English

Conjunctions

Introduction

Conjunctions are essential components of English grammar that help in connecting words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. By joining elements together, conjunctions provide clarity, coherence, and logical flow to writing and speech.

Types of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect elements of equal grammatical importance, such as two independent clauses, words, or phrases.

Examples:

and: She likes to read, and she enjoys writing.
but: He wanted to go to the party, but he was too tired.
or: You can have tea or coffee.
so: It was raining, so we stayed indoors.
nor: She doesn’t like apples, nor does she enjoy oranges.
for: She was late, for the traffic was heavy.
yet: He is small, yet he is very strong.

Mnemonic: FANBOYS — For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect dependent clauses to independent clauses, indicating a relationship between the two.

Examples:

because: She stayed home because she was sick.
although: Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
unless: You won’t succeed unless you try.
if: If you need help, just ask.
since: He has been unhappy since he moved away.

Correlative Conjunctions

These are paired conjunctions that work together to connect equal elements in a sentence.

Examples:

either...or: You can either stay or leave.
neither...nor: Neither the manager nor the employees knew about the change.
both...and: Both the teacher and the students were excited.
not only...but also: She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
whether...or: Whether you like it or not, the decision is final.

Common Conjunctions and Their Uses

Conjunction	Type	Example
and	Coordinating	She plays guitar and sings.
but	Coordinating	He is fast, but he gets tired quickly.
or	Coordinating	Do you want pizza or pasta?
so	Coordinating	It was late, so we left the party.
because	Subordinating	I’m leaving early because I have a meeting.
although	Subordinating	Although it was cold, we went swimming.
if	Subordinating	If you finish your work, we can go out.
when	Subordinating	Call me when you arrive.
unless	Subordinating	Don’t call me unless it’s important.
since	Subordinating	I’ve known him since we were kids.
either...or	Correlative	Either you apologize or face the consequences.
neither...nor	Correlative	Neither Jane nor Tom was at the meeting.
both...and	Correlative	Both the book and the movie were great.
not only...but also	Correlative	She is not only a teacher but also a writer.
whether...or	Correlative	Whether it rains or shines, we’ll go hiking.

Conclusion

Conjunctions are vital tools in structuring sentences and connecting ideas. By using conjunctions effectively, you can create more cohesive and coherent communication.

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