3 Types of Conjunctions You Can Use in a Sentence

In English grammar, a conjunction is one of the parts of a sentence you can use to combine multiple words, clauses, or phrases together. Common conjunctions include “and,” “but,” “or,” “while,” “though,” “except,” “until,” “although,” “whether,” “so,” and “however,” but there are many others in American English. Prepositions can sometimes function as conjunctions, depending on their placement in the sentence. By using conjunctions in your sentences, you can make complex sentences rather than simple sentences.

A coordinating conjunction joins two or more grammatical components of equal importance, such as words, clauses, or phrases to create a compound sentence. Coordinating conjunctions perform in a similar purpose to a word like “additionally” or “regardless,” which are conjunctive adverbs, in a sentence; however conjunctive adverbs modify clauses, whereas a coordinating conjunction joins clauses.

One way to recall the seven coordinating conjunctions is by remembering the acronym FANBOYS. This mnemonic device helps you remember each of the seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to correlate two parts of a sentence of equal importance. Correlative conjunctions often connect two singular subjects with a singular verb, or two plural subjects with a plural verb. Correlative conjunctions apply a relation between two subjects or two verbs that act in tandem with each other.

In English grammar, a subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause (or subordinate clause) to an independent clause (or main clause) to make a complex sentence. These single words or phrases clarify specific information about the sentence like time, cause, or condition. Clauses that begin with a subordinating conjunction cannot stand on their own as a complete sentence and would simply be sentence fragments.

Using a conjunction properly depends on the type of conjunction you’re using and where it is in the sentence. Here are a few tips for using conjunctions properly.

1. 1. Punctuate a subordinating conjunction according to its placement in the sentence. If the subordinating conjunction is at the beginning of a sentence, then use a comma following the dependent clause. If the subordinating conjunction comes after an independent clause, do not use a comma.
2. 2. You usually omit a comma with a correlative conjunction. They apply relation between two words, phrases, or clauses, and do not need the extra punctuation.
3. 3. You might or might not need to use a comma with a coordinating conjunction. If you are punctuating a sentence with a coordinating conjunction that pairs words or phrases, do not use a comma. If you are punctuating two or more independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction.

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