Conjunctions in English - Explore Meaning, Definition, Types, Usage and Examples

I bought bread. I bought butter. I bought eggs. I bought vegetables. I bought fruits. I bought milk.

Does it sound right? No. Have you heard of conjunctions? This article discusses the meaning, definition, types and usage of conjunctions. Also, take a look at the examples and try out the practice questions to have a better idea of the topic.

Table of Contents

• What Are Conjunctions?
  • Definition of a Conjunction
• Types of Conjunctions
• Examples of Conjunctions
  • List of Most Commonly Used Conjunctions in Daily Communication
• Check Your Understanding of Conjunctions
• Frequently Asked Questions on Conjunctions in English

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are used to combine two or more objects, phrases or clauses. It can also be termed as connectors as they are employed in sentences to make connections. Conjunctions can normally be found in the latter part of a sentence if they are used to connect clauses. If conjunctions are used to connect objects or phrases, they can appear in the beginning, middle or end of the sentence according to the position of the objects or phrases.

Definition of a Conjunction

A conjunction, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is defined as “a word such as ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘while’, or ‘although’ that connects words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence.” The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a conjunction as “an uninflected linguistic form that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words.”

A conjunction is “word that joins words, phrases or sentences, for example and, but or so”, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. The Collins Dictionary gives a slightly different definition. According to it, a conjunction is “any word or group of words, other than a relative pronoun, that connects words, phrases, or clauses.”

Types of Conjunctions

Conjunctions are mainly used to join actions, ideas and thoughts. They are categorised into three main types:

• Coordinating conjunctions – used to combine two independent clauses. Examples of coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
• Subordinating conjunctions – used to combine an independent clause and a dependent clause. Examples of subordinating conjunctions are if, although, though, after, before, because, as if, unless, until, when, while, etc.
• Correlative conjunctions – used to combine two phrases or parts of the sentence which have equal importance within a sentence. Examples of correlative conjunctions are not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, whether…or, rather…or, if…then, etc.

Examples of Conjunctions

Have a look at the following sentences to understand how conjunctions can be employed in sentences.

• Sruthi and I visited Gokarna last weekend.
• Do you have a rough notebook or at least a rough sheet of paper?
• I did not go to work today because I was not keeping well.
• She did not like the food, yet she ate it.
• I will be leaving tomorrow so I am trying to finish all the pending assignments.

List of Most Commonly Used Conjunctions in Daily Communication

Given below is a list of most commonly used conjunctions that you can use in your daily communication.

Check Your Understanding of Conjunctions

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate conjunctions in the following sentences:

1. Deepak ________ Santhosh are best friends.

2. Make sure you work hard ______ you will not be able to score good marks.

3. _______ Anna does not cook much, she loves baking.

4. Let me know ______ you will be able to make it to the party.

5. I have to go home now ______ I really wish I could stay for some more time.

6. I am not well _______ I decided to take a day off from work.

7. _________ you work out regularly, you will not see any results.

8. He had no money, _____he was prepared to help me

9. I could not find the place ___________ I lost the map.

10. ________ I was walking on the street, I found a wounded dog.

Find out if you have answered it all correctly.

1. Deepak and Santhosh are best friends.

2. Make sure you work hard or you will not be able to score good marks.

3. Although Anna does not cook much, she loves baking.

4. Let me know if you will be able to make it to the party.

5. I have to go home now but I really wish I could stay for some more time.

6. I am not well, so I decided to take a day off from work.

7. Unless you work out regularly, you will not see any results.

8. He had no money, yet he was prepared to help me.

9. I could not find the place since/because I lost the map.

10. While I was walking on the street, I found a wounded dog.