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There are several different types of conjunctions that do various jobs within sentence structures.
These include:
Conjunction Rules
There are a few important rules for using conjunctions. Remember them and you will find that your
writing flows better:
Conjunctions are for connecting thoughts, actions, and ideas as well as nouns, clauses, and other
parts of speech. For example: Mary went to the supermarket and bought oranges.
Conjunctions are useful for making lists. For example: We made pancakes, eggs, and coffee for
breakfast.
When using conjunctions, make sure that all the parts of your sentences agree. For example: “I work
busily yet am careful” does not agree. “I work busily yet carefully” shows agreement.
Conjunctions List
There are only a few common conjunctions, yet these words perform many functions: They present
explanations, ideas, exceptions, consequences, and contrasts. Here is a list of conjunctions
commonly used in American English:
And
As
Because
But
For
Just as
Or
Neither
Nor
Not only
So
Whether
Yet
Examples of Conjunctions
In the following examples, the conjunctions are in bold for easy recognition:
Conjunction Exercises
The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how conjunctions work.
Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
8. My brother loves animals. He just brought a puppy __________ a kitten home with him.
1. But
2. Or
3. Yet
4. And
Answer: 4. My brother loves animals. He just brought a puppy and a kitten home with him.
I like cooking and eating, but I don’t like washing dishes afterward. Sophie is
clearly exhausted, yet she insists on dancing till dawn.
Conjunctions allow you to form complex, elegant sentences and avoid the
choppiness of multiple short sentences. Make sure that the phrases joined by
conjunctions are parallel (share the same structure.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and clauses of
equal grammatical rank in a sentence. The most common coordinating
conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can remember them
by using the mnemonic device FANBOYS.
Notice the use of the comma when a coordinating conjunction is joining two
independent clauses.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Some
examples are either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.
Not only am I finished studying for English, but I’m also finished writing my
history essay. I am finished with both my English essay and my history essay.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. A
subordinating conjunction can signal a cause-and-effect relationship, a
contrast, or some other kind of relationship between the clauses. Common
subordinating conjunctions are because, since, as, although, though,
while, and whereas. Sometimes an adverb, such as until, after, or before can
function as a conjunction.
If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma before the independent
clause.
I drank a glass of water because I was thirsty. Because I was thirsty, I drank a
glass of water.
List of Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions