaningful way, i.e. ‘Hari and Rakesh are good players’

Read the following sentences:

1. Four and three make seven.

2. Raj went to school but Aditya stayed at home.

3. We can read as well as write.

4. I am very strong though I am old.

In the above sentences the words in italics and, but, as well as, though join words together. These words are called Conjunctions.

⇒ Sometimes, however, the Conjunction and joins words only. For example,

Four and three make seven.

Raj and Aditya are brothers.

Raj and Aditya came home together.

Such sentences cannot be resolved in two sentences.

We need to use Conjunctions very carefully as they are quite similar to Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs and Prepositions, which are also connecting words.

Relative Pronouns: who, whose, whom, which, that.

Relative Adverbs: when, where, why, how.

Prepositions: in, at, to, on, with, etc.

I know the boy who admires you. ‘Who’ is a Relative Pronoun. It joins two sentences: ‘I know the boy’ and ‘the boy admires you.’ It refers to the noun boy.

I know the house where the boy lives. ‘Where’ is a Relative Adverb. It joins two sentences: ‘I know the house’ and ‘In that house, the boy lives’. It does the work of modifying the verb ‘lives’.

Take this and give that. And is a conjunction and simply joins the two parts of the sentence; it does not do other work like a Relative Pronoun and Relative Adverb.

Observe that a Preposition also joins two words but it does more; it governs a noun or a pronoun as,

She sat beside Radha. She stood behind me.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions are the conjunction words that connect equal sentence elements together (like two nouns) and are always composed of two words.

Either – or He is either a good singer or an excellent singer.

Neither – nor He draws neither neatly nor properly.

Both – and We both love and respect her.

Whether – or I have to go whether I like it or not.

Not only – but also The boy is not only very healthy but also very happy.

When Correlative conjunctions join two sentences, the structure after each of the correlated words should be the same.

Compound Conjunctions

Some compound expressions or phrases can be used as Conjunctions; these are called Compound Conjunctions.

In order that. The news was published in order that all students might know.

Provided that. I will rent you the flat provided that you do not cook meat.

On condition that. I will forgive you on the condition that you do not repeat this mistake.

As soon as. He took off his coat as soon as he returned home.

Classes of Conjunction

Conjunctions are divided into two classes according to their functions:

1. Coordinative Conjunctions

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

A Coordinative Conjunction joins together words, phrases or clauses of equal rank or importance.

Ex: Molly sang and Polly danced. The sentence contains two independent statements or two statements of equal rank or importance and none is dependent on the other for its meaning. So and in the sentence does the work of a Coordinative Conjunction. The important Coordinating Conjunctions are: and, but, for, or, nor, also, either….or, neither….nor.

Coordinating Conjunctions are of four kinds:

a. Cumulatives or Copulatives are those that merely add or connect one sentence or word to another.

Ex: He is guilty and his sister also.

Mohan as well as you are successful.

b. Adversatives are those, which express the contrast between two sentences.

Ex: He is wise but his brother is foolish.

He was all right; only he was tired.

c. Disjunctives or Alternatives are those, which express a choice between two statements.

Ex: He is either a fool or a rogue.

Walk fast else you will not overtake him.

d. Illatives are those by which one statement or fact is proved or inferred from another.

Ex: Something certainly fell in for I heard a splash.

Work Hard, for no one can succeed without hard work.

Subordinating Conjunctions joins a clause to another clause where one clause (subordinate clause) is dependent on another clause (principal clause) for its full meaning.

Ex: He said that he was ill. In this sentence, ‘That he was ill’ depends on ‘He said’ for its full meaning. Independently ‘That he was ill’ has no sense.

The important Subordinating Conjunctions are: After, before, when, where, why, how, till, unless, etc.

Subordinating Conjunctions are classified according to their meanings, as follows:

a. Time: after, before, since, as soon as, while, until, as, so long as, if, whether, on condition.

Ex: I would die before I lied.

I returned home after he had gone.

b. Purpose: in order that, lest, so that, that.

Ex: We eat so that we may live.

He held my hand lest I could fall.

c. Cause: because, since, as.

Ex: Since you wished it, it shall be done.

He may enter, as he is a friend.

d. Condition: provided or provided that, supposing, unless, as, if whether, on condition.

Ex: Balu will go if Vinay goes.

Grievances cannot be redressed unless they are known.

e. Result or Effect: so…that

Ex: He was so tired that he could hardly stand.

f. Comparison: than, no less than, as…as, as much as.

Ex: He is stronger than Hari.

g. Manner: as, so far as, according to, as if.

Ex: According to Ram, Hari is not coming to school.

h. Concession or Contrast: though, although, however, notwithstanding, as, even if, whatever, whichever.

Ex: A book is a book, although there is nothing in it.

Commonly Used Conjunctions List

Here's a table for the Conjunctions List used in daily life, along with their functions for your understanding:

Solved Example

Fill in the blanks with appropriate conjunctions from the options given.

1. Work regularly, ____________ you cannot prosper.

(i) otherwise (ii) so (iii) and (iv) therefore

2. They said the movie was fantastic, ____________ I watched it.

(i) and (ii) but (iii) so (iv) for

3. ________ you _________ he will have to do this job.

(i) both … and (ii) either … or (iii) neither … nor (iv) none of these

4. I have met ________ his brother __________ his father.

(i) either … or (ii) neither … nor (iii) whether … or (iv) none of these

5. She had not prepared herself for the test, ________ she sat for it.

(i) therefore (ii) otherwise (iii) nevertheless (iv) and

Ans. a) otherwise

b) so

c) either … or

d) neither … nor

e) nevertheless

Test your Knowledge: Conjunctions

Instructions: Choose the correct conjunction to complete each sentence. Check your answers at the end.

1. I want to go to the beach, _____ it’s too cold outside.
   a. and
   b. but
   c. or

2. She can choose to stay home, _____ she can go to the movies.
   a. so
   b. or
   c. because

3. He studied hard for the test, _____ he passed with flying colours.
   a. yet
   b. but
   c. so

4. _____ you finish your homework, you can watch TV.
   a. Although
   b. If
   c. Because

5. They went to the park _____ it was raining.
   a. unless
   b. despite
   c. because

6. I will call you _____ I arrive at the airport.
   a. if
   b. while
   c. when

7. She didn’t understand the instructions, _____ she asked for help.
   a. so
   b. yet
   c. because

8. We will go for a hike _____ the weather is nice.
   a. unless
   b. because
   c. if

9. He bought a new phone, _____ he could use it for work and play.
   a. and
   b. or
   c. so

10. You should bring an umbrella _____ it might rain later.
    a. although
    b. because
    c. so

Test your Knowledge: Correct Answers

1. b. but

2. b. or

3. c. so

4. b. If

5. b. despite

6. c. when

7. a. so

8. c. if

9. c. so

10. b. because

Takeaways from this Page

• Definition and Importance of Conjunctions: Conjunctions are essential words in English that connect words, phrases, or clauses, allowing for smooth and coherent communication. Understanding their role helps in constructing clear and effective sentences.

• Types of Conjunctions: Coordinating Conjunctions, Subordinating Conjunctions, Correlative Conjunctions.

• Usage of Conjunctions: Each type of conjunction serves a specific purpose, Coordinating Conjunctions link ideas of equal importance, Subordinating Conjunctions indicate a relationship between a dependent and an independent clause, and Correlative Conjunctions link equivalent elements in a balanced manner.

• Examples in Context: Examples illustrate how conjunctions are used in everyday sentences to convey relationships between ideas, such as using "so" to show cause and effect or "although" to introduce a contrast.

• Practical Application: Understanding conjunctions improves sentence structure and coherence in both writing and speaking, making communication more precise and effective.