Level: A2-B1

List of English Conjunctions

The most useful English conjunctions, grouped by type — each with a short, simple definition to help you learn its meaning and usage.

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Coordinating Conjunctions
and – connects words or ideas to add information
but – shows a basic contrast or opposite idea
or – shows a choice between options
nor – connects two negative statements (used after “neither” or another negative)
for – gives a reason or explanation (similar to “because” but less common in speaking)
so – shows a result or consequence, usually in conversation
yet – shows contrast when something surprising or unexpected happens
Correlative Conjunctions
both ... and – joins two things that are true at the same time
either ... or – gives two possibilities, only one can be chosen
neither ... nor – links two negative ideas; shows both are not true
not only ... but also – emphasizes two points, both are true (adds importance)
whether ... or – presents two choices or alternatives, often about uncertainty
Subordinating Conjunctions
after – means something happens later than another action
although – shows a strong contrast or surprising difference
as – shows time (while something else happens), reason, or manner
as far as – sets a limit or range for something
as if – introduces something that is imagined or unreal
as long as – states a condition; means “only if” or “for the whole time that”
as soon as – immediately after something else happens
as though – introduces something not real or just imagined (similar to “as if”)
because – gives a direct reason for something
before – means something happens earlier than another event
even if – states a condition that may not happen; shows possibility
even though – emphasizes a strong contrast even when something is true
if – introduces a condition; something may or may not happen
if only – expresses a wish or regret about the past or present
in case – means “because something might happen”; shows preparation
in order that – introduces a purpose (more formal than “so that”)
once – means “after” something happens, another thing happens
provided (that) – sets a requirement; means “only if a condition is met”
since – can mean “from a time in the past” or “because”
so that – introduces a purpose or intended result
supposing (that) – asks you to imagine if something is true
than – used to compare two things
that – introduces extra information, often about what someone says or thinks
though – shows a contrast, often at the end of a sentence
till – means “up to the time when”; less formal than “until”
unless – means “except if”; introduces a condition that must not happen
until – means “up to the time when”
when – shows the time something happens
whenever – means “every time something happens”
where – introduces a place or location
whereas – highlights a big or surprising difference between two things
wherever – means “in any place”
while – shows two actions happen at the same time, or gives a mild contrast
now that – means “because now”; introduces a new situation
as much as – compares two things, usually showing equality or similarity
so long as – states a condition; means “only if” (slightly formal or old-fashioned)
lest – introduces a reason to prevent something bad from happening
Other/Conjunctive Adverbs & Multi-word Conjunctions
rather than – prefers one thing or action instead of another
however – introduces a contrast, often starting a new sentence (formal/writing)
only – shows an exception or a restriction to one thing
now – at this moment; sometimes used to join sentences or actions in stories
otherwise – shows what will happen if the first thing does not happen
therefore – shows a logical result or conclusion (formal/writing)
meanwhile – introduces something happening at the same time as something else
consequently – shows a direct result, often in writing
furthermore – adds another point to strengthen an idea, formal
nevertheless – introduces a strong contrast, shows something is true despite a problem
moreover – adds extra, often more important, information
besides – gives extra information, often to support a reason or argument
hence – introduces a reason or result, often formal or old-fashioned