List of Conjunctions! Following is a list of important conjunctions in English. They have been chosen especially for ESL learners.
Table of Contents
Understanding Conjunctions
Types of Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are what we use to connect individual words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank or importance. FANBOYS is a mnemonic device that helps us remember them: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.
- For implies reason, similar to “because.”
- And adds one thing to another.
- Nor combines two negative options.
- But introduces a contrast.
- Or presents alternatives or choices.
- Yet also introduces a contrast, similar to “but.”
- So indicates an effect or result.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions allow us to link a dependent clause to an independent clause, signifying a relationship such as time, place, condition, contrast, or cause and effect. Words like because, although, since, unless, and while serve this purpose.
- Because indicates a cause-effect relationship.
- Although introduces a contrast, admitting something is true despite the contrast.
- Since can be used to represent time or reason.
- Unless specifies a condition.
- While often shows a time relationship but can also introduce contrast.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that we use in tandem to join various sentence elements that are equal in terms of syntactic importance. Common pairs include both/and, either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.
- Both/and relate two items together.
- Either/or offer a choice between two alternatives.
- Neither/nor negate both parts of a statement.
- Not only/but also expand a statement to include additional information.
Using these conjunctions effectively allows us to create clear and richly connected ideas in our writing.
Functions of Conjunctions
Joining Clauses
Conjunctions play a pivotal role in the structure of sentences by joining independent clauses—these are clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences. For example:
Coordinating conjunctions include “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so,” often remembered with the acronym FANBOYS. Let’s look at how they connect independent clauses:
| Conjunction | Example |
|---|---|
| And | We went to the beach, and we swam all day. |
| But | I wanted to stay, but we had to leave early. |
| Or | We can travel by train, or we can drive there. |
Subordinating conjunctions establish a relationship between an independent clause and a dependent clause, which cannot stand alone. Some common subordinating conjunctions are “because,” “although,” “if,” and “while.”
| Subordinate Conjunction | Example |
|---|---|
| Because | We left early because the weather was turning bad. |
| Although | Although it was raining, we had a great time. |
| If | If you arrive before noon, we can go for a walk. |
Connecting Words
Conjunctions also connect words that are related within a sentence, making our communication more precise and varied. Here are some examples:
- “I’d like tea and cookies.”
- “Are you going to the concert or staying home?”
- “She’s talented but modest.”
In each case, a different coordinating conjunction is used to link nouns, creating a specific relationship between them.
Common Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of joining words that we frequently use to connect two ideas together in a sentence.
| Conjunctions | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Both … and | Both the piano and the guitar are available for the music class. |
| Whether … or | I can’t decide whether to go for a hike or stay home and read. |
| No sooner … than | No sooner had we arrived than the meeting began. |
| The more … the more | The more you practice, the more proficient you become. |
| So … that | The movie was so entertaining that we watched it twice. |
| Hardly … when | Hardly had we started the picnic when it began to rain. |
| Such … that | It was such a compelling story that everyone was moved. |
| As … as | She is as talented as she is humble. |
| Rather … than | I would rather go hiking than stay indoors all weekend. |
| Scarcely … when | Scarcely had the play started when there was a power outage. |
| Not only … but also | She is not only a brilliant writer but also an excellent speaker. |
| Either … or | You can either come with us now or meet us there later. |
| So … as | The task is not so difficult as it first appeared. |
| Neither … nor | She is neither interested in sports nor fond of outdoor activities. |
Subordinating Conjunctions
| Subordinating Conjunction | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| After | After the movie ended, we went out for coffee. |
| Although | Although it was raining, we decided to go hiking. |
| As | As the sun set, the sky turned a brilliant orange. |
| As if | She reacted as if the news was completely unexpected. |
| As long as | As long as you finish your homework, you can watch TV. |
| As much as | As much as I enjoy hiking, I need to rest this weekend. |
| As soon as | As soon as I arrive, I’ll call you. |
| As though | He looked as though he hadn’t slept in days. |
| Because | I stayed home because I was feeling ill. |
| Before | Finish your chores before you go out to play. |
| Even | Even the smallest donation can make a difference. |
| Even if | Even if it rains, the event will continue as scheduled. |
| Even though | Even though he’s allergic, he still loves to play with cats. |
| If | If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask. |
| If only | If only I had known about the traffic, I would have left earlier. |
| If then | If you study hard, then you will pass the exam. |
| If when | Call me if when you get to the station. |
| In order that | We use a map in order that we won’t get lost. |
| Inasmuch | Inasmuch as you are the expert, we’ll follow your advice. |
| Just as | Just as the sun rose, we reached the summit. |
| Lest | Wear a helmet lest you injure your head. |
| Now | Now that we have finished dinner, let’s have dessert. |
| Now since | Now since you’re here, we can start the meeting. |
| Now that | Now that the rain has stopped, we can go for a walk. |
| Now when | Now when we have all the materials, we can begin construction. |
| Once | Once you submit your application, you cannot make any changes. |
| Provided | You can join the trip, provided you get permission from your parents. |
| Provided that | Provided that the weather is good, we will go to the beach. |
| Rather that | I would rather that we stay home tonight. |
| Since | Since you asked, I’ll tell you the truth. |
| So that | She saved money so that she could buy a new car. |
| Supposing | Supposing they don’t arrive on time, what should we do? |
| Than | He is taller than his sister. |
| That | She said that she would call me later. |
| Though | Though he tried his best, he did not succeed. |
| Till | I will wait till you arrive. |
| Unless | Unless you apologize, I won’t forgive you. |
| Until | I cannot rest until the work is finished. |
| When | When I was young, I used to play baseball. |
| Whenever | Whenever I visit, they make me feel welcome. |
| Where | I will sit where there is more light. |
| Where if | There is no situation where if you are rude, it will be acceptable. |
| Whereas | She is very outgoing, whereas her brother is shy. |
| Wherever | Wherever you go, you can always find beauty. |
| Whether | I can’t decide whether to buy the red dress or the blue one. |
| Which | He couldn’t decide which shirt to wear. |
| While | While I was walking the dog, it started to rain. |
| Who | The musician who plays the guitar is my friend. |
| Whoever | Whoever wins the race will receive a medal. |
| Why | I wonder why the flight was canceled. |
Coordinating Conjunctions
We have 7 coordinating conjunctions in English grammr: “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet” or “so” to join individual words, phrases, and independent clauses.
List of Conjunctions
Learn the list of conjunctions in English.
- A minute later
- Accordingly
- Actually
- After
- After a short time
- Afterward
- Also
- And
- Another
- As an example
- As a consequence
- As a result
- As soon as
- At last
- At length
- Because
- Because of this
- Before
- Besides
- Briefly
- But
- Consequently
- Conversely
- Equally
- Finally
- First
- For example
- For instance
- For this purpose
- For this reason
- Fourth
- From here on
- Further
- Furthermore
- Gradually
- Hence
- However
- In addition
- In conclusion
- In contrast
- In fact
- In short
- In spite of
- In spite of this
- In summary
- In the end
- In the meanwhile
- In the meantime
- In the same manner
- In the same way
- Just as important
- Least
- Last
- Last of all
- Lastly
- Later
- Meanwhile
- Moreover
- Nevertheless
- Next
- Nonetheless
- Now
- Nor
- Of equal importance
- On the contrary
- On the following day
- On the other hand
- Other hands
- Or
- Presently
- Second
- Similarly
- Since
- So
- Soon
- Still
- Subsequently
- Such as
- The next week
- Then
- Thereafter
- Therefore
- Third
- Thus
- To be specific
- To begin with
- To illustrate
- To repeat
- To sum up
- Too
- Ultimately
- What
- Whatever
- Whoever
- Whereas
- Whomever
- When
- While
- With this in mind
- Yet
Example sentences:
- A minute later, Harrick was showing off his golf swing.
- He’s not at all exciting, in fact he’s really rather commonplace.
- The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts.
- Cocaine production requires large amounts of water, hence factories are nearly always built by streams.
- She complained of stiffness in her joints. Accordingly, she was admitted to hospital for further tests.
- Actually, I wanted to say on that day, shall we never get apart, OK?
- After a short time, you will feel more in control during the execution of free weight exercises.
- As an example, Graff raises the relation of a feminist literary canon to more familiar ones.
- As a consequence, this junction in the rocks represents a huge gap in the record.
- As a result, services have been drastically reduced.
- Mr Foster has never been to China. Consequently / Hence he knows very little about it.
- He is called Mitch, because his name is Mitchell.
- Besides a father she has a younger brother to support.
- As soon as you have drunk, you turn your back upon the spring.
- Consequently, this view is frequently referred to as mathematical Platonism.
- Car prices can vary a lot. For example, in Belgium the VW Golf costs $1000 less than in Britain.
- There are a number of improvements; for instance, both mouse buttons can now be used.
- I don’t want to go there, furthermore, I have no time to do so.
- In conclusion, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed myself today.
- I don’t like skating, moreover, the ice is too thin.
- I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men
- There are serious problems in our country. Nonetheless, we feel this is a good time to return.
- On the other hand, many women choose to go out to work.
- You think you are clever; on the contrary, I assure that you are very foolish.
- We do not have enough money. Therefore we cannot afford to buy the new car.
- To sum up, there are three main ways of tackling the problem.
- You will have it if it belongs to you, whereas you don’t kvetch for it if it doesn’t appear in your life.
- The book is too long but, nonetheless, informative and entertaining.
- A short while ago, however, he became a bus driver and he has not regretted it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common examples of conjunctions used in English sentences?
Conjunctions are words like “and,” “but,” and “or” that join clauses or phrases in a sentence. For instance, “and” adds information, while “but” introduces a contrast.
Can you explain the different types of conjunctions along with their examples?
Certainly! Coordinating conjunctions, such as “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so,” connect two independent clauses. Subordinating conjunctions, like “because,” “although,” and “since,” connect a subordinate clause to a main clause. Correlative conjunctions work in pairs, like “neither…nor” and “either…or,” to join various sentence elements.
Could you list the coordinating conjunctions from A to Z?
Coordinating conjunctions don’t exactly span A to Z, but the acronym FANBOYS can help you remember them: “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.”
What are the basic conjunctions that I should absolutely know?
At a minimum, make sure you’re familiar with the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” “so”) and some common subordinating conjunctions like “because,” “since,” “unless,” “although,” and “if.”
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