Conjunctions are the joining words that hold a sentence together — they link words, phrases, and whole ideas. Think and, but, or, because, and although.
A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases, or whole sentences together. Conjunctions are the glue of language — they connect ideas so your sentences flow instead of stopping and starting.
Without conjunctions you'd be stuck with short, choppy sentences: "I wanted pizza. I wanted tacos. We were out of cheese." Conjunctions let you join those ideas smoothly.
Conjunctions come in three types: coordinating (join equal parts), subordinating (attach a less-important idea to a main one), and correlative (work in pairs). We'll meet each one next.
Coordinating conjunctions join two equal parts — two words, two phrases, or two complete sentences. There are exactly seven, and they spell a handy word: FANBOYS.
| Word | Shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For | reason | She smiled, for she was happy. |
| And | addition | bread and butter |
| Nor | negative addition | not cats nor dogs |
| But | contrast | small but mighty |
| Or | choice | tea or coffee |
| Yet | contrast | tired yet cheerful |
| So | result | It rained, so we stayed in. |
A subordinating conjunction attaches a dependent clause (an idea that can't stand on its own) to a main clause (a complete sentence). It usually shows when, why, or under what condition something happens.
Notice that "Because it was late" can't stand alone — it leaves you waiting for the rest. That's what makes it a dependent clause, and the conjunction is what hooks it onto the main idea.
when, after, before, while, until, since
because, since, as
if, unless, whether
although, though, while, whereas
Words like after, before, and since can also be prepositions. The test: if the word leads a clause with its own subject and verb ("before the show started"), it's a conjunction. If it's just followed by a noun ("before the show"), it's a preposition.
Correlative conjunctions are tag-team pairs that work together to connect two balanced parts of a sentence.
| Pair | Example |
|---|---|
| both … and | Both the cat and the dog were asleep. |
| either … or | Either we leave now or we miss the bus. |
| neither … nor | Neither rain nor snow stopped them. |
| not only … but also | She is not only kind but also brave. |
| whether … or | I can't decide whether to stay or go. |
The two parts a correlative pair joins should match in form. Say "not only kind but also brave" (adjective + adjective), not "not only kind but also she is brave." Balance makes it sound right.
Conjunctions and commas are partners. Here are the three rules that cover almost every case:
When a coordinating conjunction joins two complete sentences, put a comma before it: "I called her, but she didn't answer."
When a subordinating clause comes first, follow it with a comma: "Because I was tired, I went to bed." (No comma when it comes second: "I went to bed because I was tired.")
Don't add a comma when and or or simply links two words or short phrases: "bread and butter," "now or never."
Some words act like conjunctions but are really adverbs in disguise: however, therefore, moreover, meanwhile, nevertheless, otherwise, instead. They connect ideas — but they need stronger punctuation.
A true conjunction can join two sentences with just a comma. A conjunctive adverb needs a semicolon (or a period) before it, plus a comma after.
| Type | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Conjunction (but) | comma before | It rained, but we went out. |
| Conjunctive adverb (however) | semicolon before, comma after | It rained; however, we went out. |
Joining two complete sentences with only a comma and a word like however is a common mistake: "It rained, however, we went out." Swap that first comma for a semicolon and you're set.
Pick your conjunction based on the relationship you want to show between the two ideas:
and, both…and, not only…but also
or, either…or, whether…or
but, yet, although, though
because, since, as, for
so, therefore
when, after, before, while, until
Read each sentence and tap the conjunction that best fits the meaning. Think about the relationship between the two ideas!
Click or tap every conjunction in each sentence — the joining words. Some sentences have a correlative pair, so look for both halves!