Conjunctions: The Linking Words of English Grammar
A Conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. They are the “glue” that holds ideas together in a sentence.
1. Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
These join words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal rank. Remember the acronym FANBOYS.
| Conjunction | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For | Reason (similar to ‘because’) | He went to bed early, for he was tired. |
| And | Addition | She bought a book and a pen. |
| Nor | Negative alternative | He doesn’t like tea, nor does he like coffee. |
| But | Contrast | She is small but strong. |
| Or | Choice | Would you like tea or coffee? |
| Yet | Contrast (stronger than ‘but’) | He worked hard, yet he failed. |
| So | Result/Consequence | It was raining, so we stayed home. |
2. Subordinating Conjunctions
These join a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent (main) clause. They show a relationship like time, cause, condition, or contrast.
| Category | Conjunctions | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Time | when, while, after, before, until, since, as soon as | When the bell rings, the class will end. |
| Cause & Effect | because, since, as, so that | He failed because he didn’t study. |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, as long as | You will pass if you work hard. |
| Contrast | although, though, even though, whereas | Although it was raining, we went out. |
| Purpose | so that, in order that | He saved money so that he could buy a car. |
3. Correlative Conjunctions
These are used in pairs to connect equal grammatical elements.
| Pair | Example |
|---|---|
| either…or | You can have either tea or coffee. |
| neither…nor | Neither John nor Sam attended the meeting. |
| both…and | She is both intelligent and hardworking. |
| not only…but also | He is not only a singer but also a dancer. |
| whether…or | I can’t decide whether to go or stay. |
Common Errors
Error 1: Double Conjunctions
Avoid using two conjunctions for the same clause.
- Incorrect: Though he was poor but he was honest.
- Correct: Though he was poor, he was honest. OR He was poor but he was honest.
Error 2: “Until” vs “Unless”
- Until is used for time. (Wait until I come.)
- Unless is used for condition. (You will fail unless you study.)
Error 3: “Since” vs “For”
- Since is used with a point of time. (I have lived here since 2010.)
- For is used with a period of time. (I have lived here for ten years.)
Error 4: “So…that” vs “Such…that”
- So + Adjective/Adverb + that: He is so weak that he cannot walk.
- Such + (a/an) + Adjective + Noun + that: It was such a hot day that we stayed indoors.
Error 5: “Lest”
“Lest” means “for fear that” and is followed by “should”.
- Example: Work hard lest you should fail.
Quick Revision Chart
- FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (Join equals).
- Subordinating: Because, If, When, Although, Since (Join dependent to independent).
- Correlative: Either/Or, Neither/Nor, Both/And, Not only/But also (Used in pairs).