Conjunction: Definition, Types and Examples

A conjunction is word that joins two parts of a sentence. A conjunction is a word which is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences to create complete sense. Conjunctions are used to show the relationship between the connected elements and to indicate how they relate to each other.

For Example: as well as, as much as, as soon as, otherwise, as though, although, wherever, because, as,, even if, in case, still, while, but, not only...but also, no sooner...than, scarcely...when, only if, so that, whereas, because, neither, before, though, unless, either, until, after, as, if, since, while, how, ever, lest, once, than, that, till, when, till, else, only, and, too, whether...or either...or such...that so...that so...as as...so

Coordinating Conjunctions:

These conjunctions connect words, different parts of sentence, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank. The most common coordinating conjunctions are:

And - used to add information

But - used to show contrast

Or - used to indicate alternatives

Nor - used in negative statements

For - used to provide a reason

So – is used to show consequence or result in a better way

Yet - used to show contrast

Examples:

I like apples and oranges.
It was raining, but we went outside.
Do you want coffee or tea?

Subordinating Conjunctions:

Subordinating conjunction is word or phrase that connects dependent clauses to independent clauses in a sentence. They indicate the relationship between the two clauses and help to form complex sentences. Subordinating conjunctions can be used to show cause-and-effect relationships, transitions in time or place, or conditions that must be met for something to happen

Some common subordinating conjunctions are:

Because - used to give a reason

Since - used to indicate time or reason

Although - used to show contrast

If - used to express a condition

Unless - used to express a negative condition

Until - used to indicate time

When - used to indicate time

Whenever - used to indicate repeated time

Where - used to indicate place

Wherever - used to indicate repeated place

While - used to indicate time or contrast

Examples:

I stayed home because I was tire.
I will wait here until they return.

Correlative Conjunctions:

These conjunctions work in pairs to connect equivalent sentence elements. The most common correlative conjunctions are:

Both...and- used to connect equal items

Not only...but also - used to connect equal items

Either...or - used to present alternatives

Neither...nor - used in negative statements

Whether...or - used to present alternatives

Examples:

Both the white and black shirts are on sale in Bazaar.

Conjunctive Adverbs

These adverbs connect independent clauses that show the relationship between them in a sentence. Some common conjunctive adverbs are:

However- used to show contrast

Therefore - used to show result

Consequently - used to show result

Furthermore - used to add information

Moreover - used to add information

Nevertheless - used to show contrast

Otherwise - used to show alternative

Then - used to show time or result

Thus- used to show result

Meanwhile - used to show time

Examples:

I was late to the meeting; however, my boss understood.
It was raining; therefore, we decided to stay inside.

Conjunction: Definition, Types and Examples