Conjunctions – Types, Linking, Subordinating

📘 Rule Summary

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. It helps combine ideas, show relationships, and create logical flow in writing or speech. There are three main types: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.

📝 Examples

I like tea and coffee. (coordinating)

She went home because she was tired. (subordinating)

Either you start now or you miss the chance. (correlative)

📖 Explanation

🧠 Day 17: Conjunctions – Connecting Ideas and Sentences

✍️ Conjunctions are the invisible threads of language. Without them, every sentence feels short, choppy, and disconnected. With them, writing becomes smooth, logical, and powerful.

🌱 Level 1 – Beginner (A1–A2): What is a Conjunction?

A conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses. They help join similar ideas or show contrast, reason, or choice.

🔤 1. Coordinating Conjunctions

These connect equal parts (word to word, phrase to phrase, or clause to clause).
There are 7 main coordinating conjunctions, remembered by the acronym FANBOYS:

Letter	Conjunction	Example
F	for	He left early, for he was tired.
A	and	I like apples and oranges.
N	nor	She doesn’t drink tea, nor coffee.
B	but	I’m tired, but I’ll finish.
O	or	Would you like tea or coffee?
Y	yet	It was late, yet they stayed.
S	so	He was sick, so he stayed home.

🧠 Coordinating conjunctions join equals — two independent clauses, lists, or ideas.

🧩 Practice:

I can sing ___ dance. (and)
He was tired, ___ he continued working. (yet)
Do you prefer pizza ___ pasta? (or)

🌿 Level 2 – Intermediate (B1–B2): Subordinating & Correlative Conjunctions

🔄 2. Subordinating Conjunctions

These connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.

Conjunction	Use	Example
because	reason	I stayed in because it rained.
although	contrast	Although he tried, he failed.
if	condition	I’ll go if it doesn’t rain.
when	time	Call me when you arrive.
since	time/reason	Since morning, he’s been working.
unless	condition	You’ll fail unless you study.
while	time/contrast	I cooked while he cleaned.

🧠 Subordinating conjunctions create complex sentences:

Because she was late, she missed the meeting.
She missed the meeting because she was late.

Note: Subordinating clauses can appear before or after the main clause.

🧠 Subordinating Examples in Context:

Although it was raining, we went outside.
We’ll go to the beach if the sun comes out.
She speaks softly so that the baby can sleep.

🔁 3. Correlative Conjunctions

These work in pairs to connect elements equally.

Pair	Example
either…or	Either come now or miss the bus.
neither…nor	Neither the cat nor the dog slept.
both…and	She likes both coffee and tea.
not only…but also	He is not only smart but also kind.
whether…or	I don’t know whether he’ll come or not.

🧠 Correlative conjunctions must be balanced on both sides of the sentence.

📘 Mini Story – A Day of Choices

Lisa had two invitations: a concert and a birthday party. She could either go to the concert or attend the party. She not only wanted to celebrate with her friend but also didn’t want to miss the show.
Although she was confused, she decided to call her friend and explain. Her friend smiled and said, “You should enjoy the concert. We’ll celebrate tomorrow.” Lisa felt relieved.
She danced all night — it was the right choice, for music always lifted her spirits.

🧠 Notice how conjunctions like either…or, not only…but also, although, and for help structure the logic of her decision.

🌳 Level 3 – Professional (C1–C2): Formal Use, Comma Rules, and Style Tips

✅ Comma Use with Conjunctions

Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions when connecting two independent clauses:

✅ I was tired, but I finished.
✅ She was sick, so she stayed home.

No comma for simple conjunctions joining words:

❌ I like, tea and coffee.
✅ I like tea and coffee.

When starting with subordinating clauses, use a comma:

✅ If it rains, we’ll cancel the trip.
✅ We’ll cancel the trip if it rains. (No comma needed)

⚠️ Common Global Errors

❌ I like both tea and.
✅ I like both tea and coffee. (Incomplete pair)
❌ I go school because it is Monday.
✅ I go to school because it is Monday. (Missing preposition)
❌ He is tall but he is fast.
✅ He is tall, but he is fast. (Comma before conjunction joining two clauses)

🧠 Advanced Linking with Conjunctions

Some conjunctions express more complex logic in academic/professional writing:

Conjunction	Example
as though	He behaves as though he knows everything.
even if	I’ll go even if I’m tired.
in order that	She left early in order that she could catch the bus.
provided that	You can go provided that you finish homework.

🔁 Conjunction Summary Table

Type	Examples
Coordinating	and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor
Subordinating	because, although, if, when, since
Correlative	either…or, both…and, not only…but also

🔁 Practice Sentences (Fill in the blank):

I wanted to go to the market, ___ I had no money. (but)
She sings ___ dances beautifully. (and)
We will leave ___ the rain stops. (when)
I will eat sushi ___ pizza. (or)
He is ___ smart ___ humble. (not only…but also)
___ he tried, he couldn’t pass. (Although)
I’ll help you ___ you need me. (if)
She reads ___ writes in English fluently. (and)
We stayed inside ___ it was snowing. (because)
___ you leave now ___ stay and face the truth. (Either…or)