CONTENT
  1. Coordinating Conjunctions
  2. Subordinating Conjunctions
  3. Correlative Conjunctions

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:

CategoryConjunction
addition and
alternative or / nor
contrast but / yet
reason for / so
CategoryConjunction
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:

CategoryConjunction
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
CategoryConjunction
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:

CategoryConjunction
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
CategoryConjunction
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.