English Grammar
CONJUNCTIONS in English
Different types of conjunctions and their use.
A conjunction is a word that is used to connect words, phrases, and clauses.
The most common conjunctions are:
and, but, or, so, because, however, after, since, during, than, unless, that
There are three basic types of conjunctions: coordinating,
subordinating, and correlative.
| COORDINATING | SUBORDINATING | CORRELATIVE |
| Coordinating conjunctions are used to
connect independent clauses together. (An independent clause is a phrase that can stand alone as a complete sentence.) The seven coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. The mnemonic device FANBOYS is useful to remember them. |
A subordinating conjunction is used to
connect a subordinate or dependent clause to an independent clause. Subordinating conjunctions can either come at the beginning of a sentence or somewhere in the middle. Common subordinating conjunctions are: after, although, as, as if, as long as, because, before, despite, even if, even though, if, in order that, rather than, since, so that, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, whether, and while. |
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Common correlative conjunctions are: as ... as both ... and either ... or neither ... nor not only ... but also rather ... than whether ... or |
| Examples: Two independent clauses: -She may be at home. -She may be at work. A coordinating conjunction can connect the two clauses: -She may be at home, or she may be at work. -The sweater is dirty and full of holes. |
Examples: -I know how to swim. -My dad taught me. -I know how to swim because my dad taught me. -Because my dad taught me, I know how to swim. -I can't buy a car. -I have enough money. -I can't buy a car until I have enough money. |
Examples: -She is either at home or at work. -He'd rather stay at home than go to school. -Eat your vegetables whether you like them or not! -Both the father and the son are pilots. |
| Comma usage: A comma is used before the conjunction when connecting two independent clauses. If the clauses are not independent, no comma is used. |
Comma usage: If a subordinating clause begins a sentence, a comma is placed after it. |
Comma usage: No commas are used. |
See also:
correlative conjunctions
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