Conjunctions in English are words that connect clauses, sentences, words, or phrases. Importantly, they serve to link ideas, make sentences flow better, and clarify the relationships between parts of a sentence. Here are the main types of conjunctions:
1. Coordinating conjunctions
These connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. The most common coordinating conjunctions are remembered by the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. To learn more and for examples read the article, “Coordinating conjunctions: What they are and how to use them.“
2. Correlative conjunctions
- These work in pairs to join elements within a sentence. Common pairs include:
- Both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or.
Example: Both the movie and the book were excellent.
For more information, see: Correlative conjunctions: What they are and what they do.
3. Subordinating conjunctions
These introduce a dependent clause, indicating that the clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Therefore, they show the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause. Some common subordinating conjunctions include:
After, although, as, because, before, if, once, since, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while.
For a comprehensive list of subordinating conjunctions, see the article Subordinating conjunctions: What they are and what they do.
4. Conjunctive adverbs
While not true conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs function to connect independent clauses and show the relationship between these clauses. They often require a semicolon or period when connecting two independent clauses. Examples are:
Consequently, furthermore, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, and therefore.
