Conjunctions in English: Grammar Rules, Usage & Examples

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English – Intermediate, English Conjunctions

Conjunctions in English

Conjunctions are the glue that holds sentences together. They connect words, phrases, clauses, and even entire sentences, making our communication smoother and more coherent. Whether you’re writing an essay, having a conversation, or crafting a story, conjunctions are essential for creating flow and clarity.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of conjunctions, their usage, and provide plenty of examples to help you master this crucial aspect of English grammar.

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, or clauses. They help to express relationships between ideas, such as addition, contrast, cause, and effect. Without conjunctions, sentences would feel choppy and disconnected.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three main types of conjunctions in English:

Coordinating Conjunctions
These connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. The most common coordinating conjunctions are remembered by the acronym FANBOYS:
- For: I stayed home, for it was raining.
- And: I like apples, and I like oranges.
- Nor: I don’t like tea, nor do I like coffee.
- But: I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
- Or: Would you like tea or coffee?
- Yet: He is young, yet he is very wise.
- So: It was raining, so I took an umbrella.
Subordinating Conjunctions
These connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing a relationship like time, cause, or condition. Examples include:
- Although: Although it was cold, we went outside.
- Because: I stayed home because it was raining.
- Since: Since you’re here, let’s start the meeting.
- Unless: You won’t succeed unless you work hard.
- While: While I was cooking, the phone rang.
Correlative Conjunctions
These work in pairs to connect words or phrases. Examples include:
- Either…or: You can either stay or leave.
- Neither…nor: Neither John nor Mary came to the party.
- Both…and: Both Tom and Jerry are funny.
- Not only…but also: Not only is she talented, but she is also kind.

Situations Where Conjunctions Are Used

Conjunctions are used in a variety of situations, including:

Adding information: “I like tea, and I like coffee.”
Showing contrast: “She is tired, but she keeps working.”
Expressing cause and effect: “He stayed home because it was raining.”
Providing alternatives: “You can have either cake or ice cream.”
Indicating time: “I will call you when I arrive.”
Expressing conditions: “If you study, you will pass the exam.”

List of Conjunctions with Examples

Here’s a table of common conjunctions with two example sentences for each:

Conjunction	Example Sentences
And	I like apples, and I like oranges.
	She is smart, and she is kind.
But	I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
	He is rich, but he is not happy.
Or	Would you like tea or coffee?
	You can stay here, or you can leave.
So	It was raining, so I took an umbrella.
	She was hungry, so she ate a sandwich.
Yet	He is young, yet he is very wise.
	She studied hard, yet she failed the exam.
For	I stayed home, for it was raining.
	She was late, for she missed the bus.
Nor	I don’t like tea, nor do I like coffee.
	He didn’t call, nor did he text.
Because	I stayed home because it was raining.
	She cried because she was sad.
Although	Although it was cold, we went outside.
	She passed the exam, although she didn’t study.
Unless	You won’t succeed unless you work hard.
	I won’t go unless you come with me.
Either…or	You can either stay or leave.
	Either you apologize, or I will not forgive you.
Neither…nor	Neither John nor Mary came to the party.
	I neither smoke nor drink.
Both…and	Both Tom and Jerry are funny.
	She is both smart and hardworking.
Not only…but also	Not only is she talented, but she is also kind.
	He not only sings but also dances.

More Example Sentences

I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
She is not only intelligent but also very creative.
Unless you hurry, we will miss the train.
Both my brother and my sister are coming to the party.
Although he was tired, he finished the project.
You can have either pizza or pasta for dinner.
I don’t like carrots, nor do I like broccoli.
She was late because her car broke down.
I will call you when I reach home.
He is poor, yet he is very generous.

Fill in the Blanks

I like tea, ______ I don’t like coffee.
She is tired, ______ she is still working.
You can have ______ cake ______ ice cream.
______ it was raining, we went for a walk.
I will go to the party ______ you come with me.
He is ______ smart ______ hardworking.
______ you study, you will pass the exam.
I don’t like apples, ______ do I like bananas.
She was late ______ she missed the bus.
______ only does he sing, ______ he also dances.

Answers:

but
but
either, or
Although
if
both, and
If
nor
because
Not, but

Things to Keep in Mind

Placement: Conjunctions like “and,” “but,” and “or” are usually placed between the words or clauses they connect.
Punctuation: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses.
Avoid Overuse: Using too many conjunctions can make your writing repetitive.
Gender Neutrality: Conjunctions are gender-neutral and can be used for any subject.
Clarity: Ensure that the conjunction you choose accurately reflects the relationship between the ideas.

Conclusion

Conjunctions are a fundamental part of English grammar, helping to create smooth, logical, and well-structured sentences. By understanding the different types of conjunctions and their uses, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills. Practice using conjunctions in various contexts, and soon they’ll become second nature.

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