Level: A2-B1
English Conjunctions
Conjunctions are the small words that join other words, phrases, and clauses together — making your sentences flow instead of sounding choppy. This ESL guide covers all three types (coordinating, subordinating, correlative), the conjunctive adverbs that look like conjunctions but punctuate differently, plus the classic ESL traps: because vs because of, the although + but double-up, comma splices, and the nearest-subject agreement rule.
What is a conjunction?
A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses together. Conjunctions help connect ideas so that sentences flow smoothly.
What do conjunctions connect?
- Words: apples and oranges
- Phrases: in the morning and at night
- Clauses: I like tea, but she likes coffee.
Why are conjunctions important?
Without conjunctions, we would have to speak in short, choppy sentences. Conjunctions let us show relationships such as addition, contrast, choice, cause, and time.
Examples in sentences
- I want to go, but I am too tired. (contrast)
- You can have tea or coffee. (choice)
- She studied hard because she wanted to pass. (cause)
- We stayed home and watched a movie. (addition)
Three types of sentences
Different conjunctions create different kinds of sentences. To use conjunctions well, it helps to know the three basic sentence types. The key concept is the clause — a group of words containing a subject and a verb.
- An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone — it needs to be attached to an independent clause.
1. Simple sentence — one independent clause (no conjunction needed)
- She studies English.
- The dog barked loudly.
2. Compound sentence — two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction
- She studies English, and her brother studies French.
- It was raining, but we went out anyway.
3. Complex sentence — one independent clause + one dependent clause joined by a subordinating conjunction
- Because she was hungry, she made a sandwich. (dependent + independent)
- We watched a movie while it was raining. (independent + dependent)
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions join two or more words, phrases, or independent clauses that are equal in importance. They’re the most common conjunctions in English.
The FANBOYS rule
You can remember the seven coordinating conjunctions with the word FANBOYS:
- F = for (reason)
- A = and (addition)
- N = nor (negative addition)
- B = but (contrast)
- O = or (choice)
- Y = yet (contrast, like “but”)
- S = so (result)
Examples
- I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
- She is kind and helpful.
- You can have tea or coffee.
- He didn’t call, nor did he write.
- We stayed home, for it was very late.
- She worked hard, so she passed the exam.
- It was cold, yet she wore no coat.
Punctuation rule
When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, put a comma before it:
- We wanted to go out, but it was too cold.
- He is smart, and he is also kind.
When the conjunction joins just two words or short phrases, no comma is needed:
- I like apples and oranges.
- She sang and danced.
Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to an independent clause. They show the relationship between the two ideas — time, reason, condition, contrast, purpose, result, or place.
The dependent clause cannot stand alone — even though it contains a subject and a verb.
Common subordinating conjunctions by meaning
| Meaning | Conjunctions |
|---|---|
| Time | after, before, when, while, as soon as, until, since, once |
| Reason / cause | because, as, since, now that |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, as long as |
| Contrast / concession | although, though, even though, whereas, while |
| Purpose | so that, in order that |
| Result | so…that, such…that |
| Manner | as, as if, as though |
| Comparison | than, as |
| Place | where, wherever |
Examples
- I stayed home because it was raining. (reason)
- She smiled when she saw the puppy. (time)
- If you study hard, you will pass the test. (condition)
- We enjoyed the picnic although it was hot. (contrast)
- She worked overtime so that she could save money. (purpose)
- He acted as if he didn’t know me. (manner)
Word order and punctuation
The dependent clause can come first or second:
- Because it was raining, I stayed home. (dependent first → comma after it)
- I stayed home because it was raining. (dependent second → no comma)
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect equal parts of a sentence. They always come in pairs.
Common pairs
- both … and — addition
- either … or — choice
- neither … nor — negative choice
- not only … but also — emphasis / addition
- whether … or — alternatives
- as … as — equal comparison
- no sooner … than — immediate sequence
Examples
- Both my mother and my father are teachers. (joins two nouns)
- You can have either tea or coffee.
- Neither the manager nor the staff knew the answer.
- She is not only smart but also kind.
- I don’t know whether to go or to stay.
Parallel structure
Make sure the words after each part of the pair are the same kind of word or phrase:
She is not only kind but also helps others.
She is not only kind but also helpful.
Both halves should match — adjective + adjective, noun + noun, verb phrase + verb phrase.
Conjunctive adverbs vs conjunctions
Words like however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless connect ideas, so ESL learners often treat them as conjunctions. But they’re actually conjunctive adverbs — and the punctuation is completely different.
Common conjunctive adverbs
however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, nonetheless, meanwhile, consequently, otherwise, instead, indeed, also, thus, hence, then
The punctuation rule
When a conjunctive adverb joins two independent clauses, use a semicolon before it and a comma after it:
- I was tired; however, I kept working.
- It was raining; therefore, the match was canceled.
- She studied hard; nevertheless, she failed the test.
You can also use them at the start of a new sentence, with a comma after:
- It was raining. However, we went out.
- Meanwhile, the children were playing outside.
Conjunction vs conjunctive adverb — side by side
The same meaning can be expressed with either a conjunction or a conjunctive adverb — but with different punctuation:
| Conjunction (comma before) | Conjunctive adverb (semicolon before, comma after) |
|---|---|
| I was tired, but I kept working. | I was tired; however, I kept working. |
| It rained, so we stayed in. | It rained; therefore, we stayed in. |
| She’s smart and hard-working. | She’s smart; moreover, she’s hard-working. |
Common mistakes
I was tired, however, I kept working.
I was tired; however, I kept working.
It rained, therefore we stayed in.
It rained; therefore, we stayed in.
I was tired, but however, I kept working.
I was tired, but I kept working.
Common mistakes and usage tips
1. Watch your punctuation with FANBOYS
When a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so…) joins two full sentences, use a comma before it:
- She wanted to go out, but it was raining.
- He is very tired, so he is going to bed early.
If the conjunction joins just two words or short phrases, no comma is needed:
- I like apples and oranges.
- We danced and sang.
2. Don’t double up on conjunctions of the same meaning
He is tired and but he wants to go.
He is tired, but he wants to go.
Although it was cold, but we went hiking.
Although it was cold, we went hiking.
Because she was tired, so she went to bed.
Because she was tired, she went to bed.
3. Don’t leave a dependent clause alone
A clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction cannot stand by itself:
Because it was raining.
Because it was raining, we stayed home.
If you have time.
Call me if you have time.
4. Comma splices and run-on sentences
Don’t join two independent clauses with just a comma — that’s called a comma splice. And don’t run them together with nothing in between — that’s a run-on sentence.
I was tired, I went to bed.
I was tired, so I went to bed.
It started raining we went inside.
It started raining, so we went inside.
Three ways to fix a comma splice or run-on:
- Add a coordinating conjunction with a comma: I was tired, so I went to bed.
- Use a semicolon: I was tired; I went to bed.
- Make two separate sentences: I was tired. I went to bed.
5. Keep correlative pairs parallel
She not only sings but also a great dancer.
She is not only a singer but also a dancer.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a conjunction?
- A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses together, helping ideas connect so sentences flow smoothly.
- What are the three types of conjunctions?
- Coordinating (the FANBOYS words), subordinating (because, although, when), and correlative (both...and, either...or).
- What does FANBOYS stand for?
- The seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.