There are four kinds of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs. We do not really need to know these grammar terms. Instead, we just need to know these words and how they are used.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect two words or two independent sentences into one sentence.
There are seven coordinating conjunctions.
and | but | or | nor |
for | yet | so |
- I like coffee and tea.
- She likes to sing and he likes to play guitar.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions connect a sentence with a subordinate clause. A subordinate clause is a group of words that form part of a sentence. A subordinate clause cannot be a sentence on its own.
Some examples of a subordinate clause are:
- before she came
- after we ate
- when it rang
- We got ready before she came.
- We went outside after we ate.
- She jumped up in surprise when it rang.
after | although | as | as if |
as long as | as much as | as soon as | as though |
because | before | by the time | even if |
even though | if | once | only if |
provided that | since | so that | than |
that | though | unless | until |
when | whenever | wherever | while |
Most of these can be put at the beginning or middle of a sentence. When the subordinating conjunction is at the beginning of a sentence, then separate the two parts with a comma (this sentence is a perfect example!).
- Even though it rained, we went to the game.
- We went to the game even though it rained.
- I can't go unless I finish my work first.
- Unless I finish my work first, I cannot go.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs. Here are the five that we need to know.
- both…and…
- either…or…
- neither…nor…
- not only…but also…
Conjunctive Adverbs
Here is a list of the conjunctive adverbs that we should know.
accordingly | also | besides | consequently |
conversely | finally | furthermore | hence |
however | indeed | instead | likewise |
meanwhile | moreover | nevertheless | next |
nonetheless | otherwise | similarly | still |
subsequently | then | therefore | thus |
We usually use these at the beginning of a sentence.
- Our profits have been falling steadily for three straight quarters. Therefore, we just must consider changing our business strategy.
- Her sales numbers are down; moreover, she has been causing problems with other colleagues.
We can also use them in a middle of a sentence if the break is weak.
- It is cold. I will therefore stay inside today.