Conjunctions

Conjunction is a word that connects and shows a relationship between words, phrases, or clauses. For examples, it connects

word to word:
 • silver and gold
 • red or blue

phrase to phrase:
 • a lovely girl and her smart dog
 • a new villa or a new house

clause to clause:
 • Bopha planted a flower, and she watched it grow.
 • He went for a walk after he finished his homework.

There are four kinds of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and adverbial conjunctions.

[1] Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses of equal rank: noun with noun, adjective with adjective, verb with verb, phrase with phrase, main clause with main clause, and subordinate clause with subordinate clause.

There are 7 coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. One simple way to remember them is to think of the acronym FANBOYS.

FOR – used to show reason; as,
 • She didn’t come to class, for she was sick.

AND – used to add additional information; as,
 • She worked for the company very long, and she wanted to retire.

NOR – used to show negative idea/meaning; as,
He is not smart, nor is he industrious.

BUT – used to show contrast; as,
 • The teacher is strict, but he explains the lessons clearly.

OR – used to connect to choice; as,
 • You can select these courses, or you will do it next semester.

YET – used to connect to exception; as,
 • The football team played very well, yet they lost.

SO – used to connect to result; as,
 • I didn’t scan the disk, so my computer was infected with Trojan horse.

[2] Correlative Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions such as either/or, neither/nor, and both/and are correlative conjunctions. Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs.

EITHER … OR – we use either … or to talk about a choice between two possibilities (and sometimes more than two); as,

 • Either mom or dad will pick you up.
 • You can either have tea or coffee.
 • You can either come with me or walk home.
 • Either you leave this house or I’ll call the police.

NEITHER … NOR (NOT… EITHER) – we use it to mean ‘also not’; as,
 • They neither decide to start the project nor to introduce alternatives.
 • They neither give foods nor medicine to the victims.
 • The book is neither interesting nor accurate.

BOTH … AND – we usually put the same kind of words after both… and; as,
 • She is both pretty and clever.
 • I talked to both my supervisor and his assistant.
 • She both studies and works.

WHETHER … OR – we can use it to mean “it doesn’t matter whether… or…”; as,
 • Whether you like it or not, you will have to pay.
 • I do not care whether you go or stay.

NOT ONLY … BUT ALSO – we use to add similar idea; as,
 • Not only is he foolish, but also obstinate.
 • Yesterday it not only rained, but also snowed.

[3] Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect dependent clauses with main clauses. The most common subordinating conjunctions are: after, although, as, as if, as long as, as soon as, because, before, but, that, if, in order that, provided that, since, so that, till, until, when, whenever, where, whereas,whether, wherever, etc. For examples,

 • He comes home early because today is his daughter's birthday.
 • I will lend you some money unless you pay me back.
 • Whenever I see the pile of reports on my table, I get a headache.
 • I've been teaching since I graduated.

[4] Adverbial conjunctions (Conjunctive adverbs)

Adverbial conjunctions are used to connect two independent clauses. Adverbial conjunctions include the following words and phrases: also, consequently, furthermore, hence, however, in fact, moreover, nevertheless, now, on the other hand, otherwise, soon, therefore, similarly, then, thus, etc. For examples,

 • I am tired; therefore, I want to sleep.
 • I tried hard; however, I couldn’t understand.
 • My job offers good salary; in addition, it provides good working environment.