Conjunctions

Overview

Conjunctions are connecting words that join words, phrases, or clauses together. They're essential for building complex sentences and expressing relationships between ideas.

• I like tea and coffee. (adding)
• She's smart but lazy. (contrasting)
• I stayed home because it was raining. (explaining why)

Three Types of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS

The seven coordinating conjunctions can be remembered with FANBOYS:

And (addition)

Joins similar or related ideas:

• She speaks French and Spanish.
• I got up, had breakfast, and went to work.
• The food was cheap and delicious.

But (contrast)

Shows a difference or unexpected result:

• I'm tired but I can't sleep.
• The exam was difficult but fair.
• He tried hard but didn't succeed.

Or (choice / alternative)

Offers options or possibilities:

• Do you want tea or coffee?
• We can go to the cinema or stay at home.
• Hurry up, or you'll be late. (= otherwise)

So (result)

Shows a consequence:

• It was raining, so we stayed inside.
• She studied hard, so she passed the exam.
• I forgot my wallet, so I couldn't pay.

Yet (surprising contrast)

Similar to "but," emphasises something unexpected:

• She's only 20, yet she runs a company.
• The test was easy, yet many students failed.
• He's very rich, yet he lives simply.

Nor (negative addition)

Adds another negative — requires inverted word order:

• I don't like coffee, nor do I like tea.
• She has never been to Asia, nor has she visited Africa.
• He won't apologize, nor will he change his behaviour.

For (reason — formal)

Gives a reason (more formal than "because"):

• She must be home, for the lights are on.
• We must hurry, for it's getting dark.

In everyday speech, "because" is much more common than "for."

Punctuation with Coordinating Conjunctions

When joining two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a comma before the conjunction:

• I like jazz**,** but my sister prefers pop.
• She was hungry**,** so she ordered pizza.

When joining words or phrases (not full clauses), no comma is needed:

• I like jazz and pop. (no comma)
• The food was cheap but delicious. (no comma)

Subordinating Conjunctions

These join a dependent (subordinate) clause to a main clause. The subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Reason: Because, Since, As

Because is the most common and direct. Since and as are slightly more formal and sometimes imply the reason is already known.

Contrast: Although, Even though, Though, While, Whereas

Time: When, While, Before, After, Until, As soon as, Since

Condition: If, Unless, As long as, Provided that

Purpose: So that, In order that

Result: So...that, Such...that

Position of Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses can come before or after the main clause:

After (more common):

• I stayed home because it was raining.
• She passed although the exam was hard.

Before (for emphasis — use a comma):

• Because it was raining, I stayed home.
• Although the exam was hard, she passed.

Rule: When the subordinate clause comes first, add a comma. When it comes second, a comma is usually optional.

Correlative Conjunctions

These work in pairs:

Both...and

Emphasises that two things are true:

• She speaks both English and French.
• He is both smart and hardworking.

Either...or

One or the other:

• You can have either tea or coffee.
• Either you come with us, or you stay home.

Neither...nor

Not one and not the other:

• She speaks neither French nor German.
• Neither the manager nor the staff were aware.

Not only...but also

Adds emphasis — the second element is surprising or extra:

• She is not only talented but also humble.
• He not only sings but also plays guitar.

Whether...or

Presents two alternatives:

• I don't know whether to go or stay.
• Whether you agree or not, I'm going.

Conjunctions vs. Linking Adverbs

Don't confuse conjunctions with linking adverbs (however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless). These work differently:

Linking adverbs need a period or semicolon before them — NOT a comma:

• Wrong: It rained, however we went out.
• Correct: It rained. However, we went out.
• Correct: It rained**; however**, we went out.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using "but" and "although" together

• Wrong: Although it was raining, but we went out.
• Correct: Although it was raining, we went out. OR It was raining, but we went out.

Mistake 2: Confusing "because" and "so"

• Because introduces the cause: I stayed home because I was tired.
• So introduces the result: I was tired, so I stayed home.
• Wrong: Because I was tired, so I stayed home. (don't use both)

Mistake 3: Using "despite" like a conjunction

• Wrong: Despite it was cold, we went out.
• Correct: Although it was cold, we went out. OR Despite the cold, we went out. (despite + noun)

Mistake 4: "Unless" double negative

• Wrong: I won't go unless you don't come.
• Correct: I won't go unless you come. (unless = if...not)

Mistake 5: Comma splice (using only a comma between independent clauses)

• Wrong: I was tired, I went to bed.
• Correct: I was tired**, so** I went to bed. OR I was tired**.** I went to bed.

Mistake 6: Starting with "Because" as a fragment

• Wrong: Because I was tired. (incomplete sentence)
• Correct: I stayed home because I was tired. OR Because I was tired, I stayed home.

Quick Reference

Practice Tips

1. Combine short sentences: Take simple sentences from your writing and join them with appropriate conjunctions.
2. Practice contrast pairs: Write sentences using both "but" and "although" to express the same idea differently.
3. Master "because" vs "so": Identify the cause and result in situations, then express both ways.
4. Use correlative conjunctions in speech: "Not only is the food great, but the service is excellent too."
5. Edit your writing: Look for places where you used short, choppy sentences and see if conjunctions could improve the flow.