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GRAMMAR LESSON

Conjunctions – Types, Linking, Subordinating

Intermediate

Parts of Speech

UNDERSTAND THE PATTERN

The rule in plain English

Conjunctions connect words, phrases or clauses. And, but and or coordinate; because and although introduce subordinate clauses; either…or and both…and work in pairs. Choose the connector that expresses the relationship you mean.

SEE HOW IT WORKS

Examples in context

  1. I like tea and coffee.
  2. I stayed home because it rained.
  3. Either call me or send a message.

MAKE IT STICK

Put the rule into practice

Try 3 questions. Read the explanation after each answer, then review any mistakes and try again.

Make it yours

Write one sentence about your life using this grammar.

Check your sentence

Conjunctions connect words, phrases or clauses. And, but and or coordinate; because and although introduce subordinate clauses; either…or and both…and work in pairs. Choose the connector that expresses the relationship you mean.

Compare: I like tea and coffee.

Check the sentence structure and whether your meaning fits the rule.

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GO DEEPER

Explore the full explanation

Connect ideas clearly

Conjunctions link words, phrases or clauses. Choose one for the relationship you intend: addition, contrast, choice, reason, time or condition. A sentence can sometimes accept several conjunctions, but its meaning changes.

Coordinating conjunctions

The traditional FANBOYS group is for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. These connect units of equal grammatical status.

  • And: We packed pencils and notebooks.
  • But: He was tired, but he continued working.
  • Or: You can walk or take the bus.
  • So: The library was closed, so we went home.
  • Nor: She does not drink tea, nor does she drink coffee. Notice the inverted order after nor in this pattern.

In ordinary edited prose, a comma commonly separates two independent clauses joined by a coordinator. Do not insert a comma automatically between two simple items, as in tea and coffee.

Subordinating conjunctions

Words such as because, although, if, when and since introduce dependent clauses.

  • We stayed inside because it was raining. Reason.
  • Although it was raining, we continued walking. Contrast.
  • Since he arrived, he has been working. Time.
  • If the shop is open, we will buy paper. Condition.

In since morning, since is followed by a noun rather than a clause and is traditionally classified as a preposition. In since he arrived, it introduces a clause. Look at the construction, not just the word.

Paired conjunctions

Use parallel structures: either walk or cycle; both the teacher and the students; neither expensive nor complicated. In not only … but also, keep the connected elements grammatically comparable.

Quick self-check

  1. Express a reason, choosing because/although: We postponed the walk ___ the path was flooded.
  2. Express a contrast, choosing and/but: The exercise was difficult, ___ we completed it.
  3. Complete the pair: either tea ___ coffee.
Check the answers

1. Because gives the reason. 2. But highlights the contrast. 3. Or completes either … or.

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