List of Conjunctions: Words, Rules & Uses in English Grammar

Conjunctions are a key part of English grammar, connecting words, phrases, and clauses to form clear and meaningful sentences. Familiarity with a list of conjunctions, along with examples, can improve both your writing and speaking skills. Understanding the rules and uses of conjunctions is especially helpful for constructing correct sentences and enhancing overall communication. In this article, we provide a detailed list of conjunctions, their types, and practical usage tips to help you master this important aspect of English grammar.

What is a Conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that connects two or more words, phrases, or clauses within a single sentence. It helps link ideas smoothly, making sentences more meaningful and easier to understand. Without conjunctions, we would have to write many short and choppy sentences.

Examples:

Conjunction	Example	Function
And	I like tea and coffee.	Connects two nouns or ideas
Or	You can have juice or water.	Offers a choice between options
But	She wanted to go, but it started raining.	Shows contrast between ideas
Because	He stayed home because he was unwell.	Gives a reason for an action

What is the use of Conjunctions?

Conjunctions help connect words, phrases, or clauses to make sentences smoother and easier to understand. Let us look at some practical examples:

Example 1: She will visit her grandparents and she will go to her friend’s house afterwards.

Explanation: The conjunction and links two related actions, creating a smooth flow. Without it, the sentence would be blunt: She will visit her grandparents. She will go to her friend’s house afterwards. Using and makes the sentence more connected and readable.

Example 2: You can either be relaxed or tense, but you cannot be both at the same time.

Explanation: The conjunctions either…or and but show contrast and limitation. They clarify that only one of the options is possible, helping the reader understand the meaning more clearly.

Types of Conjunctions

Conjunctions are classified into four main types, each serving a distinct role in connecting words, phrases, or clauses. These types are explained in detail below:

1. Coordinating Conjunction Words

2. Subordinating Conjunction Words

3. Correlative Conjunction Words

4. Conjunctive Adverbs

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions link equal parts of a sentence, including words, phrases, or independent clauses. When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, a comma is placed before the conjunction.

The most commonly used coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. To remember them easily, you can use the acronym FANBOYS.

These conjunctions join ideas of equal importance. They do not make one idea dependent on another, but instead combine them smoothly into a single sentence.

Examples:

1. I like tea and coffee. 

2. She wanted to go, but it started raining.

3. You can have juice or water. 

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause with an independent clause. They show relationships such as cause, time, condition, or contrast.

Subordinating Conjunction Words: because, although, since, if, when, while, unless

Subordinating conjunctions help to connect two ideas where one depends on the other. They are useful when you want to explain reasons, conditions, or contrasts.

Examples:

1. I stayed home because it was raining.

2. Although he was tired, he finished his homework.

3. We will go to the park if it stops raining.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions always work in pairs to join equal parts of a sentence. Both parts of the pair must be used together for the sentence to make sense.

Correlative Conjunction Words: either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also, whether…or

Correlative conjunctions help to balance sentences and emphasise two connected ideas or options.

Examples:

1. You can either call me or send a message.

2. She is not only smart but also hardworking.

3. Both the teacher and the students enjoyed the project.

4.  Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs connect two independent clauses and show the relationship between them, such as contrast, cause and effect, sequence, or comparison. They often make writing more formal and smooth.

Conjunctive Adverb Words: however, therefore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless, instead, meanwhile, finally, otherwise, hence, similarly.

Conjunctive adverbs help to link ideas with clarity and improve sentence flow. When used between two independent clauses, they are usually preceded by a semicolon (;) and followed by a comma (,).

Examples:

1. I studied very late; therefore, I felt tired in the morning.

2. He wanted to buy the shoes; however, they were too expensive.

3. We left early; meanwhile, our friends stayed until the end of the event.

Explore: Types of Conjunction

List of Conjunctions

Here is the list of top-used conjunction words examples that you can use in day-to-day life:

Type of Conjunction	Conjunction Words	Example Sentence
Coordinating Conjunctions	For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So	She was tired, but she still completed her homework.
Correlative Conjunctions	Either…or, Neither…nor, Not only…but also, Whether…or, No sooner…than, Both…and, As well as	You can either stay here or come with us.
Subordinating Conjunctions	Because, Since, If, Although, Though, While, Until, Unless, After, Before, When, As soon as, Provided that, In order that, So that, Such that, As if	She stayed home because it was raining.
Conjunctive Adverbs (used as conjunctions)	However, Therefore, Nevertheless, Otherwise, Still, Meanwhile, Hence	He studied hard; therefore, he scored well in the exam.

Explore: Conjunction Words You Should Know to Improve Your English

Rules of Conjunction Words

Here are the important rules of conjunctions and some conjunction word examples that you must know about:

Rule	Explanation
Use of and, as well as, both…and, not only…but also	The conjunction words are used to emphasise the connection between two ideas.
Use of so…as and as…as	The list of conjunctions is used to compare two people or things.
Use of although and though	The conjunction words are followed by yet or a comma in the same sentence.
Use of pairs no sooner…than, hardly…when, scarcely…when	The pairs of conjunction words must be used together in the correct form.
Use of lest	Lest is followed by should or the base form of the verb. Since it is negative, it should not be used with not or never.
Use of until and unless	Until refers to time. Unless refers to condition. Both are negative words and should not be used with no, not, never.
Use of if or whether with doubt/doubtful	In affirmative sentences, use if or whether. In negative sentences, use that.
Placement of not only…but also	The conjunction words should be placed before the words or phrases being joined.
Use of between…and and from…to	Between is always followed by and. From is always followed by to.
Use of neither of and none of	Neither of is used for two. None of is used for more than two.
Use of either of and one of	Either of is used for two. One of is used when more than two are concerned.
Use after rather and other	After rather and other, subordinating conjunctions should be used.

Examples of Conjunction Words

After understanding the types and rules of conjunctions, it becomes easier to see how they are applied in real sentences. The following examples will help students connect the usage of conjunctions with everyday language.

Examples of Conjunction Words	Conjunction(s) Used	Type
We went to play cricket but we couldn’t as it began raining.	but	Coordinating
His brother and you look alike.	and	Coordinating
His intentions are not wrong; only he is a little thoughtless.	only	Conjunctive Adverb
We must water the plants; otherwise they will die.	otherwise	Conjunctive Adverb
He played both…and football when he was young.	both…and	Correlative
He is not only…but also arrogant.	not only…but also	Correlative
He is as…as you.	as…as	Correlative
Though he did not work hard, he passed the exams.	though	Subordinating
Barely…when he driven the car a mile when it broke down.	barely…when	Correlative
Walk carefully lest you fall.	lest	Subordinating
Wait there until you receive my call.	until	Subordinating
I am doubtful if he will pass the exam.	if	Subordinating
He not only…but also double-crossed them.	not only…but also	Correlative
You will have to choose between…and commerce.	between…and	Correlative
Neither of the children was hurt.	neither	Correlative
He would rather…than buy a car than a scooter.	rather…than	Correlative

Also Read: Examples of Conjunctions With Exercises and Answers

Practice Exercise with Conjunction Words List

To strengthen your understanding, here is a set of practice exercises with conjunction words. These will help you apply the rules you’ve learned and improve sentence formation skills

Section A: Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions.

Instructions: Choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.

1. I was tired, ___ I finished my homework.
Answer: but

2. She is smart ___ hardworking.
Answer: and

3. You can stay here ___ you can leave.
Answer: or

4. He did not go to school ___ he was unwell.
Answer: because

5. They played cricket ___ football in the evening.
Answer: and

6. He is rich, ___ he is not happy.
Answer: but

7. We must hurry, ___ we will miss the bus.
Answer: or

8. She sings ___ dances very well.
Answer: and

9. The boy was punished ___ he had disobeyed the teacher.
Answer: because

10. He worked hard, ___ he failed.
Answer: yet

Section B: Join the sentences using conjunctions.

Instructions: Rewrite as one sentence using a suitable conjunction.

1. She is intelligent. She is lazy.
Answer: She is intelligent but lazy.

2. The sun set. The stars appeared.
Answer: The sun set and the stars appeared.

3. He is poor. He is honest.
Answer: He is poor but honest.

4. She will not come. She is invited.
Answer: She will not come although she is invited.

5. I looked for my pen. I could not find it.
Answer: I looked for my pen but could not find it.

6. The bell rang. The students left the class.
Answer: The bell rang and the students left the class.

7. He worked hard. He succeeded.
Answer: He worked hard and succeeded.

8. She likes painting. She does not like drawing.
Answer: She likes painting but does not like drawing.

9. We can go to the park. We can go to the museum.
Answer: We can go to the park or the museum.

10. He studied well. He topped the class.
Answer: He studied well and topped the class.

Understanding conjunctions is important for forming clear and meaningful sentences. By learning their types, rules, and correct usage, students can connect ideas effectively and improve both writing and speaking skills. Regular practice with exercises strengthens this understanding and ensures accurate application in daily communication.

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