Using Conjunctions | Definition, Rules

& Examples
Published on May 23, 2019 by Amy Luo. Revised on September 1, 2022.

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

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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 interviews. Data was gathered through questionnaires 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 selected Data was gathered through questionnaires, and selected
respondents participated in interviews. respondents participated in interviews.
She usually studies in the library but when it is too busy she She usually studies in the library, but when it is too busy she g
goes to a cafe. 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 in closing the She will receive a major bonus if she succeeds in closing the
corporate partnership deal. corporate partnership deal.
John’s friends snuck into his apartment to set up a surprise John’s friends snuck into his apartment to set up a surprise
party, while he was at work. 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 partnership deal she If she succeeds in closing the corporate partnership deal, she
will receive a major bonus. receive a major bonus.
While John was at work his friends snuck into his apartment to While John was at work, his friends snuck into his apartmen
set up a surprise party. set up a surprise party.
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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.