Conjunctions

We use conjunctions to join other words and phrases together. Conjunctions have an important job: without them, we could only make very simple sentences.
A conjunction is a word like and, but, although, because.
What Is a Conjunction?
With What is a Conjunction? Quiz
Introduction to conjunctions
We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.
What do conjunctions do?
Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":
- We use coordinating conjunctions to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses, for example:
- Jack and Jill went up the hill.
- The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming. - We use subordinating conjunctions to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example:
- I went swimming although it was cold.
Here are some example conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunctions | Subordinating conjunctions |
---|---|
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so | although, because, since, unless |
What do conjunctions look like?
Conjunctions have three basic formats:
- single word
for example: and, but, because, although - compound (often ending with as or that)
for example: provided that, as long as, in order that - correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
for example: so...that
Where do conjunctions go?
- Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.
- Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the subordinate clause.
Coordinating conjunctions
A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar. A coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and structure:
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There are seven coordinating conjunctions, and they are all short words of only two or three letters:
- and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]:
- I like [tea] and [coffee].
- [Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.
When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction:
- I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian at university.
However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential:
- She is kind so she helps people.
When "and" is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional:
- He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum.
- He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.
F | A | N | B | O | Y | S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
for | and | nor | but | or | yet | so |
Subordinating conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause:
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Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:
- after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
Look at this example:
main or independent clause |
subordinate or dependent clause |
|
---|---|---|
Ram went swimming | although | it was raining. |
subordinating conjunction |
A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate clause. It "introduces" a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can come after or before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible:
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Ram went swimming although it was raining.
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Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.