Practice
What is a conjunction? Types and examples
Mina wanted to walk to work, but it started to rain. The word but joins two complete ideas and shows a contrast. That joining word is a conjunction.
Identify the relationship between two ideas and choose a coordinating, subordinating, or correlative conjunction that expresses it clearly.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
but we found a table /bʌt wi faʊnd ə ˈteɪbəl/
The short answer
Use a conjunction to connect ideas. Use and, but, or, so, and similar coordinating conjunctions for equal ideas. Use because, if, although, and when when one clause explains, limits, or depends on another. Use paired forms such as both ... and when the sentence needs two matching parts.
We can meet after work or talk by phone tomorrow.
Why it works: Or joins two possible choices. Each choice has the same role in the sentence.
5 more examples
-
The café was busy, but we found a table outside.
But joins two complete ideas and shows a contrast between the busy café and the available table.
Not this:The café was busy,
sowe ordered drinks to go. What changes: So gives the result of the café being busy. It does not show a contrast. -
Because the payment was late, the service stopped.
Because begins a dependent clause that gives the reason for the service stopping.
Not this:The payment was late,
andthe service stopped. What changes: And adds a second event, but it does not clearly state that the first event caused the second. -
You can either print the form or save it as a PDF.
Either ... or presents two matching actions as alternatives.
Not this:You can print the form
andsave it as a PDF. What changes: And says that both actions can happen, rather than asking the reader to choose one. -
If the train arrives on time, we will reach the office before nine.
If introduces a condition. Reaching the office before nine depends on the train arriving on time.
Not this:
Whenthe train arrives, we will leave the platform. What changes: When places the action in time. It does not present the arrival as an uncertain condition. -
Both the manager and the assistant signed the form.
Both ... and joins two noun phrases and includes each person in the action.
Not this:
Neither the manager nor the assistantsigned the form. What changes: Neither ... nor changes the meaning to exclude both people from the action.
Read the full guide
First, find the two parts that need a connection. Then decide what the connection means. Are you adding information, showing a contrast, giving a reason, naming a condition, or offering a choice? The meaning points to a conjunction that fits.
Find the relationship between the ideas
Before choosing a conjunction, name the relationship. And adds information. But shows a contrast. Because gives a reason. If gives a condition. Or offers a choice. The relationship matters more than the sound of the word.
The store was closed, so we returned the next day.
So shows the result of the store being closed.
Which conjunction gives a reason: because or but?
Use because for a reason.
Join equal ideas with coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions can join equal words, phrases, or complete clauses. Common choices are and, but, or, so, for, nor, and yet. For B1 writing, focus first on the meaning of and, but, or, and so.
I wrote the email, and my colleague checked it.
Both sides of and are complete clauses, so a comma comes before and.
Choose the word for a contrast: We left early, ___ the traffic was heavy.
Use but: We left early, but the traffic was heavy.
Introduce a dependent clause
A subordinating conjunction makes one clause depend on another. Because, if, although, when, while, and unless are common examples. The dependent clause cannot usually stand alone after the conjunction.
Although the room was small, everyone could sit down.
Although the room was small leaves the reader waiting for the main result. Everyone could sit down completes the thought.
Add the comma: If you finish early call the reception desk.
Write: If you finish early, call the reception desk.
Keep paired conjunctions balanced
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs. The words after each half should have matching grammar. Join two nouns with both ... and, two actions with either ... or, or two descriptions with neither ... nor.
She wants either to travel by train or to rent a car.
Both choices use to plus a verb, so the pair is balanced.
Complete the pair: Both the report ___ the invoice are ready.
Use and: Both the report and the invoice are ready.
Use commas for complete clauses
Use a comma before and, but, or, so, yet, for, or nor when the conjunction joins two independent clauses. Do not use that comma when the conjunction joins only words or short phrases. An opening dependent clause also usually takes a comma before the main clause.
We reviewed the contract, but we did not sign it.
We reviewed the contract and the invoice needs no comma because and joins two noun phrases, not two complete clauses.
Does this sentence need a comma before and: We bought pens and folders?
No. And joins two nouns, pens and folders.
Before you go
Remember this
A conjunction shows how two parts of a sentence belong together. Use a coordinating conjunction for equal ideas, a subordinating conjunction for a dependent relationship, and a correlative pair for two matching parts. Choose the word from the meaning you need to express.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "What is a conjunction? Types and examples"
What is a conjunction?
A conjunction is a word or phrase that connects words, phrases, or clauses. It shows how the connected parts relate. For example, and adds information, but shows contrast, because gives a reason, and or gives a choice.
The café was busy, but we found a table outside.
What are the main types of conjunctions?
The three common groups are coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions join equal parts. Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause. Correlative conjunctions work in matching pairs, such as both ... and and either ... or.
The café was busy, so we ordered drinks to go.
When should I use a comma before a conjunction?
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two complete clauses, as in The café was busy, but we found a table outside. Do not use that comma when the conjunction joins only words or short phrases, such as snacks and water.
Because the payment was late, the service stopped.
What is the difference between because and so?
Because introduces a reason: Because the payment was late, the service stopped. So introduces a result: The payment was late, so the service stopped. The facts may be related, but the conjunction tells the reader which direction the explanation goes.
The payment was late, and the service stopped.
How do correlative conjunctions work?
Correlative conjunctions come in pairs and join matching parts of a sentence. In Both the manager and the assistant signed the form, the pair joins two noun phrases. Keep the grammar after each half parallel so the sentence is easy to follow.
You can either print the form or save it as a PDF.