Conjunctions | Definition, Examples and Rules In English

What are conjunctions? The word which joins two parts of a sentence is called a conjunction. It is one of the important parts of speech. It joins two or more sentences, phrases, and independent clauses.

Learn conjunctions definition, examples, and rules of conjunctions in English grammar.

Conjunctions Definition:

The word which joins two parts of a sentence is called a conjunction.

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Types of Conjunctions

There are three types of conjunctions

• Coordinating Conjunctions
• Subordinating Conjunctions
• Correlative Conjunctions

 

• Coordinating Conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunctions are used to join short sentences converting them into fuller lines. There are seven Coordinating Conjunctions and all of them are very easy to remember if you just keep in mind the acronym “FANBOYS”.

For	Used to show reason or purpose
And	Used to add something to another
Nor	Used to give an alternative negative idea to an already given negative idea
But	Used to show opposition
Or	Used to show choices
Yet	Used to show a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically
So	Used to show result, effect, or consequences

 

• Subordinating Conjunctions:

It always introduces a dependent clause and connects it with an independent clause. In contrast to coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions can come first in the sentence because of the nature of the relationship between dependent and independent clauses. Below is a table listed giving you examples of Subordinating Conjunctions.

Because	While	As
Although	Until	Since
When	After	That
Unless	Before	As if
Whether	once	In order that

 

• Correlative Conjunctions:

They come in pairs and relate one sentence to another with suitable conjunction. Correlative conjunctions connect two equal grammatical terms. So, if a noun follows “both,” then a noun should also follow “and.”

Either…..or

Both……and

Neither…….nor

Not only…….but also

Whether……or

Use of Conjunctions in Sentences with Rules:

AND

Use and join similar ideas

I will go

Use and to show that one action depends on another

They did not study and failed the exams

Use and to show that one action follows the other

I will go to the mall and buy clothes

 

BUT

Use but to join two opposite ideas

You are a good rider but I will not give you a bike

Use but to cancel the meaning of an idea

I like you but you irritate me a lot

OR

Use or to show choice

You may come with us or stay here

Use or to give some reason for something

Study hard or you will have to leave the college

SO

Use so to signify reason and then result

Traffic was really bad so I came late

Use so to tell something more

He was angry so he left early

YET

Use yet to signify a strange fact

He misbehaved with me, yet he was my friend

BECAUSE

Use because to signify the result and then reason

I hate you because you always irritate me

ALTHOUGH

Use although to state a strange fact

He went to school although he was ill

WHEN

Use when to show the time of the happening of something

They called me when I was busy doing my work

UNLESS

Use unless to signify a condition

You cannot enter the class unless you wear the mask

WHETHER

Use whether to signify if

I don’t know whether I should help you or ignore you

WHILE

Use while to signify two things happening at the same time

He ate food while I watched the movie

UNTIL

Use until to signify a condition

I can’t allow you to sit in class until you wear a mask

AFTER

Use to show an event happening after the other

I’ll call you after I complete my work

BEFORE

Use to show an event happening before the other

You should call me before leaving

ONCE

Use once to tell about as soon as

I’ll come home once I complete my work

AS

Use as in formal writing and speech to say ”as a result”

I got worried as the teacher announced the quiz

SINCE

Use since to say “as a result” of what happened first

I refused to help him since he had done the same last year

THAT

Use that to indicate the person or thing mentioned before

They clarified that they would never insult anyone

AS IF

Use as if to comment on how a situation seems

You are fighting with me as if I insulted you

IN ORDER THAT/TO

Use in order that/to to show a purpose

I joined this course in order that to I could learn

EITHER…..OR

Use either…..or to talk about two possible choices

You should either come on time or not come at all

BOTH…..AND

Use both…..and to join two similar ideas

She is both ugly and dumb

NEITHER…..NOR

Use neither…..nor to join two opposite ideas

She is neither ugly nor dumb

NOT ONLY…..BUT ALSO

Use not only…..but also to join two similar ideas

He is not only intelligent but also handsome

WHETHER…..OR

Use whether…..or to emphasize the idea chosen between two choices

Tell me whether you are coming or not

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Conjunctions | Definition, Examples, and Rules