Conjunctions

Conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses together. There are three types of conjunctions.


  1. The six coordinating conjuctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (think of the acronym FANBOYS to remember them).

    Conjunction Function / Meaning Example
    for meaning "because" Please leave me alone, for I'm too sad to talk.
    and joins two similar ideas together She started shouting and screaming.
    nor joins two negative alternatives He wasn't at school nor was he at home yesterday.
    but joins two contrasting ideas Mom didn't like the song, but we loved it.
    or joins two alternative ideas You can go by bus or by1 train.
    yet meaning "but" The story's unbelievable, yet supposedly it's all true.
    so shows that the second idea
    is the result of the first    		 Dad heard a noise so he got out of bed.
    1 Although the function word "by" can be omitted, it is repeated to clarify the parallel ideas. Include function words (by, to, that, because) whenever their inclusion makes a sentence clearer.

    Coordinating conjunctions are used to link grammatically equal elements.

    Examples:

    • noun + noun

      Jack and Jean are here.

    • verbal phrase + verbal phrase

      The boys broke the window and (the boys) ran away.

      Note: Words for repeated ideas (e.g., "the boys" in the above sentence) can often be left out in the second of two coordinate clauses.

    • independent clause + independent clause

      Jean was going to the store, and Jack said he'd go with her.

      Note: When using a conjunction to join two independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction.




  2. Correlative conjunctions come in pairs: either ... or; neither ... nor; not ... only; but ... also; whether ... or; both ... and.

    Like coordinating conjunctions, they join grammatically equal elements.

    • Neither Jean nor Jack has finished the project.
    • Neither Jean nor the boys have finished the project.

      Note: When joining singular and plural subjects, make the verb agree with the noun nearest to it.




  3. A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause and indicates its relation to the main clause.

    Subordinating conjunctions can be classified according to their use. Here are some examples.

    Time Place Manner Reason Concession Condition
    before
    after
    when
    whenever
    once
    until
    		 where
    wherever
    		 as if
    as though
    how
    		 because
    in order that
    so
    so that
    		 although
    though
    even though
    than
    rather than
    whereas
    		 assuming that
    if
    even if
    in case
    provided that
    unless
    whether
    as [while] as [because]
    since since [because]
    while while [although]

    Examples:

    • He discovered the jewel was a fake after he bought it.
    • You can't go because you're too young.
    • Though Jack is almost 70, he still plans to run the marathon.
    • If you get the right answer, you win a prize.

    • The phone rang as I was leaving.
    • As he was tired, Jack decided to go to bed.

    • Jack has been working in a bank since he graduated.
    • Since you are not feeling well, you should rest.

    • They arrived while we were having dinner.
    • While I like the design of the dress, I do not like its color.

      • Note: Put a comma at the end of the subordinating clause when it precedes the main clause.