Conjunctions: Types, Rules, and Examples
The 4 types of conjunctions usually taught in English grammar are coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so), subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, if), correlative conjunctions (pairs such as either…or and not only…but also), and conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, moreover). The first three are true conjunctions; conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that do a linking job, which is why some grammar books list only three types.
Each type follows its own punctuation rules, and most conjunction errors are really comma errors. The table below sums up all four; the sections after it give the rules, examples and the mistakes that cost marks in writing.
The 4 types at a glance
| Type | What it joins | Common examples | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinating | two equal parts: words, phrases or full sentences | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so | I was tired, so I went to bed. |
| Subordinating | a dependent clause to a main clause | because, although, when, if, since, until, while, unless | I went to bed because I was tired. |
| Correlative | two equal parts, using a pair of words | both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or | She speaks both French and Spanish. |
| Conjunctive adverb | two complete sentences, showing how the second relates to the first | however, therefore, moreover, otherwise, meanwhile, consequently | I was tired; however, I kept working. |
1. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)
There are seven coordinating conjunctions, remembered as FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. They join parts of the same kind: two nouns, two verbs, two phrases, or two independent clauses.
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for | because (formal, rare in speech) | He stayed silent, for he had nothing to add. |
| and | addition | We bought bread and cheese. |
| nor | and not (after a negative) | She didn’t call, nor did she write. |
| but | contrast | The hotel was old but clean. |
| or | choice | Would you like tea or coffee? |
| yet | surprising contrast | He trained hard, yet he lost the race. |
| so | result | It was raining, so we stayed inside. |
The comma rule
- Two complete sentences: put a comma before the conjunction. The shop was closed, so we went home. (Very short pairs can skip it: I came and I saw.)
- Two words or phrases: no comma. She sings and plays the guitar. Not: She sings, and plays the guitar.
- Three or more items: commas between them; the comma before the last and (the Oxford comma) is optional but must be used consistently. We need eggs, milk(,) and flour.
Note that nor at the start of a clause makes the subject and verb swap places: nor did she write, not nor she wrote. For more on the two most common ones, see sentences with “but”.
2. Subordinating conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction begins a dependent clause: a clause with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone. Because it was late is not a sentence; We left because it was late is. Subordinating conjunctions are grouped by the meaning they add:
| Meaning | Conjunctions | Example |
|---|---|---|
| time | when, while, before, after, until, since, as soon as, once, whenever | Call me as soon as you arrive. |
| reason | because, since, as | Since you’re here, you can help. |
| contrast / concession | although, though, even though, whereas, while | Although it was cold, we swam. |
| condition | if, unless, provided that, as long as, in case | You can borrow it as long as you return it. |
| purpose | so that, in order that | Speak slowly so that everyone understands. |
| place | where, wherever | Sit wherever you like. |
| comparison / manner | than, as if, as though, as | He talks as if he knows everything. |
The comma rule
- Dependent clause first: use a comma. If it rains, we’ll cancel.
- Main clause first: usually no comma. We’ll cancel if it rains.
- Contrast words like although and whereas often keep a comma even in second position: I like tea, whereas my sister prefers coffee.
Two meanings to watch: since can mean “from that time” (I’ve lived here since 2019) or “because” (Since you asked, I’ll tell you); while can mean “during the time that” or “whereas”. The context decides. The most used one has its own page: sentences with “because”.
3. Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs, and each half comes before one of the two parts being joined.
- both…and – Both my brother and my sister live abroad.
- either…or – You can either pay now or pay at the door.
- neither…nor – Neither the manager nor the staff knew the answer.
- not only…but also – She is not only a doctor but also a novelist.
- whether…or – I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
- no sooner…than – No sooner had we sat down than the phone rang.
- as…as – He is as tall as his father.
Two rules
Keep the parts parallel. What follows the first word must match in form what follows the second. She is not only clever but also kind (adjective + adjective) is right; She not only is clever but also kindness is wrong.
Verb agreement with either/or and neither/nor: the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Neither the teacher nor the students were ready. Neither the students nor the teacher was ready. If that sounds awkward, put the plural subject second.
After no sooner, not only and neither at the start of a sentence, the verb comes before the subject: Not only did she win, but she also broke the record.
4. Conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs (also called linking adverbs or transition words) connect two complete sentences and show their relationship. Because they are adverbs, they cannot join two sentences with just a comma.
| Meaning | Conjunctive adverbs |
|---|---|
| contrast | however, nevertheless, nonetheless, instead, still |
| result | therefore, consequently, thus, hence, accordingly |
| addition | moreover, furthermore, besides, also, in addition |
| time / sequence | meanwhile, then, afterwards, subsequently, finally |
| condition | otherwise |
| example / emphasis | for example, indeed, in fact |
The punctuation rule
Use a semicolon or a full stop before the conjunctive adverb, and usually a comma after it:
- The flight was delayed; however, we arrived on time.
- The flight was delayed. However, we arrived on time.
- Wrong: The flight was delayed, however we arrived on time. (This is a comma splice.)
Unlike true conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs can move inside the second sentence: We arrived, however, on time. We arrived on time, however. That freedom of position is the quick test: if the word can move, it is an adverb, not a conjunction.
How to tell the types apart: a quick test
- Is it a pair of words (either…or, both…and)? It is correlative.
- Is it one of the seven FANBOYS? It is coordinating.
- Does the clause it starts fail to stand alone (because I was late)? It is subordinating.
- Can the word move inside the second sentence, and does it need a semicolon before it? It is a conjunctive adverb.
Some words belong to more than one class. Before, after, since and until are subordinating conjunctions when a clause follows (after we ate) and prepositions when only a noun follows (after lunch). Our preposition and conjunction worksheet practises exactly this difference.
Pairs that confuse learners
- so vs so that: so gives a result (It was late, so I took a taxi); so that gives a purpose (I took a taxi so that I wouldn’t be late).
- although vs despite: although is a conjunction and needs a clause (although it rained); despite is a preposition and needs a noun or -ing form (despite the rain, despite being tired).
- because vs because of: because + clause (because it was noisy); because of + noun (because of the noise).
- like vs as if: in formal writing, use as if before a clause: It looks as if it will rain. Like before a clause is common in speech but informal.
- while vs during: while + clause (while we were eating); during + noun (during dinner).
- unless vs if not: they usually mean the same: unless you study = if you don’t study. Never combine them: unless you don’t study is wrong.
Common mistakes
- Comma splice with however: It was late, however we stayed. Fix: It was late; however, we stayed.
- A fragment starting with because: Because I missed the bus. on its own is not a sentence. Join it: I was late because I missed the bus.
- Double conjunctions: Although it was raining, but we went out. Use one: Although it was raining, we went out or It was raining, but we went out.
- Neither…or: neither pairs with nor, and either with or.
- Unparallel pairs: He likes both swimming and to run. Fix: both swimming and running.
- Comma before every and: no comma when and joins only two words or phrases.
- Starting a sentence with and or but: this is not an error. It is acceptable in most writing; just don’t overdo it in formal essays.
Practice
Name the type of the underlined word(s) and check the punctuation.
- I wanted to go, but I had no money.
- Unless you hurry, you’ll miss the train.
- She can neither sing nor dance.
- The road was icy; therefore, we drove slowly.
- We stayed at home because it was snowing.
- Correct this sentence: He studied hard, however he failed.
Answers: 1. coordinating (comma before but joins two sentences). 2. subordinating (comma after the opening clause). 3. correlative. 4. conjunctive adverb (semicolon before, comma after). 5. subordinating (no comma: main clause first). 6. He studied hard; however, he failed.
For a longer set of examples, see conjunction sentence examples.
Quick answers
What are the 4 types of conjunctions?
Coordinating, subordinating, correlative and conjunctive adverbs. Grammars that count only true conjunctions list three and treat conjunctive adverbs as adverbs.
How many coordinating conjunctions are there?
Seven: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
Is “however” a conjunction?
Not strictly. It is a conjunctive adverb, so it needs a semicolon or full stop before it when it links two sentences.
Can I start a sentence with “because”?
Yes, as long as the main clause follows: Because the bus was late, I missed the meeting.
