Home

A-Z Grammar Terms

Grammar Monster
search our site by Craig Shrives

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are joiners. They are used to join words, phrases, or
clauses. "And," "but," and "or" are three common conjunctions.

A conjunction joining words:

 Jack and Jill went up the hill.
(The conjunction "and" joins the words "Jack" and "Jill.")

A conjunction joining phrases:

 Toby is a highly intelligent but sometimes quiet boy.
(The conjunction "but" joins the phrases "highly intelligent"
and "sometimes quiet.")

A conjunction joining clauses:

 You can prepare the salad, or you can clean the floor.
(The conjunction "or" joins the clauses "You can prepare the
salad" and "you can clean the floor.")
When used correctly, conjunctions always join like with like (i.e., they join
words of the same kind).
 Table of Contents
 Types of Conjunction
 Examples of Conjunctions
 Why Coordinating Conjunctions Are Important
 Why Subordinating Conjunctions Are Important
 Why Correlative Conjunctions Are Important
 Video Lesson
 Printable Test
Types of Conjunction
"And," "but," and "or" are classified as coordinating conjunctions. There
are three types of conjunction:
 Coordinating Conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions
join like with like. For example, they join a noun with another
noun or an adjective with another adjective. The most
common ones are "and," "but," and "or." There are seven in
total: "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet," and "so." (You can
remember them using the mnemonic F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.)
 Subordinating Conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions
join subordinate clauses to main clauses. Common
examples are "although," "because," "if," "since," "unless,"
"until," and "while."
 Correlative Conjunctions. Correlative conjunctions are
used in pairs to join alternatives or equal elements. The
most common pairs are "either/or," "neither/nor," and "not
only/but also."

Select the Type of Conjunction

It's your go! Select whether the conjunction in bold is a coordinating
conjunction, a subordinating conjunction, or a correlative conjunction.
1. I love fish and chips.

2. He is not only clever but also handsome.

3. Keep running until you hear the whistle.

4. If you ask me again, I will leave.

5. I can neither see you nor hear you.

6. Shut up or get out!

Examples of Conjunctions
Here are some examples of coordinating conjunctions (shaded):
 The comment was blunt but effective.
(The conjunction joins two adjectives.)
 Familiarity breeds contempt and children.
(The conjunction joins two nouns.)
Here are some examples of subordinating conjunctions:
 We'll stay in the car until the hail stops.
 I'm leaving if Lee starts telling us about that bass again.
Here are some examples of correlative conjunctions:
  I could neither laugh nor cry.
 She was not only smart but also beautiful.

More Examples of Conjunctions

Real-Life Examples of Coordinating

Conjunctions
Here are some real-life examples of coordinating
conjunctions (shaded):
 If a man should challenge me to a duel, I would take him
kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet
place to kill him. (Writer Mark Twain)
(Here, the first conjunction joins two adverbs ("kindly and
forgivingly"). The second joins two verbs ("take and lead").)
 The best solutions are often simple yet unexpected. (Rock
musician Julian Casablancas)
 He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the
wealth of nature. (Greek philosopher Socrates)
Show me an infographic
Read more about coordinating conjunctions.

Real-Life Examples of Subordinating

Conjunctions
The role of the subordinating conjunction and subordinate clause is to
establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition or a concession for the
main clause. Below are some real-life examples of subordinating
conjunctions. (In these examples, the subordinating conjunctions are
highlighted and the subordinate clause is bolded.)
 I find television very educating. Every time somebody
turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
(Comedian Groucho Marx)
 (The subordinate clause establishes a time for the main
clause.)
 Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love
of humanity. (Greek physician Hippocrates)
(The subordinate clause establishes a place for the main
clause.)
 People are more violently opposed to fur than
leather because it's safer to harass rich women than
motorcycle gangs.
(The subordinate clause establishes a reason for the main
clause.)
 Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not
quite clear to him. (Author Paul Eldridge)
(The subordinate clause establishes a condition for the main
clause.)
 I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like
being taught. (Sir Winston Churchill)
(The subordinate clause establishes a concession for the
main clause.)
When a sentence has a main clause (also called an independent clause)
and at least one subordinate clause (also called a dependent clause), it
is known as a complex sentence.

Show me an infographic
Read more about subordinating conjunctions.

Real-Life Examples of Correlative

Conjunctions
 Flowers are restful to look at. They
have neither emotions nor conflicts. (Austrian neurologist
Sigmund Freud)
 Education is not only the filling of a pail but also the lighting
of a fire. (Irish poet William Butler Yeats)
  It is not death but dying which is terrible. (Author Henry
Fielding)
Show me an infographic
Read more about correlative conjunctions.

Click on the Two Conjunctions

(Interactive Game)
strictly

since

paws

greatly

defiant

even if

fawn

worriedly

proud

Try our drag and drop test on conjunctions.

Take a find-the-word test on conjunctions.

Why Coordinating Conjunctions Are

Important
There are two common questions related to coordinating conjunctions:

(Question 1) Do you put a comma before

"and"?
Mostly no but sometimes yes. Unfortunately, the answer to this question
isn't short. Here is a summary of the rules:
The Rule for Two Items
When "and" (or any coordinating conjunction) joins two items, don't use
a comma.
 Lee has eaten all the cheese and biscuits.
The whole world agrees on this point. So far so good. However, if you
think it helps your reader, you can use a comma.
 The Bakerloo line runs between Elephant and
Castle, and Harrow and Wealdstone.
(Using a comma with two list items is fairly common. It
happens when the list items themselves contain commas. In
this example, the comma before "and" helps readers to spot
the list items faster. They could work it out, but the comma
helps.)
 I used to watch Colombo, and Cagney and Lacey.
(This example also has two list items: "Colombo" and
"Cagney and Lacey." This time, the comma is more
important because the list items could feasibly be "Colombo
and Cagney" and "Lacey".)
So, in summary, don't use a comma when "and" (or any other
coordinating conjunction) joins two items unless it helps your readers.

There's an important exception to this rule though. It's important because

it's common.

The Exception to the Rule for Two Items

When your coordinate conjunction joins two (or more) independent
clauses (i.e., ones that could stand alone as individual sentences), then
use a comma.
 I like sweet things, but I prefer savoury dishes.
(Here, the clauses being joined (shown in bold) could stand
alone as sentences. They are independent clauses. That's
why there is a comma before "but.")
Compare that with this:
 I like sweet things but prefer savoury dishes.
(This is similar, but "prefer savoury dishes" is not an
independent clause. It's not a sentence. That's why there's
no comma before "but.")
Here are some real-life examples:
 The lion and the calf shall lie down together, but the calf
won't get much sleep. (Film director Woody Allen)
(The first coordinating conjunction ("and") joins two nouns,
so no comma is required. The second ("but") joins two
independent clauses, so a comma is required.)
 Basically, my wife was immature. I'd be at home in my
bath, and she'd come in and sink my boats. (Woody
Allen)
(The first coordinating conjunction ("and") joins two
independent clauses, so a comma is required. The second
("and") joins two verbs, so no comma is required.)
Hopefully, that's all clear. But, there's a quirk: If the two "sentences" (i.e.,
the independent clauses) are both short, it is acceptable – for style
purposes – to omit the comma.
 Craig caught a bass and Lee caught a goby.
 Craig caught a bass, and Lee caught a goby.
(Both versions are acceptable.)
Look at this though:
 The man caught the boy and the girl caught the dog.
(For a fleeting moment, your readers will think that the man
caught "the boy and the girl". You should try to write in a
way that doesn't cause your readers to stutter.)
 The man caught the boy, and the girl caught the dog.
(Your readers will not need to re-adjust now. This example
captures why we need a comma before a coordinating
conjunction that joins two independent clauses.)
The Rule for Three or More Items
When there are three or more list items, life starts getting a little more
complicated because there is no unified position on whether to use a
comma with the coordinating conjunction.

Some people will write this:

 Bacon, eggs, and tomatoes
(The comma before the "and" is called an Oxford Comma.
This is the convention followed by most (but not all)
Americans.)
Some people will write this:
 Bacon, eggs and tomatoes
(This is the convention followed by most (but not all) Brits.
The most notable exception is the Oxford University Press,
after which the Oxford Comma is named.)
There are plenty of people out there who would happily start a fight with
you for not using an Oxford Comma, but there are also plenty of others
who consider the Oxford Comma a waste of printer ink. In essence, it's a
battle of clarity versus economy.

Advocates of the Oxford Comma claim it eliminates ambiguity. They

have a point. The Oxford Comma is certainly useful for showing the
separations between the list items.
 It's a good price for a mug of tea, bacon and eggs and toast
(Without an Oxford Comma, this could mean (1) a mug of
tea, (2) bacon, and (3) eggs and toast.)
 It's a good price for a mug of tea, bacon and eggs, and toast
(With an Oxford Comma, the list items are clear.)
Protestors to the Oxford Comma claim it introduces ambiguity
because commas can be used like parentheses (brackets). Look at
these two sentences:
 Jack left the pub with John (a policeman) and Simon.
  Jack left the pub with John, a policeman, and Simon.
(With an Oxford Comma, this could feasibly refer to two
people (like in the top example) or three people.)
Advocates claim that the Oxford Comma actually eliminates, not creates,
such ambiguity, and they routinely cite this probably apocryphal book
dedication:
 This book is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand and God.
(This could feasibly be read as "...my parents (Ayn Rand
and God)". The same "ambiguity" wouldn't exist with an
Oxford Comma before "and.")
So, there are arguments for and against the Oxford Comma. As it
happens, you probably don't have a choice whether to adopt the Oxford
Comma or not. If you live in the UK, you probably shouldn't adopt it
(unless you're at Oxford). If you live in the US, you probably should.
Whatever convention you go for, be consistent.

Well, actually, be flexibly consistent. If your chosen convention creates

ambiguity, break the convention. There's only one 100% rule when it
comes to the Oxford Comma: clarity trumps convention.

In other words, everyone (regardless of what convention they follow)

should write this when they mean four people:
I have the twins, Joe, and Callum. (for four people)
Remember that clarity comes first. Loyalty to, or hatred of, the Oxford
Comma comes second.

(Question 2) Can you start a sentence with

"And" or "But?
Despite what you may have been told at school, you can start a
sentence with a conjunction like "And," "Or" and "But."

Bear in mind though that a conjunction at the start of a sentence looks

quite striking, so don't do it too often (it gets annoying quickly). However,
you should definitely keep this practice in your back pocket to create an
impactful start to your sentence. Think of it like this:

"And" is an impactful way of saying "In addition"

"But" is an impactful way of saying "However"
"Or" is an impactful way of saying "Put another way"

Here are some real-life examples:

 And let every other power know that this hemisphere
intends to remain the master of its own house. (US
President John F Kennedy)
 I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But, this wasn't it.
(Comedian Groucho Marx)
When a conjunction starts a sentence, you could argue it's not being
used to join like terms but as a link between two sentences (i.e., like
a conjunctive adverb such as "however," "consequently," and
"therefore").

So, the real question is not whether you can use a coordinating
conjunction to start a sentence but whether "and," "but" and "or" are
conjunctive adverbs as well as coordinating conjunctions. And, it seems
they are.

Therefore, should you put a comma after your conjunction like you do
with a conjunctive adverb? Well, that's up to you. If you want a pause, go
for it. If you don't, don't.
 It is better to be beautiful than to be good. But, it is better to
be good than to be ugly. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)
(The comma after "But" provides a pause. It's not a
grammar thing. It's a controlling-the-flow-of-text thing.)
 And I will always love you. (Singer Whitney Houston)
(There's no pause for Whitney.)
Read more about commas in lists.
 Key Points for Coordinating Conjunctions
 Don't use a comma with a coordinating conjunction that
joins two items.
 Don't use a comma with a coordinating conjunction in a list
of three or more items (unless you're American or studying
at Oxford).
 Break both of the rules above if using or omitting a comma
makes the text clearer.
 Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins
two independent clauses.
 You can start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction,
and you can put a comma after it if you want a pause. But,
don't start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction too
often. It gets annoying.

Why Subordinating Conjunctions Are

Important
As a native English speaker, you don't need to worry about whether your
subordinating conjunction is heading up a clause that establishes a time,
a place, a reason, a condition, or a concession. You'll do that bit
naturally.

The most common question related to subordinating conjunctions is

whether to offset the subordinate clause with a comma or not. Here's the
guidance:

When a subordinate clause starts a sentence, separate it from the main

clause with a comma. In each example, the subordinating conjunction is
shaded and the subordinate clause is bold.
 If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer?
(Comedian Steven Wright)
 Now that I'm over sixty, I'm veering toward
respectability. (Actress Shelley Winters)
These are often called "fronted subordinate clauses." A comma is used
with a fronted subordinate clause because the comma makes it clear
where the main clause starts.

When a subordinate clause ends a sentence, you can drop the comma.
 Should you use a silencer if you shoot at mimes?
 I'm veering toward respectability now that I'm over sixty.
There's a quirk though: You can use a comma for a deliberate pause.

As a rule, try to resist using a comma before a subordinating

conjunction. However, if you want to create a pause for effect, then a
comma can be used.
 Money is better than poverty, if only for financial
reasons. (Film director Woody Allen)
 Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not
quite clear to him.
If you were told at school that a comma represents a pause, then your
teacher was giving you reading advice not writing advice. There are
specific rules on using commas and "to create a pause" isn't one of
them, even though you'd likely get many right if you adopted that rule.
That said, this is a time when a comma can be used to create a pause.
That's why it's a quirk. It's also pretty common.

Let's complicate the issue a bit. The rule that states "do not use a
comma when subordinate clause follows the independent clause" is not
really the rule. The real rule is "use a comma if the clause is
nonessential." The problem, however, is that it's really difficult to decide
whether an adverbial clause is essential or nonessential. (It is much
easier with adjective clauses.) As the vast majority of adverbial clauses
are essential, it's pretty safe, but not entirely safe, to declare that a post-
positioned (as it's called when it's at the back) subordinate clause isn't
preceded by a comma.Read more about commas with subordinate (or
dependent) clauses.
 Key Points for Subordinating Conjunctions
 If your subordinate conjunction heads up a clause at the
start of your sentence, offset the clause with a comma.
 If your subordinate conjunction heads up a clause at the
back of your sentence, don't use a comma, unless you want
a pause for effect (like this one).

Why Correlative Conjunctions Are Important

Correlative conjunctions are useful for keeping your writing succinct.
They not only provide a succinct structure to say two things but also
express how those two things relate to each other.

Generally, correlative conjunctions don't cause native English speakers

too much grief, but there are four noteworthy issues associated with
correlative conjunctions.

(Issue 1) Keep a parallel structure.

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs. You must use the same type of
word after each one in the pair.
 Lee not only likes pies but also cakes.
(Here, the first conjunction in the pair sits before a verb
("likes"), but the second sits before a noun ("cakes"). It's not
parallel. It's untidy.)
 He should either sell his watch or his car.
(Here, the first conjunction sits before a verb ("sell"), but the
second sits before a noun ("his car"). It's not parallel.
Untidy.)
 Lee likes not only pies but also cakes.
 He should sell either his watch or his car.
 (In these examples, the first and second conjunctions sit
before nouns. Both examples now have parallel structures.
Tidy.)
 Lee not only likes pies but also likes cakes.
 He should either pawn his watch or sell his car.
(In these examples, the first and second conjunctions sit
before verbs. Parallel. Tidy.)
In truth, few people would describe a non-parallel structure with
correlative conjunctions as a serious error, and you'd be unlikely to
create ambiguity if you committed that "crime". Nevertheless, try to use
parallel terms because, firstly, parallel structures are easier to read and,
secondly, you will feel some comfort knowing your sentence structure is
sound.

(Issue 2) Don't use commas with correlative

conjunctions. (Beware the exceptions!)
Sometimes, writers are unsure whether to use a comma with correlative
conjunctions. This question arises most often with the pairing "not
only/but also." Here's the rule: Don't use commas with correlative
conjunctions.
 Lee likes not only pies, but also cakes.
Unfortunately, it's a little bit more complicated than that. Here's the
exception: If the second conjunction sits before an independent clause
(i.e., words that could be a standalone sentence), then use a comma.
 As a father has compassion on his children, so God has
compassion on those who fear him. (Bible, Psalm 103:13)
It is rare for an independent clause to follow a correlative conjunction,
but it does happen, especially with the pairing "not only/but also."
 Not only does Lee like pies, but he also likes cakes.
(Note that the subject of the independent clause ("he") splits
"but also." This is necessary because the word "but" is
playing two roles. We know it is part of the correlative
 conjunction "not only/but also," but, in this sentence, it's also
a coordinating conjunction. Remember that coordinating
conjunctions (e.g., "and," "or," "but") are used to join like
elements. Here, it's joining two independent clauses.)
Also, be mindful that you might find yourself using a comma before a
correlative conjunction because the comma is needed for another
reason.
 Lee likes not only pies, especially cheese and onion, but
also cakes.
(Here, the commas are offsetting "especially cheese and
onion," which is just some additional information (called
a parenthesis). So, the comma before "but also" has got
nothing to do with correlative conjunctions.)

(Issue 3) Be careful with subject-verb

agreement.
When the pairing "either/or" or "neither/nor" features in the subject of a
verb, the verb is singular if both elements are singular.
 Neither the inspector nor the constable was available for
comment.
(Both elements ("the inspector" and "the constable") are
singular, so the verb ("was") is singular; i.e., using "were"
would be wrong.)
However, things get complicated if one of the elements is plural because
there are two conventions:

Convention 1: The Proximity Rule. Under this convention, the element

nearest the verb determines whether it's singular or plural.
 Neither the inspector nor the constables were available for
comment.
(The element nearest the verb ("constables") is plural, so
the verb ("were") is plural.)
Convention 2: The Logic Rule. Under this convention, if any of the
elements are plural, the verb is plural.
 Neither the inspectors nor the constable were available for
comment.
(Here, the first element ("inspectors") is plural, so the verb is
plural. This would be wrong using The Proximity Rule.)
So, should you use the Proximity Rule or the Logic Rule if one of your
elements is plural? Well, both are common, so the quick answer is pick
one and be consistent. But, there's a far better answer: satisfy both rules
at once. If one of your elements is plural, deliberately put it nearest to the
verb.
 Either the budgies or the cat have to go.
(This is correct under the Logic Rule but wrong under the
Proximity Rule.)
 Either the cat or the budgies have to go.
(Here, the plural element is nearest to the verb. This is now
correct under both rules. Winner.)
This all applies to "or" by itself (i.e., without "either").

(Issue 4) Don't forget that "neither/nor" plays a

negative role.
Be aware that "neither/nor" plays a negative role in your sentence. Be
careful not to use a double negative.
 We did not discuss neither the flooding nor the landslide.
(This is a double negative.)
Remember that two negatives make a positive. So, the example above
means that the flooding and the landslide were discussed, which would
not have been the intended meaning. Here are two better options:
 We discussed neither the flooding nor the landslide.
 We did not discuss either the flooding or the landslide.
Of course, two positives don't make a negative, but it can happen. Yeah,
right.

Key Points for Correlative Conjunctions

 Position your correlative conjunctions in your sentence so
the same type of word follows each one. In other words, use
a parallel structure.
 Don't use a comma with a correlative conjunction unless the
words after it could be a standalone sentence (i.e., contain a
subject and a verb and convey a complete idea).
 Treat a subject that features "either/or" or "neither/nor" as
singular if the elements after the conjunctions are singular. If
one is plural, put it nearest to the verb and use a plural verb.
 Don't use a negative verb with "neither/nor" otherwise you'll
create a double negative.

Video Lesson
Here is a 12-minute video summarizing this lesson on conjunctions.

Printable Test
0

0
1
not attempted

What is a conjunction?
A. A word used to join words or groups of words together.
B. A word that expresses the relationship between two other nearby
words.
 2
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

A. And
B. On
C. About
3
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

A. In
B. Or
C. The
4
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

To

succeed

in

life
,
you

need

three

things
:
a

wishbone
,
a

backbone
,
and

funny

bone
.
5
not attempted

Select the coordinating conjunction:

Every

day

is

good

day

to

be

alive
,
whether

the
sun's

shining

or

not
.
6
not attempted

Select the correlative conjunction:

A. and...but
B. whether...or
C. not only...if
7
not attempted

Select the first conjunction:

I

may

be

drunk
,
Miss
,
but

in

the

morning

will

be

sober

and

you

will
still

be

ugly
.
8
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

A. Yet
B. An
C. Yes
9
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

Compliments

cost

nothing
,
yet

many
pay

dear

for

them
.
10
not attempted

Select the sentence with a correlative conjunction.

A. Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.
B. Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor
conflicts.
11
not attempted

What is a subordinating conjunction?

A. A word only used to join individual words.
B. A word used to show the relationship between an independent clause
and a dependent clause.
12
not attempted

Select the subordinating conjunction:

A. And
B. Because
C. Either
13
not attempted

Select the sentence with a conjunction.

A. You have to endure to conquer.
B. Conquer, but don't triumph.
14
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

I'm

on

performance

enhancing

drugs
,
so

I
may

cause

drowsiness
.
15
not attempted

Select the sentence with a correlative conjunction.

A. Life is either a great adventure or nothing.
B. It's never too late in life to have a genuine adventure.
16
not attempted

Select the conjunction:

Give

girl

the

right
shoes
,
and

she

can

conquer

the

world
.
17
not attempted

What type of conjunction is the word "although"?

A. Correlative conjunction
B. Subordinating conjunction
C. Coordinating conjunction
18
not attempted

True or false? You should never put a comma before "and."

A. True
B. False

0
sources: https://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/conjunctions.htm

share

copy
Next lesson

Next lesson >