Conjunctions in English: Types, Rules, Examples, and Practice

Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, clauses, and even full sentences. They are the "linkers" that give flow and logic to English.

What is a conjunction?

Definition. A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases , clauses, and sentences.

• Grammar and arithmetic are valuable studies.
• We passed over the mountains and through the forests.
• We arrived at home sooner than we expected.
• The houses were decorated with flags and lights shone in every window.

The three types of conjunctions

• Coordinating — join units of equal rank (word+word, phrase+phrase, clause+clause, sentence+sentence).
• Subordinating — link a dependent clause to a main clause.
• Correlative — paired conjunctions working in tandem (e.g., either…or).

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS + classic sets)

Coordinators connect equal structures. Classic labels you'll see in older grammar: cumulative/additive, adversative/contrast, alternative/disjunctive, and illative/inference.

Common items: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet; plus forms often used in coordination like as well as, however, therefore, while (usage varies by style).

Authentic examples (equal rank)

• New Zealand and Australia belong to Great Britain.
• In Europe we went from London to Berlin, and from Berlin to Paris.
• The sea was calm and the air was still.
• A valley or a low plain is called a lowland.
• He was not a gentleman, but he had the appearance of a gentleman.
• The soldiers were sick and starving, yet they would not surrender.
• My head aches badly; however, I must finish this work.
• My father is dead, therefore I must help my mother.
• Pedro did not prepare for the examination, therefore he failed to pass.
• Americans believe that education is necessary for liberty, therefore they have excellent schools.

Note on style: In modern usage, however and therefore are usually treated as conjunctive adverbs; prefer a semicolon before them and a comma after (e.g., "My head aches badly; however, …").

Correlative conjunctions (paired)

Pairs: both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or.

Rule: keep parallel structure on both sides of the pair.

Examples

• Both Longfellow and Whittier were American poets.
• Either sing a song or tell a story.
• An orphan is a child that has neither father nor mother.
• I have not only diagrammed the sentences but have also parsed all the words.
• Gregorio did not know whether Auckland is in New Zealand or in Australia.
• He is a gentleman not only in his manner but also in his appearance.
• Neither his manner nor his appearance indicates that he is a gentleman.
• Either he is a gentleman or he is a rascal. / He is either a gentleman or a rascal.

Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinators introduce dependent clauses (adverbial or noun clauses) and link them to the main clause.

Examples

• The ships did not leave the harbor because a typhoon was approaching.
• Before we can eat rice, it must be hulled by pounding, washed and cooked.
• If you should sail directly east from the Philippines, you would come to Mexico and Central America.
• I knew that Manila was captured by the English in 1762.
• We shall have dinner as soon as father comes.

Common subordinators (grouped)

• Time: after, before, when, while, since, until, as soon as
• Cause/Reason: because, since, as
• Condition: if, unless, provided (that), in case (that), on condition (that), even if
• Purpose: so that, in order that, lest
• Concession: though, although, even if
• Comparison: than, as…as, so…as
• Manner/Place: as if, as though, where, wherever

Multi-word forms: as if, in case that, on condition that, even if, as soon as, provided that, as though, in order that, except that.

Punctuation & style rules

• Coordinators joining independent clauses: use a comma before and, but, or, nor, yet, so when both sides can stand alone.
• Conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore): use a semicolon before + comma after when linking independent clauses.
• No comma before restrictive that; place because for clarity if ambiguity is possible.
• Keep parallelism with correlatives (not only… but also; either… or; neither… nor).
• Prefer short sentences; avoid chaining too many conjunctions in a row.

Conjunction vs. preposition vs. relative marker

• because (conjunction) vs. because of (preposition + object)
• that as a subordinator (I knew that Manila…) vs. that as a determiner/relative marker (context-dependent)

Master lists (study tables)

Coordinating & correlatives

• Additive: and, as well as, both…and, not only…but also
• Adversative/contrast: but, yet, however
• Alternative/disjunctive: or, nor, either…or, neither…nor, whether…or
• Illative/inference: for, so/therefore

Subordinating (by meaning)

• Time: after, before, when, while, since, until, as soon as
• Cause/Reason: because, since, as
• Condition: if, unless, provided (that), in case (that), on condition (that), even if
• Purpose: so that, in order that, lest
• Concession: though, although, even if
• Comparison: than, as…as, so…as
• Manner/Place: as if, as though, where, wherever

Practice exercises

A) Identify the conjunction & its type

1. Cigarettes and cigars are made in Manila.
2. The Ilocanos as well as the Tinguianes make beautiful blankets.
3. The boys walked through the town and across the rice fields.
4. They saw some beautiful butterflies, but they could not catch any of them.
5. A valley or a low plain is called a lowland.
6. He was not a gentleman, but he had the appearance of a gentleman.
7. He is a gentleman not only in his manner but also in his appearance.
8. Neither his manner nor his appearance indicates that he is a gentleman.
9. Either he is a gentleman or he is a rascal.
10. He is either a gentleman or a rascal.

B) Underline the subordinate clause

11. The ships did not leave the harbor because a typhoon was approaching.
12. Before we can eat rice, it must be hulled by pounding, washed and cooked.
13. If you should sail directly east from the Philippines, you would come to Mexico and Central America.
14. I knew that Manila was captured by the English in 1762.
15. We shall have dinner as soon as father comes.

C) Combine with the target conjunction

16. The sea was calm. The air was still. (and / yet / but)
17. Pedro did not prepare for the examination. He failed to pass. (therefore / so)
18. Americans believe that education is necessary for liberty. They have excellent schools. (therefore / so)
19. The soldiers were sick and starving. They would not surrender. (yet)
20. My head aches badly. I must finish this work. (however)