What is Conjunction? Types of Conjunction with Their Definitions and Examples

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Conjunctions Definition:

Conjunctions are used to join clauses, phrases, and words together for constructing Complex and Compound sentences. They make a link between/among words or groups of words to other parts of the sentence and show a relationship between/among them.

Example:

Alex and Robin are playing together.
Alex plays well, but Robin plays better than him.
I play cricket, and Robin plays football.
When he was sick, I went to see him.

Types of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

The job of a coordinating conjunction is to join two words, phrases, or independent clauses, which are parallel in structure. There are seven coordinating conjunctions which are by far the most common conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet.

It's easier to memorize the seven Coordinating Conjunctions with the acronym - FANBOYS.

For - I was meaning to leave soon, for I was getting late to the next class.

And - Freya left quickly and I was worried about her.

Nor - They weren’t up for athletics nor was I.

But - We were running late but it wasn’t possible to get out of here anytime soon.

Or - Is it okay or should I go for the last laugh?

Yet - It was early in the morning yet we were all ready to go home.

So - He was panicking so we were cautious.

Example:

We went to the stadium and enjoyed the cricket match.
Do you want ice cream or would some chocolates be more preferable?
Go away and never come back.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunction uses a set of words in a parallel sentence structure to show a contrast or to compare the equal parts of a sentence. The words of correlative conjunctions have a special connection between them.

The correlative conjunctions are not only - but also, either- or, neither - nor, both - and, not - but, whether - or etc.

Example:

Neither Alex nor Robin can play baseball.
I want both ice cream and cereal
He ate not only the ice cream but also the chocolate.
Rina is both the CEO and Managing Director of the company.
She didn’t know whether to call in or wait her turn.

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction joins elements of an unparallel sentence structure. These elements are usually a dependent clause and an independent clause.

The most commonly used subordinating conjunctions are:

After, how, than, when, although, if, that, where, as, in order that, though, which, as much as, inasmuch as, unless, while, because, provided, until, who/whom, before, since, what, whoever and whomever.

Time	Comparison	Condition
After Before As soon as Until Whenever Now Now that When Now when Once Till While As long as	Than Rather than Whether Whereas	If If only Unless Provided Provided that Supposing Assuming Assuming that
Reason	Relativity	Opinion
As Because Since Inasmuch as In order to In order that So that Why Lest	That What Whatever Which Whichever Who Whoever Whom Whomever Whose	Though Although Even though As though As if How

Example:

Before we left home, I had had my breakfast.
Provided they come, we can start class Tuesday.
When he was washing my car, I went to the store.
Even though the weather was horrible, they still went outside.

Compound Conjunction

These are conjunctions that have two or three parts. Each and every part of these does not have to be conjunctions themselves. The parts become inseparable in the sense that they tend to pop up next to one another more often and not.

Examples:

We love to go skinny dipping as well as busking in the sun.
He acted as if it were his first time under the sun.
I made a deal to see them provided that I was assured police protection.
I hurried out of the room so that I didn’t have to listen to her anymore.

Adverbial Conjunction

They help bring together two complete thoughts like some of the other Conjunctions while also being Adverbs themselves. They are also called Conjunctive Adverbs.

List of Adverbial Conjunctions

To compare	To contrast	Time	To emphasize
Similarly Like As Likewise	But However Instead Rather In spite of	Lately Since Now Meanwhile Before	Undoubtedly Definitely Certainly Of course Indeed
To summarize	To exemplify	Effect	Sequence
Briefly Merely Quickly In conclusion In summary	For example For instance Namely Typically Representatively	Accordingly Consequently Hence Therefore Then	First Next Finally Furthermore In addition Moreover

Examples:

I was looking for a tea stall; additionally, I needed a salon for a complete makeover.
Tim was banking on his skills as a salesman. Meanwhile, he should have researched the clients.
I shouted my discomfort out, that is, I didn’t like the stares I was getting.
Mila was on her way back home, therefore, the world she left behind her didn’t bother her as much.

Punctuations with Conjunctions

Two independent clauses in a sentence must be separated by a comma and that goes for no matter what conjunction is used. If the clauses attached by the conjunction can stand as complete sentences, a comma must be used between them.

Examples:

I'm doing fine, but I have my own struggles.
You were running the marathon, and I was cheering you on.
My father was unsure of the result, though he was keeping it together.

While using the Subordinating Conjunctions to attach Dependent and Independent Clauses in a sentence, there are two ways to construct these complex sentences and one of them requires a comma separating the two clauses. The comma becomes an integral part of the sentence when the Subordinating Conjunctions are placed at the start of the sentence.

Examples:

(Comma) If you are going for gold, I'll come with you.
(No comma) I'll come with you if you are going for gold.
(Comma) Though we are running late, we can help you install your home theatre.
(No comma) We can help you install your home theatre though we are running late.

In the case of Adverbial Conjunctions joining two independent clauses, the most common punctuational practice is to use a semicolon before It and a comma after that while the two complete thoughts are situated on either side. Some opt for two commas on both sides of the conjunction and there is another practice to separate the two clauses with a period while the capitalized conjunction starts the next sentence followed by a comma.

Examples:

Sam was worried about the rain; therefore, she didn’t do her laundry today.
I was there with her 24/7. Moreover, I kept a close eye on her every move.
Matt was agitated, however, the rest of us were trying to convince him to stay.

Published By LearnGrammar.Net