Today you are going to learn the different types of conjunctions in English through a series of examples.
In grammar, a conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Without conjunctions, you’d be forced to express every complex idea in a series of short, simplistic sentences
| I like playing soccer, I like running , I like doing Yoga |
These are some examples of conjunctions in English and some sentences with them that illustrate the importance of using them.
| Conjunction | Sentence |
| And | I like tea and coffee. |
| If | If they were older, they could go to the party. |
| Otherwise | Look at the map, please. Otherwise you’ll get lost. |
| When | When you get to France, send me an email |
| In case | Take your phone with you in case you need my help |
| Since | Since you fail the test, you will have to apply again |
| However | She worked hard however she didn’t lose weight |
Table of Contents
3 Types of Conjunctions
There are three different types of conjunctions:
- Coordinating Conjunctions
- Subordinating Conjunctions
- Correlative Conjunctions
The 3 different types of conjunctions have different roles when joining clauses.
Read the definitions, check the examples and watch the video to understand more about the different types of conjunctions
Types of Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators. In English the mnemonic acronym FANBOYS can be used to remember the coordinators for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.
Here are some examples of coordinating conjunctions in English and what they do:
- For presents a reason
- And presents non-contrasting item(s) or idea(s)
- Nor presents a non-contrasting negative idea “).
- But presents a contrast or exception
- Or presents an alternative item or idea
- Yet presents a contrast or exception
- So presents a consequence
More Examples
- I normally like to run, but today I am walking.
- I like strawberry and chocolate ice cream
- I am smarter than my brother, yet he still got a higher grade on the test.
- I don’t make good grades, nor do I try very hard in school.
- It is raining outside today, so I think I will wear my raincoat.
- I don’t like yellow or blue
Directions: try to fill in the blanks using the appropriate conjunction. Use commas if necessary.
- My dad _______ I are going fishing this afternoon.
- The old man doesn’t have much money _____ he always seems to have nice things.
- Either we are going to win ______ they are going to win.
- I don’t have much time _____ hurry up!
- I want to get there early ____ we should leave soon.
- It doesn’t matter whether they get the job ___ not.
- I ran after the cat _____ could not catch her.
- We played very well ____ we still lost the game.
Types of Conjunctions: Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join words and groups of words of equal weight in a sentence. There are six different pairs of correlative conjunctions:
- either…or
- not only…but also
- neither…nor (or increasingly neither…or)
- both…and
- whether…or
- just as…so
Examples of sentences with correlative conjunctions:
- You either do your work or prepare for a trip to the office.
- Not only is he handsome, but he is also brilliant.
- Neither the basketball team nor the football team is doing well.
- Both the cross country team and the swimming team are doing well.
- Whether you stay or go is your decision.
- Just as many Americans love football, so many Canadians love ice hockey.
Types of Conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions that conjoin an independent clause and a dependent clause.
Subordinating conjunctions are only used for/in complex sentences and independent clause and a dependent clause.
This is a List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions
| after although as as soon as because before by the time even if even though every time if in case | in order that in the event that just in case now that once only if provided that rather than since so that than that | though until when whenever where whereas wherever whether whether or not while why |
Examples of sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions in English
- After dinner, we’ll go see a movie
- When we’re done, let’s get some ice cream
- Wherever I go, I try to enjoy myself
- If you find out, please let me know
- Until we find it, we can’t leave
- I’ll keep on dreaming until my dreams come true
- The child ran to her mother as soon as she saw her.
- Once you see him, you will recognize him
- He worked harder for a promotion so he could buy a new car
- I trust him because he is a trustworthy person
- They came to talk to me as soon as I entered the classroom
- He inspires me always because he believes in me
- I will not tell you anything unless you tell me what you know first
- I go out whenever the weather is good.
Types of Conjunctions Exercises
These are some conjunctions exercises that can help you determine how much you know about this topic.
- Conjunctions Exercise 101
- Conjunctions Exercise 102
- Conjunctions Exercise 103
- Conjunctions Exercise 104
- Conjunctions Exercise 105
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More Information
Check these pages and sites before you go:
- Relative Clauses: Guide and Examples
- Guide to Countable and Uncountable Nouns
- Indefinite Articles in English: Guide & Examples
- 30 Complex Sentences Examples
- Wish in English Grammar: Guide & Examples
- Transitive Verbs List: 125 Examples
- Prefixes and Suffixes Examples
- Gerunds in English: Guide & Examples
- List of Intensifiers and Mitigators
- Demonstrative Pronouns Examples
