Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses that are of equal type and importance. 

*To help you remember the most common coordinating conjunctions, remember the acronym FANBOYS

For

 joins two ideas that are effect/cause related (in that order)

You should celebrate your achievements, for you worked very hard to earn them.

And

joins two ideas together that are closely related

Kevin got a haircut and washed his car.

Nor

joins two statements that are both negative

Stacey doesn't like to do her homework, nor does she like to do chores.

But

joins two statements that contrast one another

Mike would love to stay in bed, but he has a big test this afternoon.

Or

joins two statements that provide two choices

Amanda can stay home and study or go out with her friends.

Yet

joins one statement followed by another that proposes another, less likely or unexpected option

David hardly ever studies for tests, yet he gets the highest scores in the class.

So

joins two statements that show a cause and effect relationship

Kevin didn't take out the trash all week, so his mom wouldn't let him go out with his friends on the weekend.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions serve the same function as coordinating conjunctions, but come in pairs. 

Correlative conjunctions are stronger than coordinating conjunctions, because they place emphasis on the relationship between the ideas being joined. Notice the difference in the following sentences:

Cats and dogs make good pets.

Both cats and dogs make good pets.

Ron or Davie found my bicycle.

Either Ron or Davie found my bicycle.

*To help you recognize correlative conjunctions, remember: “It takes two!” or “The Buddy System!” These pairs are joining ideas that are discussed together.  

either/or

Stacey will either attend college or travel.

neither/nor

Ta would be neither distracted nor deterred from pursuing his dream.

both/and

My mother went shopping and bought both a dress and shoes.

not only/but also

I am not only small but also feisty.

whether/or

You will need to decide whether to join the swim team or the track team.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join two separate ideas, making one idea dependent on the other. The connecting word or phrase introduces an idea that cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence, but that adds information about the main idea of the sentence. 

*You can recognize subordinating conjunctions because they connect extra information about things like time, place, condition, manner or reason. They might introduce a comparison or show how one thing is relative to another or show cause and effect. 

Comparison: connects an idea that shows how or to what degree something is alike or different

than

rather than

as much as

She is richer than I am.

I will have cake rather than cookies.

Mom enjoys shopping as much as cooking.

Relative Adjective: connects an idea that tells which one or what kind

that

whatever

which

whichever

My aunt bought the car that she’d always wanted.

It’s a good idea to take notes on whatever the teacher says.

I can’t wait to find out which movie wins Best Picture.

Maria will wear whichever dress is clean.

Time: connects an idea that tells when

after

as soon as

as long as

before

by the time

now that

once

since

until

when

whenever

while

Tom will get groceries after he picks up the dry cleaning.

As soon as I finish my homework, I can play video games.

The ceremony will last as long as it takes to read every name.

Stacey will take a gap year before she goes to college.

By the time the meal arrived at the table, it was already cold.

I can’t wait to go to school now that I’m feeling better.

Once you learn conjunctions, sentences are easier to write.

Mom hasn’t gone shopping since her credit card was denied.

The candidate will not concede until all the votes are counted.

Make your birthday wish when you blow out the candle.

My family comes together whenever one of us is in need.

While we wait, let’s play a game.

Concession: connects an idea that admits something contradictory is also true

though

although

even though

Though he felt scared, he knew it was worth the risk.

Although the house was new, it was not well built.

She wanted to go to the party even though she was grounded.

Relative Pronoun: connects an idea that tells who

who

whoever

whom

whomever

whose

The person who made the mess cleans it up.

I have a request for whoever makes the schedule.

Mark is the man whom I met on the cruise.

She is free to hire whomever she chooses.

The student whose project wins first place gets an A.

Place: connects an idea that tells where

where

wherever

This is the playground where I met my best friend.

I will follow wherever you lead.

Condition: connects an idea that shows cause and effect or establishes that one thing must be true in order for the other to also be true

if

only if

unless

provided that

assuming that

even if

in case

lest

If you study, you will pass the test.

Your boss will give you the raise only if you earn it.

You won’t get better unless you practice.

Provided that everyone is on time, we’ll begin at 9:00.

Don said he’d go assuming that his mother gives permission.

I cannot forgive him, even if he apologizes.

In case you forgot, Mom and Dad’s anniversary is next week.

Lest we forget, I’ve written it in three separate calendars.

Manner: connects an idea that tells how

how

as though

as if

My uncle taught me how to parallel park.

He looks as though he’s destined for greatness.

The grey sky and wind make it feel as if a storm is coming.

Reason: connects an idea that tells why

because

since

so that

in order
(that or to)

as

I love Twain’s writing because he embraces the absurd.

Since we have some time, let’s play one more round.

Margie decided to stay home so that she’d have time to study.

Eat more vegetables in order to get healthy.

Grandma invited us all over, as she didn’t feel up to traveling.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs (also called adverbial conjunctions) join two complete thoughts. They use one idea to modify the other idea, just like an adverb. Conjunctive adverbs can follow a semicolon Links to an external site. or a period and typically have a comma after them.

accordingly

also

besides

consequently

conversely

finally

furthermore

hence

however

indeed

in fact

instead

likewise

meanwhile

moreover

nevertheless

next

nonetheless

otherwise

similarly

still

subsequently

then

therefore

thus

Read the following paragraph to see how conjunctive adverbs work as transitions that connect complete ideas and show the relationship between them:

Staying inside the home for too long can instill bad habits like watching too much TV and overeating; however, it also may inspire creative new hobbies. Consequently, a renaissance of art, music, and writing may follow a period of isolation. Families may return to the dinner table and spend more time together; moreover, they may even discover that they like one another! Nonetheless, businesses like restaurants and movie theatres are bound to suffer when people stay home; therefore, it’s important for both personal and public good to find a balance.