Conjunctions are used to join clauses, phrases, and words together
for constructing sentences. Conjunctions make a link
between/among words or groups of words to other parts of the
sentence and show a relationship between/among them.
Example:
o Alex and Robin are playing together.
o Alex plays well, but Robin plays better than him.
o I play cricket, and Robin plays football.
o When he was sick, I went to see him.
Types of Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
Subordinating 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.
Example:
o We went to the stadium and enjoyed the cricket match.
o Do you want an ice cream or chocolate?
o Go away and never come back.
Correlative Conjunctions:
A 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.
Example:
o Neither Alex nor Robin can play baseball.
o I want both ice cream and
o He ate not only the ice cream but also the chocolate.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
A subordinating conjunction joins elements of an unparallel
sentence structure. These elements are usually a dependent clause
and an independent clause.
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/whomever.
Example:
o Before we left home, I had had my breakfast.
o Provided they come, we can start class Tuesday.
o When he was washing my car, I went to the store.
o Even though the weather was horrible, they still went
outside.
Kinds of co-ordinating conjunctions
Cumulative conjunction
A cumulative conjunction merely adds one statement to another. Examples
are: and, both…and, as well as, not only…but also
Alice cooked the dinner and Peter tidied the house.
She is both clever and beautiful.
Tom as well as John passed the test.
They not only looted the shop but also set it on fire.
Adversative conjunction
An adversative conjunction expresses opposition or contrast between two
statements. Examples are: but, still, yet, whereas, while, nevertheless etc.
The rope was thin but it was strong.
He is rich still he is unhappy.
There was little chance of success nevertheless they decided to go ahead.
Alternative conjunction
A conjunction which presents two alternatives, sometimes indicating a choice
between them, is called a disjunctive or alternative conjunction. Examples
are: or, either…or, neither…nor, neither, nor, otherwise, else
You can have coffee or tea.
You must either obey my instructions or quit.
I will neither obey your instructions nor quit.
She didn’t sing, neither did she dance.
You must pay the fine otherwise you will be punished.
Illative conjunctions
Conjunctions which express an inference are called illative
conjunctions. Examples are: for, so
Something fell for I heard a thud.
He works hard so he will win.
They must have gone out for nobody answers the phone.