Conjunctions and Their Types with Examples

In this blog post, you will learn about conjunctions, the words that connect phrases, clauses, and sentences to make our speech and writing clearer. Conjunctions help us combine ideas and show relationships between them, like similarity or contrast. Understanding the different types of conjunctions—coordinating, subordinating, and correlative—will help you use them correctly in both spoken and written English. Let’s explore these types with examples to improve your grammar skills.

Table of Contents

What are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are important words that connect phrases, clauses, and sentences together. They help us combine our ideas and make our writing and speech clearer. Conjunctions can connect two similar ideas, or they can show contrast between two different ideas. They are essential in both spoken and written English. Let’s explore the different types of conjunctions and their examples.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three main types of conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, or independent clauses that are of equal importance or structure. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet. These conjunctions are easy to remember by the acronym FANBOYS.

Usage: To link similar parts of a sentence or two independent clauses.

Examples Words:

Example Sentences:

She likes tea, and he prefers coffee.
You can take the bus, or you can walk.
I wanted to go out, but it started raining.
He doesn’t like chocolate, nor does he like cake.
She was tired, so she went to bed early.

Conjunctions and Their Types with Examples

Coordinating Conjunctions

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. These conjunctions show the relationship between the two clauses, such as cause, time, condition, and contrast.

Usage: To connect a dependent clause to a main clause, showing relationships like time, cause, or condition.

Examples Words:

Because
After
While
Since
Although
Once
Until
That
Lest
As
When
Since

Example Sentences:

She went home because she felt unwell.
I will call you after I finish my homework.
While she was cooking, her phone rang.
He hasn’t seen his friend since last summer.
Although it was late, he stayed up to finish the project.
Once she finishes her work, we will leave for dinner.
I will wait here until you arrive.
She said that she would come to the party.
Study hard lest you fail the exam.
I will do it as you requested.
Call me when you arrive at the station.
Since it was late, we decided to go home.

Subordinating Conjunctions

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect two equal grammatical parts of a sentence. They always come in pairs.

Usage: To link two equal elements of a sentence, such as words or clauses.

Examples Words:

Not only/but also
Either/or
Neither/nor
Both/and
Whether/or

Example Sentences:

She is not only talented but also hardworking.
You can have either tea or coffee.
Neither the teacher nor the students were ready for the exam.
Both John and Sarah are coming to the party.
He didn’t know whether to stay or leave.

Correlative Conjunctions and Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunction Examples

In this section, we will explore the different conjunction words and their use in the English language.

And

“And” is used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or add information.

Example Sentences:

I like apples and oranges.
She sings and plays the piano.
The kids were laughing and playing outside.
We visited the museum and went to the park.
He bought a book and a pen.

Nor

“Nor” is used to connect negative ideas.

Example Sentences:

She doesn’t eat meat, nor does she eat fish.
They didn’t study, nor did they complete the assignment.
He has no time, nor does he have the interest.
I don’t like coffee, nor do I drink tea.
The weather wasn’t good, nor was the trip enjoyable.

“Or” is used to present options or choices.

Example Sentences:

You can have cake or ice cream.
Would you like to go out or stay home?
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
We can either watch a movie or play a game.
Should I call you now or later?

But

“But” is used to show contrast or exception.

Example Sentences:

I wanted to go out, but it was raining.
She is smart, but she doesn’t work hard.
He studied hard, but he didn’t pass the exam.
I like pizza, but I don’t like cheese.
He is strong, but he is not fast.

For

“For” is used to explain reason or purpose (similar to because).

Example Sentences:

She stayed home, for she was feeling sick.
He went to bed early, for he had an important meeting the next day.
They left the house, for the weather was getting worse.
I stopped, for I was too tired to continue.
She didn’t attend the event, for she had other plans.

“So” is used to show result or effect.

Example Sentences:

It was cold, so I wore a jacket.
He missed the bus, so he had to walk.
I studied hard, so I passed the test.
She was late, so she took a taxi.
The movie was boring, so we left early.

Yet

“Yet” is used to show contrast, similar to but.

Example Sentences:

He is very tired, yet he continues to work.
It was raining, yet we still went for a walk.
She is smart, yet she doesn’t do well in exams.
They practiced hard, yet they lost the game.
I was hungry, yet I didn’t eat.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are used to connect two independent clauses and show the relationship between them, such as contrast, sequence, or cause and effect.

Examples Words:

However
Therefore
Moreover
Nevertheless
Meanwhile

Example Sentences:

She was tired; however, she kept working.
He didn’t study; therefore, he failed the exam.
It was raining; nevertheless, we went outside.
He loves to travel; moreover, he speaks many languages.
We had to wait; meanwhile, we talked to each other.

Not Only/But Also

This correlative conjunction is used to emphasize two related facts or actions.

Example Sentences:

She is not only smart but also hardworking.
Not only did he finish the project, but also presented it well.
He is not only a great singer but also an excellent dancer.
Not only did she clean the house but also cook dinner.
They are not only friends but also business partners.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

After: I will call you after I finish my work.
As: As I was leaving, she arrived.
Since: Since he moved away, we haven’t spoken.
Because: She stayed home because she wasn’t feeling well.
Before: We need to leave before it gets dark.

Types of Conjunctions

Learning conjunctions helps us connect ideas in a sentence and make our speech and writing more fluent and coherent. By understanding the types of conjunctions and how to use them, you can master the art of sentence construction and improve your language skills. Conjunctions are a fundamental part of English grammar, and using them effectively can enhance both your written and spoken communication.

Comparison between Types of Conjunctions

Here is a brief comparison of the different types of conjunctions discussed in the article to help you understand their usage and function in sentences:

Conjunction Type	Usage	Example Words	Example Sentence
Coordinating Conjunctions	Connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance.	And, But, Or, Nor, So, For, Yet	She wanted to go out, but it started raining.
Subordinating Conjunctions	Connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing relationships like time, cause, or condition.	Because, After, While, Since, Although	He stayed home because he wasn’t feeling well.
Correlative Conjunctions	Work in pairs to connect two equal elements of a sentence.	Not only/but also, Either/or, Neither/nor	She is not only smart but also hardworking.
Conjunctive Adverbs	Connect two independent clauses and show relationships like contrast, cause, or sequence.	However, Therefore, Moreover, Nevertheless, and meanwhile	He didn’t study; therefore, he failed the exam.