Conjunctions, also known as linking or connecting words, are used to join words, phrases and clauses in a sentence. There are three types of conjunctions in the English language: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.
Example
Explanation
My favorite ice cream flavors are pistachio and vanilla, although I don't have a sweet tooth.
And is a coordinating conjunction; although is a subordinating one.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Rule 1: We use coordinating conjunctions to join two or more ideas of equal value - words, phrases, clauses. A coordinating conjunction is always placed between the two elements it connects.
Example
Explanation
What do you prefer to drink in the morning, coffee or tea?
Or is a coordinating conjunction used to join two things of equal value (coffee and tea) and is placed between them.
Rule 2: We can divide coordinating conjunctions into different categories, depending on their meaning or function in a sentence.
Here's an overview:
| Category | Conjunction |
|---|---|
| addition | and |
| alternative | or / nor |
| contrast | but / yet |
| reason | for / so |
| Category | Conjunction |
|---|---|
| addition | and |
| alternative | or / nor |
| contrast | but / yet |
| reason | for / so |
Subordinating Conjunctions
Rule 3: We use subordinating conjunctions to connect a main (independent) clause and a subordinate (dependent) clause, and emphasise or support the idea expressed in the main clause.
Example
Explanation
We were running late to the cinema because the traffic were bad.
Because is a subordinating conjunction that connects a main clause (we were running late) to a dependent clause (the traffic was bad).
Rule 4: We can divide subordinating conjunctions into different categories, depending on their meaning or function in a sentence.
Here's an overview:
| Category | Conjunction |
|---|---|
| comparison | although/though, even though, while, whereas |
| condition | as long as, if, except if, provided that, unless |
| purpose | in order to, in order that, so (that), so as to |
| reason | because, as, since |
| time | as soon as, after, before, as, once, since, when, while, until |
| Category | Conjunction |
|---|---|
| comparison | although/though, even though, while, whereas |
| condition | as long as, if, except if, provided that, unless |
| purpose | in order to, in order that, so (that), so as to |
| reason | because, as, since |
| time | as soon as, after, before, as, once, since, when, while, until |
Note: A subordinating conjunction always introduces a dependent clause, meaning that it must be placed in front of that clause. Nonetheless, the order of the independent and dependent clause is not fixed.
Example
Explanation
I couldn't hear them because the music was too loud.
Because the music was too loud, I couldn't hear them.
Both sentence structures are correct.
Correlative Conjunctions
Rule 5: We use correlative conjunctions - two-word conjunctions - to link two elements of the same grammatical structure (just like coordinating conjunctions).
Example
Explanation
It is important to take care of both your physical and mental health.
Both ... and is an example of correlative conjunctions that connect two equal items - adjectives physical and mental.
Rule 6: We can divide correlative conjunctions into different categories, depending on their meaning or function in a sentence.
Here's an overview:
| Category | Conjunction |
|---|---|
| addition | both ... and / not only ... but also |
| alternative | either ... or / whether ... or / neither ... nor |
| comparison | rather ... than / as ... as |
| reason | such ... that |
| time | no sooner ... than / scarcely ... when |
| Category | Conjunction |
|---|---|
| addition | both ... and / not only ... but also |
| alternative | either ... or / whether ... or / neither ... nor |
| comparison | rather ... than / as ... as |
| reason | such ... that |
| time | no sooner ... than / scarcely ... when |
Note: When a sentence begins with correlative conjunctions not only ... but also / no sooner ... than / scarcely ... when, the subject and auxiliary verb are inverted.
Example
Explanation
Not only did they bring me flowers but also my favorite biscuits.
The sentence begins with correlative conjunctions not only ... but also, so the subject they and auxiliary verb did are inverted.
Quiz
1/4
Choose the correct conjunction to finish the sentence. The weather is nice, ___ we're going to have a picnic in the park.
0
correct answers.