Conjunction - Definition, Types, Use & Examples, Worksheet

Table of content

1. Introduction

2. What Are Conjunctions?

3. Types of Conjunctions

4. Functions of Conjunctions

5. Common Mistakes with Conjunctions

6. List of conjunctions

7. Conjunction Worksheet/ Exercise

Conjunctions: The Magical Bridges of Language

Definition :

A word which joins two words, two phrases or two sentences is called as a "Conjunction".

The most commonly used conjunctions are - and, or, but

For example:

• My friend and I went to the market yesterday but we didn't buy anything. I will go to the market tomorrow and I will buy a shirt or T-shirt.

1. Introduction

Conjunctions in English might seem like small and insignificant words, but they possess a magical power in the world of language. Like little bridges, they connect words, phrases, and clauses, allowing us to create complex and meaningful sentences. From simple connections to intricate relationships, conjunctions play a pivotal role in expressing our thoughts, ideas, and emotions. In this delightful journey through the realm of conjunctions, we will explore their various types, functions, and how they contribute to the beauty of communication.

2. What Are Conjunctions?

Before we delve into the fascinating world of conjunctions, let's understand what they are. Conjunctions are words used to link or join different elements in a sentence, providing a smooth flow and coherence. They are essential for creating well-structured sentences and maintaining logical relationships between words, phrases, or clauses.

Conjunctions serve as the bridges that link ideas together, allowing us to express complex thoughts with ease. Without conjunctions, our language would be fragmented, making it challenging to convey relationships between different elements in a sentence.

In simple words, Conjunctions are connectors.

3. Types of Conjunctions

There are various types of conjunctions, each serving a unique purpose in constructing sentences and conveying meaning. Let's explore them one by one:

a. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are the friendly connectors that link words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. They create balance and harmony in a sentence. The seven coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember using the acronym FANBOYS:

For: Used to indicate cause or reason. 

• He stayed at home, for it was raining outside.

And: Used to add similar or related ideas. 

• He likes to sing, and she enjoys dancing.

Nor: Used to present negative alternatives. 

• She didn't study for the test, nor did she bring her textbook.

But: Used to show a contrast or contradiction. 

• He wanted to go out, but his car wouldn't start.

Or: Used to present alternatives. 

• What would you like to have tea or coffee?

Yet: Used to show contrast or surprise. 

• It was raining heavily, yet they decided to go for a walk.

So: Used to show the result or consequence.

• He studied hard, so he cleared the exam.

b. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions, also known as "dependent" conjunctions, create a relationship of dependence between the main clause and the subordinate clause. The subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence but relies on the main clause for meaning. Some common subordinating conjunctions include:

After: Used to indicate time. 

• After the movie, we went for dinner.

Although: Used to introduce a contrast. 

• Although it was cold outside, she went for a jog.

Because: Used to show cause or reason. 

• She stayed indoors because it was snowing heavily.

If: Used to present conditions. 

• If you finish your homework, you can play outside.

Since: Used to indicate time or cause. 

• He has been studying since morning.

While: Used to express a contrast or a simultaneous action. 

• She was reading a book while waiting for the train.

c. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs and work together to connect elements in a sentence. They are similar to coordinating conjunctions but create a more specific relationship. Some common examples include:

Both...and: Used to connect two items or ideas. 

• Both my brother and my sister love to sing.

Either...or: Used to present two alternatives. 

• You can either join us for the movie or stay at home.

Neither...nor: Used to present two negative alternatives. 

• Neither the movie nor the play was interesting.

Not only...but also: Used to emphasize two ideas. 

• He is not only a talented artist but also a skilled writer.

d. Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are not typical conjunctions, but they serve a similar purpose by linking ideas within sentences or clauses. They are used to express relationships such as cause, effect, contrast, or time. Some common conjunctive adverbs include:

However: Used to introduce a contrast or a contradiction. 

• He studied hard; however, he didn't perform well in the test.

Therefore: Used to indicate a consequence or result. 

• She didn't prepare for the presentation; therefore, she stumbled during it.

Moreover: Used to add more information or emphasize a point. 

• The movie was entertaining; moreover, it had stunning visual effects.

Meanwhile: Used to show a simultaneous action or event. 

• She was cooking dinner; meanwhile, he was setting the table.

4. Functions of Conjunctions

Conjunctions serve various functions in constructing sentences. Let's explore their primary roles:

a. Coordination

Coordinating conjunctions are masters of coordination, joining words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance to create balanced and harmonious sentences. They facilitate clear communication and enhance the overall structure of the language.

b. Subordination

Subordinating conjunctions excel in subordination, linking the main clause with a subordinate clause that relies on the main clause for its meaning. This allows us to convey complex relationships between different parts of the sentence and provides depth to our expressions.

c. Combining Sentences

Conjunctions enable us to combine shorter sentences into longer ones, making our writing more concise and coherent. This process enhances readability and makes our communication more effective.

d. Creating Contrast

Conjunctions play a crucial role in expressing contrasts and contradictions, allowing us to highlight differences between ideas or events. This helps add depth and complexity to our language.

e. Presenting Alternatives

Conjunctions are essential when presenting alternatives or choices. They enable us to express options and decisions, making our language more flexible and versatile.

f. Expressing Cause and Effect

By using conjunctions, we can clearly indicate cause and effect relationships in our sentences. This enables us to explain why certain events occur and understand the consequences of actions.

5. Common Mistakes with Conjunctions

Though conjunctions might seem simple, they are not immune to common mistakes. 

Let's look at some errors people often make and how to avoid them:

a. Run-on Sentences

Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses are improperly joined, resulting in an excessively long and confusing sentence. To avoid this, use a coordinating conjunction or use punctuation (a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon) to separate the clauses properly.

b. Misusing Conjunctions

Using the wrong conjunction can lead to miscommunication and confusion. Make sure to choose the right conjunction that fits the context and relationship between the elements you are connecting.

c. Lack of Parallelism

When using correlative conjunctions or coordinating conjunctions to link similar elements, ensure they follow parallel construction. This means that the elements connected by the conjunctions should have the same grammatical structure.

d. Overusing Conjunctive Adverbs

While conjunctive adverbs can add variety and sophistication to our writing, overusing them can make the text appear cluttered. Use them judiciously to maintain clarity and flow.

Conjunctions are indeed the magical bridges of language.

6. List of conjunctions

Some conjunctions are listed below.

• after

            He went to lunch after he finished his work.

• although

            Although he is rich, he is down to earth.

• as

            As the teacher entered the class, the students stood up.

• because

            I bought a new umbrella because it started to rain.

• before

            Before he went to lunch, he finished his work.

• by the time

            He had already left the hotel by the time I reached

• if

            If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

• since

            It has been raining since morning.

• so that

            It was a rainy season so that I bought a new umbrella.

• that

            The mango tree is too high that you cannot climb

• until

            You cannot lose weight until you avoid sugar.

• when

            When I was studying, the bell rang.

• where

            I found my key, where I left it.

• not only ....but also

            John not only plays guitar but also sings well.

• either..... or

            I would prefer either tea or coffee.

• neither ......nor

            I will neither drink tea nor coffee.

• both.....and

            Both John and Amy participated in the singing contest.

• as well as

            John plays guitar as well as piano.

See also : Interjection

7. Conjunction Worksheet/ Exercise

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunctions to complete each sentence.

1. I enjoy both tea ___ coffee.
2. She is allergic ___ peanuts ___ seafood.
3. He wanted to go for a run, ___ it was raining outside.
4. You can have either the chicken ___ the fish for dinner.
5. We can go to the beach ___ stay home and watch a movie.
6. I am tired ___ I have to finish this project tonight.
7. He studied hard ___ he failed the exam.
8. She likes to read novels ___ she enjoys watching movies.
9. They went for a hike ___ a picnic in the park.
10. The party was canceled ___ the bad weather.

Answer Key:

1. and
2. to, and
3. but
4. or
5. or
6. but
7. but
8. and
9. or
10. due to

Conjunction FAQs

1. What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Examples include "and," "but," "or," "so," "because," and "although."

2. What are the different types of conjunctions?

There are three main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions.

3. What is a coordinating conjunction?

A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. The most common ones are "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet," and "so" (often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS).

4. What is a subordinating conjunction?

A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing a relationship such as cause, time, or condition. Examples include "because," "although," "if," "when," and "since."

5. What is a correlative conjunction?

A correlative conjunction pairs with another conjunction to link balanced words, phrases, or clauses. Examples include "either...or," "neither...nor," "both...and," "not only...but also," and "whether...or."

6. Can conjunctions start a sentence?

Yes, conjunctions, especially subordinating conjunctions and coordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," and "or," can start a sentence to add emphasis or create a conversational tone. However, this is more common in informal writing.

7. How do conjunctions improve sentence structure?

Conjunctions help create complex and compound sentences, which improve sentence variety and clarity by linking related ideas and showing their relationships.

8. What is the difference between "and" and "but"?

"And" is used to connect similar ideas or add information, while "but" is used to contrast ideas or show an exception. For example, "She likes coffee, and she likes tea" vs. "She likes coffee, but she doesn't like tea."

9. What are some examples of subordinating conjunctions?

Examples of subordinating conjunctions include "after," "although," "as," "because," "before," "if," "since," "though," "unless," "until," "when," "where," and "while."

10. Can conjunctions connect more than two elements?

Yes, conjunctions can connect more than two elements in a list or series. For example, "She bought apples, oranges, and bananas" or "He can sing, dance, and play the guitar."