Conjunctions: What they do and how they are used

Conjunctions are essential building blocks in the English language, acting as connectors that link clauses, sentences, words, or phrases. They play a crucial role in enhancing sentence flow, organizing ideas, and clarifying relationships between different parts of a sentence. From joining simple words to bridging complex clauses, conjunctions come in various forms, each serving a unique purpose. This overview explores the four main types of conjunctions—coordinating, correlative, subordinating, and conjunctive adverbs—and highlights their functions and applications in everyday communication.

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.

In summary

In English, conjunctions are vital tools for connecting ideas and structuring sentences effectively. Coordinating conjunctions, such as those in the FANBOYS acronym (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), link elements of equal grammatical weight. Correlative conjunctions, like “both…and” or “either…or,” work in pairs to join related parts within a sentence. Subordinating conjunctions, including words like “because” and “although,” introduce dependent clauses and establish their relationship to independent clauses. Lastly, conjunctive adverbs (e.g., “however,” “therefore”) connect independent clauses, often with a semicolon or period, to show logical relationships. Together, these conjunctions ensure clarity and coherence in writing and speech.

See: Conjunctive adverbs: What they are and what they do.