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Using Conjunctions | Definition, Rules & Examples
Using Conjunctions | Definition, Rules &
Examples
Published on October 23, 2022 by Amy Luo. Revised on March 8, 2023.
A conjunction is a word that is used to connect words, phrases, and clauses. There are
many conjunctions in the English language, but some common ones include
and, or, but, because, for, if, and when.
There are three basic types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.
Because the popstar caught a terrible cold, her upcoming performances in Boston and
Chicago were indefinitely postponed. The tour organizers provided neither rescheduled
dates nor refunds for the tickets, causing much discontent among the fans.
Table of contents
Coordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions
Starting a sentence with a conjunction
Other interesting language articles
Coordinating conjunctions
This type of conjunction is used to connect items that are grammatically equal: two words,
two phrases, or two independent clauses. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in
English, and you can remember them using the mnemonic device FANBOYS: for, and, nor,
but, or, yet, so.
A conjunction of this type is placed between the items that it links together.
Words
Coordinating conjunctions can join two nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other types of word.
The data was gathered through questionnaires and interviews.
I don’t like to run or swim.
He was clever but lazy.
Phrases
They can also join different types of phrases.
The dog wagged his tail and panted excitedly.
The results were undeniably intriguing yet ultimately inconclusive.
She usually studies in the library or at a cafe.
Independent clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains at least a subject and a verb. An independent
clause can stand on its own as a full sentence, expressing a complete thought.
Today Jane Austen is one of the most widely read English novelists, but she achieved
little fame during her lifetime.
In the sentence above, the coordinating conjunction but creates a relationship between
two independent clauses. Therefore, you place a comma before but. Notice that the two
clauses also work as sentences on their own.
Today Jane Austen is one of the most widely read English novelists. She achieved
little fame during her lifetime.
Punctuating coordinating conjunctions
When joining two words or phrases with a coordinating conjunction, do not use a comma.
Comma error Correction
Data was gathered through questionnaires, and Data was gathered through questionnaires
interviews. and interviews.
She usually studies in the library, or at a cafe. She usually studies in the library or at a cafe.
In these examples, the conjunction joins two words or phrases that are connected to a
single verb (gathered and studies), so you shouldn’t place a comma before and.
When joining two independent clauses, however, use a comma before the conjunction.
Comma error Correction
Data was gathered through questionnaires and Data was gathered through questionnaires,
selected respondents participated in and selected respondents participated in
interviews. interviews.
She usually studies in the library but when it is She usually studies in the library, but when it is
too busy she goes to a cafe. too busy she goes to a cafe.
In these examples, the clauses before and after the conjunction could both stand as full
sentences on their own, so a comma is required.
Subordinating conjunctions
This type of conjunction includes words like because, if, although, since, until, and while. A
subordinating conjunction is used to introduce a dependent clause.
In contrast to an independent clause, a dependent clause (also known as a subordinate
clause) is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand as a
complete sentence on its own. A dependent clause does not express a complete idea, so it
must always be attached to an independent clause.
Because I woke up late this morning. I went to school without eating breakfast.
Because I woke up late this morning, I went to school without eating breakfast.
I went to school without eating breakfast because I woke up late this morning.
I woke up late this morning is an independent clause, but the subordinating
conjunction because turns it into a dependent clause: Because I woke up late this morning
does not finish a complete thought. It must be joined to an independent clause to form a
grammatically correct sentence.
The subordinating conjunction defines the relationship between the clauses. The table
below shows some common subordinating conjunctions and the relationships they
express, but note that this is not a complete list.
Relationship Common subordinating conjunctions
Cause and effect because, since, as
Time when, before, after, once, until, whenever, since, while
Place where, wherever
Condition if, unless, in case
Contrast although, though, whereas
Punctuating subordinating conjunctions
When a subordinating conjunction follows an independent clause, a comma is often not
necessary. In general, when the dependent clause contains essential information about the
independent clause, don’t use a comma.
Comma error Correction
She will receive a major bonus, if she succeeds She will receive a major bonus if she succeeds
in closing the corporate partnership deal. in closing the corporate partnership deal.
John’s friends snuck into his apartment to set John’s friends snuck into his apartment to set
up a surprise party, while he was at work. up a surprise party while he was at work.
However, when the subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of the sentence, use
a comma at the end of the dependent clause.
Comma error Correction
If she succeeds in closing the corporate If she succeeds in closing the corporate
partnership deal she will receive a major partnership deal, she will receive a major
bonus. bonus.
While John was at work his friends snuck into While John was at work, his friends snuck into
his apartment to set up a surprise party. his apartment to set up a surprise party.
Correlative conjunctions
This type of conjunction always comes in a pair and is used to join grammatically equal
elements in a sentence. Common pairs include either … or, neither … nor, not only … but
also, and both … and. In most cases, no comma should be used between the two elements.
Her book on the Vietnam War drew not only from interviews with other survivors but
also from her own experiences in the conflict.
Correlative conjunctions must use parallel structure, which means the two elements should
take the same grammatical form.
She planned to collect data by either using an online survey or phone interviews.
She planned to collect data by either using an online survey or conducting phone
interviews.
Starting a sentence with a conjunction
Beginner writers are often taught that sentences should not begin with a coordinating
conjunction. However, it is not strictly incorrect to begin a sentence with a conjunction, and
you may find it used effectively by skilled writers to create emphasis.
Governments often seek to gain favor from voters by prioritising economic development
over environmental sustainability. But at what cost to the planet and future generations?
While such usage has become acceptable in popular and literary language, it is generally
best avoided in academic writing where possible.
A subordinating conjunction can come at the start of a sentence, but only if the dependent
clause is followed by an independent clause.
Until the company reaches a satisfactory agreement with the union, the workers will
remain on strike.
A dependent clause on its own is known as a sentence fragment.
How long will the strike go on for? Until the company reaches a satisfactory agreement
with the union.
Although fragments are often used in speech and informal writing, they should generally
be avoided in academic writing.
Other interesting language articles
If you want to know more about nouns, pronouns, verbs, and other parts of speech, make
sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations and examples.
Nouns & pronouns Verbs Other
Common nouns Verb tenses Articles
Proper nouns Phrasal verbs Interjections
Collective nouns Types of verbs Adjectives
Personal pronouns Active vs passive Determiners
Uncountable and voice Prepositions
countable nouns Subject-verb
agreement
Sources in this article
We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article
(APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.
This Scribbr article
Luo, A. (2023, March 08). Using Conjunctions | Definition, Rules & Examples.
Scribbr. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from Cite this article
https://www.scribbr.com/parts-of-speech/conjunctions/
Sources
Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar. Oxford University Press.
Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.).
Oxford University Press.
Show all sources (3)
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Amy Luo
Amy has a master’s degree in History of Art and has been working as a
freelance writer and editor since 2014. She is passionate about helping people
communicate clearly and effectively.
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