THE MASTER CONJUNCTIONS GUIDE

Every Coordinating, Subordinating & Correlative Conjunction — What It Means, When to Use
It, and an Example

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses. There are three families: Coordinating (joins
equal/similar elements), Subordinating (joins a dependent clause to a main clause), and Correlative (pairs
of conjunctions working together). Below, every conjunction is listed with its core usage stated in one short
line, exactly like: 'And → Adding similar ideas / items', 'But → Contrast / opposite ideas', 'Because →
Reasons / causes', 'Or → Choices / alternatives', 'Although → Unexpected situations / concession.'

1. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS — F A N B O Y S
These join two independent clauses, words, or phrases of equal grammatical rank. Remember them by the
acronym FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). Comma goes before them when joining two full
sentences.

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

For Reason / cause (formal, like He stayed home, for it was raining heavily.
'because')

And Adding similar ideas / items She bought apples, bananas, and oranges.

Nor Adding a second negative idea (after He doesn't smoke, nor does he drink.
a negative clause)

But Contrast / opposite ideas She is rich, but she lives simply.

Or Choices / alternatives You can have tea or coffee.

Yet Contrast, similar to 'but' (often It was raining, yet they went for a walk.
surprising contrast)

So Result / consequence He was tired, so he went to bed early.

2. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
These connect a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent (main) clause. Grouped below by
meaning so you know exactly which situation calls for which word.

2.1 Time (When something happens)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

When A specific point/moment in time I was cooking when she arrived.

Whenever Any/every time (repeated occasions) Whenever it rains, the roof leaks.

While Two actions happening at the same She read a book while he cooked dinner.
time

As Two short actions happening He waved as the train left.

simultaneously

Before One action happens earlier than Wash your hands before you eat.
another
 Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

After One action happens later than We went home after the movie ended.
another

Since Starting point of a time period (often I haven't seen him since he moved away.
with present perfect)

Until / Till Up to the time that (continuing till a Wait here until I come back.
point, often negative)

As soon as Immediately after another action Call me as soon as you land.

Once As soon as / after a condition is Once you finish, you can leave.
fulfilled

By the time One action completes before a By the time we arrived, the show had started.
deadline point

2.2 Reason / Cause (Why something happens)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

Because Reasons / causes (direct, most She left early because she was sick.
common)

Since Reason (assumed to be already Since you're here, let's start the meeting.
known — softer than 'because')

As Reason (formal alternative to As it was late, we took a taxi.

'because')

Given that Reason based on an established fact Given that prices rose, sales dropped.

Now that Reason based on a new/recent fact Now that you mention it, I remember.

Seeing that / Informal reason, similar to 'since' Seeing that it's raining, let's stay in.
Seeing as

2.3 Condition (What must happen for something else to happen)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

If A basic condition / possibility If it rains, we will cancel the trip.

Unless A negative condition = 'if...not' You won't pass unless you study.

Provided that / Condition that must be strictly You can go out, provided that you finish
Providing that satisfied homework.

As long as Condition that lasts for a duration You can stay as long as you're quiet.

Only if A strict, exclusive condition I'll help you only if you ask politely.

In case Precaution for a possible future event Take an umbrella in case it rains.

Even if Condition that doesn't change the Even if it rains, we'll still go.
result

Whether or not Condition applies regardless of We're going, whether or not you join.
choice
2.4 Contrast / Concession (Unexpected or opposite situations)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

Although Unexpected situations / concession Although he was tired, he finished the race.
(formal 'but')

Though Same as 'although', more He finished the race, though he was tired.
informal/flexible position

Even though Stronger concession than 'although' Even though she was scared, she spoke up.

Whereas Direct contrast between two facts He is generous, whereas his brother is stingy.
(formal)

While Contrast between two clauses While some like tea, others prefer coffee.
(formal)

Despite the fact Concession, very formal Despite the fact that it rained, we went out.
that

2.5 Purpose (The goal/intention behind an action)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

So that Purpose or intended result She saved money so that she could travel.

In order that Purpose (formal version of 'so that') He studied hard in order that he might pass.

Lest Purpose of avoiding something bad He ran fast lest he miss the bus.
(formal/literary)

2.6 Result / Effect (Consequence of a degree or extent)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

So...that Result of an extreme degree He was so tired that he fell asleep instantly.
(adjective/adverb)

Such...that Result of an extreme degree (noun It was such a hot day that we stayed indoors.
phrase)

2.7 Comparison / Manner (How something is done or compared)

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

As Manner — 'in the way that' Do it as I showed you.

As if Manner suggesting an He talks as if he knew everything.

unreal/hypothetical comparison

As though Same as 'as if', slightly more formal She looked at me as though I were a stranger.

Than Comparison between two things She is taller than her sister.

As...as Equal comparison He is as smart as his brother.

2.8 Place (Location-based clauses)

 Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

Where A specific place Sit where you like.

Wherever Any/every place (unspecified She follows him wherever he goes.

location)

3. CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
These come in pairs and connect two grammatically equal/balanced elements. Both parts of the pair must
be used together, and whatever follows the first part must match in structure with what follows the second.

Conjunction Core Usage (When to Use) Example Sentence

Both...and Adding two equally true/important Both my parents and my teachers supported
things me.

Either...or One of two choices/possibilities You can either call me or send an email.
(positive)

Neither...nor Negating two options together She likes neither coffee nor tea.

Not only...but also Emphasizing an additional, often He is not only smart but also hardworking.
surprising, fact

Whether...or Uncertainty between two options I don't know whether he'll come or not.

As...as Equal comparison This bag is as heavy as that one.

No sooner...than One event immediately follows No sooner had he arrived than it started
another raining.

Hardly/Scarcely... One event interrupted almost Hardly had she sat down when the phone
when immediately by another rang.

Such...that Extreme degree leading to a result It was such a good movie that I watched it
twice.

Rather...than Preference between two options I would rather walk than drive.

4. ONE-LINE QUICK REFERENCE (Just Like Your Example

Format)
And → Adding similar ideas / items
But → Contrast / opposite ideas
Or → Choices / alternatives
Nor → Adding a second negative idea
For → Reason / cause (formal)
Yet → Surprising contrast
So → Result / consequence
Because → Reasons / causes
Since → Reason (known fact) OR starting time point
As → Reason (formal) OR simultaneous time OR manner
If → Basic condition
Unless → Negative condition ('if not')
Although / Though / Even though → Unexpected situations / concession
Whereas / While → Direct contrast between two facts
So that / In order that → Purpose / intention
So...that / Such...that → Extreme result
When → Specific moment in time
Whenever → Any/every time (repeated)
Before / After → Sequence of events
Until / Till → Continuing up to a point
As soon as / Once → Immediate follow-up action
Where / Wherever → Place, specific or any
As if / As though → Hypothetical/unreal manner
Than → Comparison
Both...and → Two equally true things
Either...or → One of two choices
Neither...nor → Negating two options
Not only...but also → Emphasis on an added fact
Whether...or → Uncertainty between options
No sooner...than / Hardly...when → Immediate sequence of events

Master Conjunctions Guide — Coordinating, Subordinating & Correlative Conjunctions, Fully Categorized