Conjunctions – Types, Rules & Examples

What is a Conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins:

words
phrases
clauses
sentences

Conjunctions help us:

Combine ideas
Avoid short, repetitive sentences
Make speech and writing smooth and logical

Examples of Conjunctions

and
but
or
because
although
so

Examples in sentences:

I practice daily and I improve.
She was tired but she continued.
He stayed home because it was raining.

Why Conjunctions Are Important

Conjunctions help us:

Show addition, contrast, choice, reason, result
Express ideas clearly
Build longer, meaningful sentences

Compare:

❌ I was tired. I continued studying.
✅ I was tired, but I continued studying.

Types of Conjunctions in English

Conjunctions are mainly divided into three types:

Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions

Let’s understand each type clearly.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

What are Coordinating Conjunctions?

They join:

two words
two phrases
two independent clauses (equal importance)

FANBOYS (Easy to Remember)

Uses with Examples

And → addition
- She studies and practices daily.
But → contrast
- He is tired, but he is studying.
Or → choice
- You can call or message me.
So → result
- She studied hard, so she passed.
Yet → unexpected contrast
- He is poor, yet he is happy.

Comma Rule

When joining two independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction.

✅ I was tired, but I continued.
❌ I was tired but I continued.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

What are Subordinating Conjunctions?

They join:

one independent clause
one dependent clause

They show relationships like:

reason
time
condition
contrast

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

because, although, when, while, if, since, before, after, unless

Examples in Sentences

I stayed home because it was raining.
Although she was tired, she studied.
Call me when you arrive.
You will succeed if you practice daily.

Comma Rule (Important)

If the sentence starts with the dependent clause, use a comma.

✅ When the class ended, we left.
❌ When the class ended we left.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

What are Correlative Conjunctions?

They are pairs of conjunctions that work together.

Common Correlative Conjunctions

both … and
either … or
neither … nor
not only … but also
whether … or

Examples in Sentences

Both English and Hindi are useful.
Either you call me or send a message.
Neither he nor she was present.
She is not only smart but also hardworking.

Conjunction vs Preposition (Common Confusion)

Conjunction	Preposition
Joins clauses	Followed by noun/pronoun
because	because of
although	despite

Examples:

I stayed home because it was raining. (conjunction)
I stayed home because of rain. (preposition)

Common Conjunction Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Although she was tired but she studied.
✅ Although she was tired, she studied.

❌ He is poor and he is honest. (okay but repetitive)
✅ He is poor but honest.

❌ Because I was late.
✅ I was late because I missed the bus.

Practice Examples

Choose the correct conjunction:

I was tired ___ I continued studying. (but)
She stayed home ___ it was raining. (because)
You can tea ___ coffee. (or)
___ you practice, you will improve. (If)

Why Learning Conjunctions Is Important

Helps connect ideas smoothly
Improves sentence structure
Makes writing more fluent
Essential for complex sentences

Quick Summary

Conjunctions join words, phrases, and clauses
There are three main types
FANBOYS help remember coordinating conjunctions
Correct usage improves clarity and fluency

✅ Tip for Learners

When joining two ideas, ask:

Are both ideas equal, or is one dependent on the other?

That will help you choose the right conjunction.