9. Conjunctions

In our lesson, we will talk about conjunctions in English grammar.

Conjunctions are like the glue that holds words, phrases, or sentences together in English. They help us connect ideas smoothly, making our speech and writing more coherent and understandable. Think of them as bridges that link different parts of a sentence.

Example Sentences:

• She likes apples and oranges.
• “I want to play soccer, but it’s raining.”

Common Conjunctions

Here are some of the most common conjunctions you will use:

1. And: We use “and” to add things together.
   • Example: “I like apples and bananas.”
   • This means you like both apples and bananas.
2. But: We use “but” to show a difference or contrast.
   • Example: “I like tea, but I don’t like coffee.”
   • This means you like tea, but coffee is different because you don’t like it.
3. Or: We use “or” to show a choice.
   • Example: “Do you want tea or coffee?”
   • This means you can choose one: tea or coffee.
4. Because: We use “because” to give a reason.
   • Example: “I am happy because it is sunny.”
   • This means the reason you are happy is that it is sunny.
5. So: We use “so” to show a result.
   • Example: “It is raining, so I will stay inside.”
   • This means because it is raining, the result is that you will stay inside.

There are three main types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions: These are the most common type and are easy to remember with the acronym FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. They connect words, phrases, or independent clauses (complete sentences) that are similar or equal in structure. For example:

“I want to play soccer, but it’s raining.”
“She likes apples and oranges.”

2.Subordinating Conjunctions: These introduce dependent clauses, which are parts of a sentence that cannot stand alone. They show a relationship between the independent clause and the dependent clause, such as time, reason, condition, or contrast. Common subordinating conjunctions include because, although, since, unless, and while. For example:

“I stayed home because it was raining.”
“We will go for a walk if the rain stops.”

3.Correlative Conjunctions: These work in pairs to join equal elements in a sentence. Some common pairs are either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also. For example:

“Either you can come with us, or you can stay home.”
“She is not only smart but also kind.”

Conjunction	Usage	Example
And	Adds information	I like tea and coffee.
But	Shows contrast or difference	I am tired, but I will work.
Or	Offers a choice	Do you want pizza or pasta?
Because	Gives a reason	I am happy because it’s sunny.
So	Shows a result	It was late, so I went to bed.

Using conjunctions helps make your sentences more interesting and complex. They allow you to express multiple ideas in a single sentence, making your communication clearer and more effective.

Summary

Conjunctions are words that connect other words or parts of a sentence. Common conjunctions include “and,” “but,” “or,” “because,” and “so.”

Grammar Exercises

Practice online and check your results with answers.

Practice Exercise

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