What is a Conjunction? Definition, Types, Examples + Quiz

Quick overview by GrammarGramps: A conjunction is a short word that connects words and phrases, as well as clauses, in a sentence, e.g., and, or, for, etc. Conjunctions help us create long, complex sentences.

There are three types of conjunctions, including coordinating conjunctions (which connect words/clauses of equal value), subordinating conjunctions (which connect words/clauses of unequal value), and correlative conjunctions (which are used in pairs to form connections between words/clauses in a sentence).

Examples of coordinating conjunctions include for, and, so, and but. Examples of subordinating conjunctions include because, since, and while. Lastly, examples of correlative conjunctions include word pairs like either/or, both/and, and neither/nor.

Conjunctive adverbs are words that are grammatically classified as adverbs but serve as conjunctions. They connect two independent clauses together.

Introduction

GrammarGramps is going to guide you on conjunctions in this guide. We’re going to talk about the definition of conjunctions, their types, some examples, and a whole bunch of other related stuff. Once you’ve learned everything and formed a thorough understanding, we’ll end things up with a quiz.

Let’s get started with the definition.

Definition of Conjunctions in Grammar

According to GrammarGramps, here is how conjunctions are defined:

Conjunctions are short words that connect words and phrases, as well as clauses, in a sentence. Conjunctions allow us to make long and meaningful sentences as they serve as “bridges” between two or more words, phrases, or clauses.

In English grammar, some of the most common conjunctions include “and,” “for,” and “but.”

Special Explanation by GrammarGramps

It is very easy to understand the importance and role of conjunctions in grammar by simply imagining how things would be without them.

If there were no conjunctions, everyone would have to use very short sentences in daily life.

For example, if Jack wanted to tell everyone that the tractor broke down but he still got the job done, he would have to say “The tractor broke down. I still got the job done.”

That doesn’t sound too bad. But let’s say Jack wasn’t done. He had other things to say, such as some other occurrences on the farm. His monologue would then go on thus: “The tractor broke down. I still got the job done. The fence around the duck pond broke. I fixed it. The bulls escaped the field. I got trampled.”

See? It sounds sad. It sounds like Jack is really struggling.

With conjunctions, on the other hand, his speech would be flowing. He would simply say: “The tractor broke down but I still got the job done. And the fence around the duck pond broke, but I fixed it. The bulls escaped the field and I got trampled.”

Now, Jack sounds like a warrior. He sounds alright, even though he got trampled by bulls.

Types of Conjunction: 3 Main Types Explained with Examples

There are three main types of conjunctions, including coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions.

You’ll find some sources mentioning an additional type of conjunctions as well, with conjunctive adverbs referenced as the fourth. However, this classification is incorrect as conjunctive adverbs are a separate entity, albeit closely related to conjunctions.

Moving on, let’s explain the types of conjunctions with a detailed description and examples.

1. Coordinating conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions are the words that connect words, clauses, and phrases of the same importance and rank.
   For instance, a coordinating conjunction can be used to connect two independent clauses in this manner: Jack was ill and he was stranded in the moor.
   Coordinating conjunctions include the words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. They are popularly associated with the acronym FANBOYS, which we will discuss in detail in a section below.
2. Subordinating conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions are the words that join words, clauses, and phrases on unequal importance and rank.
   For example, a subordinating conjunction can be used to connect an independent and dependent clause together like this: Jack didn’t work because he was ill.
   Common examples of subordinating conjunctions are words like although, because, if, and when.
3. Correlative conjunctions: Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that join words, phrases, and clauses of equal rank and importance. Unlike simple coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions don’t consist of a single word. They consist of two words, which are placed in different positions in the sentence.
   Here is an example of correlative conjunctions: Jack had neither a jacket nor a coat to protect himself from the wind.
   Correlative conjunctions include word pairs like neither/nor, both/and, either/or, and so on.

Overview Table of the Three Types of Conjunctions

Here is a quick recap table that comprehensively describes the three types of conjunctions.

Examples of Conjunctions Used in Sentences

Here are some examples of conjunctions used in real-life sentences.

1. Jack was keeping the angry bulls at bay while being buffeted by the geese from the other side. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “while.” It is a subordinating conjunction.)
2. The war between the bulls and geese was brutal but inevitable. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “but.” It is a coordinating conjunction.)
3. Jack had neither the strength to fight the bulls nor the speed to outrun the geese. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word pair “neither/nor.” It is a correlative conjunction.)
4. The geese honked furiously and the bulls stamped the ground in response. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “and.” It is a coordinating conjunction.)
5. Jack hid behind the old barn although he knew it would not protect him for long. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “although.” It is a subordinating conjunction.)
6. The bulls charged at the geese but the geese refused to retreat. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “but.” It is a coordinating conjunction.)
7. Both the bulls and the geese ignored Jack’s desperate attempts at peace. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word pair “both/and.” It is a correlative conjunction.)
8. Jack could not move for the battlefield was completely surrounded by the warring animals. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “for.” It is a coordinating conjunction.)
9. The geese had been plotting their attack since the bulls first trampled their nesting ground. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “since.” It is a subordinating conjunction.)
10. Jack would broker a truce if either side was willing to listen. (The conjunction in this sentence is the word “if.” It is a subordinating conjunction.)

What is FANBOYS in English Grammar?

FANBOYS is an acronym that is used as a memorization device for coordinating conjunctions in English. We mentioned this above.

In this word, each letter represents one of the coordinating conjunctions. “F” stands for “for,” “A” stands for “and,” “N” stands for “nor,” “B” stands for “but,” “O” stands for “or,” “Y” stands for “yet,” and “S” stands for “so.”

These seven words are the only coordinating conjunctions in English.

If you don’t want to remember this acronym, or if you’re like me and you need a bizarre mental image to memorize stuff, think of this sentence:

Five aunts nod because of your smile.

It’s the same thing. In this sentence, the starting letter of each word makes up “F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.”

What is a Conjunctive Adverb?

A conjunctive adverb is a word that is technically an adverb, but acts as a conjunction. It connects two independent clauses and shows the relationship between ideas such as contrast, similarity, cause, addition or sequence.

Common conjunctive adverbs include words like however, therefore, meanwhile, and consequently.

Common Conjunctive Adverbs Categorized by Function

We mentioned above how conjunctive adverbs describe different types of relationships between independent clauses. Sometimes, they are used to show similarity. Other times, they are used to show contrast.

Below, I’ve made a table that lists various conjunctive adverbs, categorized by function.

How Conjunctive Adverbs Are Used

When conjunctive adverbs are used, they are preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. In other words, a semicolon is placed before and a comma is placed after.

For example, “Jack was late; therefore, he got no supper.”

This is a hard rule that is always followed when using conjunctive adverbs.

Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs Used in Sentences

Here are some examples of conjunctive adverbs used in sentences:

1. I wanted to leave early; however, the meeting ran late. (In this sentence, “however” is used to show contrast)
2. She studied hard; therefore, she passed the exam. (In this sentence, “therefore” is used to show result)
3. The project is behind schedule; moreover, the budget is tight. (In this sentence, “moreover” is used to add information)
4. It was raining; nevertheless, we went hiking. (In this sentence, “nevertheless” is used to show contrast despite an obstacle)
5. He forgot his ID; consequently, he couldn’t enter the building. (In this sentence, “consequently” is used to show effect)

Conjunctive Adverbs VS Conjunctions: What’s the Difference?

Conjunctions join words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence, while conjunctive adverbs link independent clauses and express the relationship between them.

Here is a table that describes the differences between conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs in a brief and easy-to-understand manner.

Comma Rules to Remember When Using Conjunctions

Here are some rules about using comma with conjunctions that you should keep in mind.

• Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) when joining two independent clauses. (I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.)
• Do not use a comma if the conjunction joins two items or phrases that are not independent clauses. (She bought apples and oranges.)
• Use a comma to separate three or more items in a list, even if the last two are joined by a conjunction. (I packed socks, shirts, and shoes.)
• When starting a sentence with a conjunction, use a comma after the introductory phrase that follows it. (But if you hurry, you might catch the bus.)
• Use a comma to set off nonessential clauses or parenthetical phrases before a conjunction. (My brother, who loves pizza, and I went to the restaurant.)

By the way, in the guide above, we’ve used quite a few grammar-related terms, such as clause, independent clause, semicolon, comma, etc. If you want to quick learn what all of these grammar terms mean, check out our grammar glossary.

Short Quiz on Conjunctions by GrammarGramps

Here is a short quiz that we’ve made to help you practice what you’ve learned in this guide on conjunctions. The answers are provided at the end of the questions.

1. Pick the conjunction in this sentence: Jack packed food and water.
   A. packed
   B. and
   C. water
2. How many types of conjunctions are there?
   A. two
   B. three
   C. four
3. True or false: Conjunctive adverbs connect an independent and a dependent clause together?
   A. True
   B. False
4. Pick the conjunction in this sentence: Although he was prepared, he struggled.
   A. Although
   B. prepared
   C. struggled
5. True or false: You can use a conjunctive adverb without a comma.
   A. True
   B. False

Answer Sheet

1. B
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. B

Resources That I Used for This Guide

Among others, here are the resources that I used for this guide.

• Conjunctions – Butte College
• Conjunctions – Merriam-Webster