ENGLISH GRAMMAR · LESSON 10 · BEGINNER

Conjunctions in English Grammar: Types and Examples

Read these sentences: “Ravi likes tea and coffee.” “I wanted to play, but it was raining.” “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” The highlighted words connect words or ideas. They are called conjunctions.

Conjunctions connect words, phrases and clauses to make writing flow smoothly.

1. What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases or clauses. It helps show how the ideas are related—for example, addition, contrast, choice, reason, time or condition.

Connection	Example	What it shows
Words	I bought apples and oranges.	Addition
Ideas in contrast	He is young, but he is wise.	Contrast
Choice	Would you like tea or coffee?	Choice
Reason	We stayed home because it rained.	Reason

2. Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases or clauses of equal grammatical importance. A useful memory aid is FANBOYS.

Conjunction	Use	Example
For	Reason or explanation; somewhat formal	We went inside, for the wind was getting stronger.
And	Addition	She sings and dances.
Nor	Adds a negative idea	He did not call, nor did he send a message.
But	Contrast	I was tired, but I finished my work.
Or	Choice or alternative	Hurry up, or you will miss the bus.
Yet	Unexpected contrast	The task was difficult, yet she completed it.
So	Result	It was late, so we went home.

Punctuation tip: When a coordinating conjunction joins two complete sentences, a comma is commonly placed before it: “I called her, but she did not answer.” A comma is not usually needed when joining two simple words: “tea and coffee.”

3. Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause—a group of words that cannot usually stand alone as a complete sentence in that use. The clause gives information about reason, time, condition, contrast or purpose.

Relationship	Common conjunctions	Example
Reason	because, since, as	I wore a jacket because it was cold.
Time	when, while, before, after, until	Call me when you arrive.
Condition	if, unless, provided that	You will improve if you practise.
Contrast or concession	although, though, even though	Although it rained, we continued.
Purpose	so that, in order that	Speak clearly so that everyone can hear.
Comparison	than, as...as	She is taller than I expected.

A dependent clause can come first or second. When it comes first, a comma is commonly used after it: “Although it was late, we continued studying.” When it comes after the main clause, the comma is often unnecessary: “We continued studying although it was late.”

4. Correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs. They connect balanced parts of a sentence, so try to keep the grammar on both sides parallel.

Pair	Example
either...or	You can either walk or take the bus.
neither...nor	Neither Riya nor Meena was absent.
both...and	Both my brother and my sister enjoy reading.
not only...but also	He is not only helpful but also patient.
whether...or	I cannot decide whether to stay or leave.

Parallel structure: “She likes both reading and swimming” sounds balanced. Avoid mixing forms unnecessarily, such as “She likes both reading and to swim.”

5. Choosing the right conjunction

Meaning you want	Choose	Example
Add one more idea	and	We bought fruit and vegetables.
Show a contrast	but, yet, although	It was cold, but we went out.
Give a reason	because, since	I rested because I was tired.
Show a result	so	I was tired, so I rested.
Give a choice	or, either...or	You may choose tea or juice.
Give a condition	if, unless	You will miss the bus unless you hurry.

Compare because and so: “We stayed inside because it rained” gives the reason. “It rained, so we stayed inside” gives the result. In standard writing, avoid using both together in the same simple structure: “Because it rained, so we stayed inside.”

6. Common mistakes

Incorrect	Better sentence	Reason
Although he was tired, but he worked.	Although he was tired, he worked.	Do not normally use although and but together for the same contrast.
Because it was raining, so we stayed home.	Because it was raining, we stayed home.	Because already introduces the reason.
She is both smart as well as kind.	She is both smart and kind.	Use the pair both...and.
Either you apologise nor leave.	Either you apologise or leave.	Use either...or.
I like tea, coffee.	I like tea and coffee.	Use a conjunction to join the items.

7. Practice questions

Fill in the blank: I wanted to go out, ______ it was raining. (but / because)
Choose the conjunction of reason: We stayed home ______ we were unwell. (because / or)
Complete the pair: ______ you study regularly, you will improve. (If / Yet)
Join the sentences using and: “Aman reads. Aman writes.”
Correct the sentence: “Although she was tired, but she finished her homework.”
Complete the pair: You can either call me ______ send a message.
Identify the conjunction: “Wait here until I return.”
Choose the correct word: It was getting late, ______ we left. (so / because)

Show answers and explanations

but — it shows contrast.
because — it gives the reason.
If — it introduces a condition.
“Aman reads and writes.”
“Although she was tired, she finished her homework.” Alternatively: “She was tired, but she finished her homework.”
or — either...or gives a choice.
until — it introduces a time clause.
so — it introduces the result.

Quick revision

Type	Examples	Job
Coordinating	and, but, or, so	Joins equal grammatical parts
Subordinating	because, if, although, when	Introduces a dependent clause
Correlative	either...or, both...and	Uses a matching pair