What are the different types of conjunction? Find out their definitions and examples.
TYPES OF CONJUNCTIONS – These are the words that are used to combine two or more objects, phrases, or clauses, and here are the different types.
What is a conjunction? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, this is “a word such as ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘while’, or ‘although’ that connects words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence.” Some of the most commonly used conjunctions often heard or read in daily conversations are:
| And | Or | Nor |
| But | Yet | So |
| Because | Still | For |
| Not only…but also | As | When |
| While | As soon as | If |
| Unless | In case | In addition to |
| Whereas | Though | Although |
| Until | Before | After |
| Even if | Rather than | So that |
| Either…or | As if | Neither…or |
| Both…and | Whether…or | Or else |
These words are also called connectors, as they connect objects or phrases and appear in the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence depending on the position of the objects or phrases. Conjunctions have three types, and they are:
| TYPES | DEFINITIONS | EXAMPLES |
| Coordinating | used to combine two independent clauses | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so |
| Subordinating | used to combine an independent clause and a dependent clause | if, although, though, after, before, because, as if, unless, until, when, while, etc. |
| Correlative | used to combine two phrases that hold equal importance within a sentence | not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, whether…or, rather…or, if…then, etc. |
Examples in sentences:
- Coordinating
- Joining Independent Clauses (Subject + verb + object, [coordinating conjunction] subject + verb + object)
- Examples:
- I like volleyball, and I like football.
- The story is confusing, but I am now starting to understand the plot.
- Examples:
- Joining Words and Phrases
- Examples:
- My favorite foods are sushi and salad.
- I will play either soccer or basketball.
- Examples:
- Joining Independent Clauses (Subject + verb + object, [coordinating conjunction] subject + verb + object)
- Subordinating
- Examples:
- When the doorbell rang, my dog immediately barked loudly.
- Sara begins to sneeze whenever she smells a flower.
- Examples:
- Correlative
- Examples:
- Either you will tell the truth or face the hard consequences.
- Not only did he cheat on me, but he also hurt me physically.
- Examples: