English Conjunctions

English Conjunctions and Their Functions

English Conjunctions and Their Functions

What are conjunctions?

English conjunctions are words or sets of words that are used to join sentences or parts of sentences smoothly together. If you plan to write English essays, you need to know how to use conjunctions effectively. There are three types of conjunctions in the English language that will be explained below.

Coordinating Conjunctions

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions in English, and you can memorize them easily with the help of this simple acronym (FANBOYS) standing for: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Bear in mind that coordinating conjunctions join main clauses or independent sentences.

Correlative Conjunctions

In the English language, we have four correlative conjunctions as listed below:

Both … and
Either … or
Neither … nor
Not only … but also

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions like although, because, etc. join a subordinate clause (dependent sentence) to a main clause (independent sentence), while coordinating conjunctions join only main clauses (independent sentences).

Addition

Conjunctions	Examples	Explanations
additionally	A new contract is in place. Additionally, staff will be offered a bonus scheme.	Subordinate Conjunction
also	She sings beautifully and also plays the flute and piano.	Adverb
and	She picked up the kitten and put it in the box.	Coordinating Conjunction
as well
besides	Do you play any other sports besides football and basketball?She won’t mind your being late – besides, it’s hardly your fault.	Adverb & Preposition
both … and	Both he and his wife enjoy tennis.Both Mike and Jim have red hair.	Correlative Conjunction
furthermore	He is old and unpopular. Furthermore, he has at best only two years of political life ahead of him.	Sentence Adverb
likewise	The clams were delicious. Likewise, the eggplant was excellent.	Sentence Adverb
more to the point	When did she leave, and, more to the point, why?	Sentence Adverb
moreover	The rent is reasonable and, moreover, the location is perfect.The whole report is badly written. Moreover, it is inaccurate.	Sentence Adverb
not only … but also	The system was not only complicated but also ineffective.Not only did I like the film, but also I hated it.	Correlative ConjunctionWhen not only is located at the beginning of the sentence, the sentence is inverted, i.e. it takes the question form, although it is a statement.
what is more	The decorations were absolutely beautiful and what’s more, the children had made them themselves.	Used to add something surprising or interesting to what you have just said:

Comparison

Conjunctions	Examples	Explanations
alike	My mother and I are alike in many ways. (Adjective) The twins were dressed alike. (Adverb) I learned a lot from teachers and students alike. (Adverb – in a similar way)	Adjective and Adverb
comparably	Comparably priced products/tickets	Adverb
comparatively	A comparatively small number of people Comparatively few books have been written on the subject. Crime on the island is comparatively rare.	Adverb
in comparison	In comparison to other recent video games, this one isn’t very exciting. He was a loud friendly man. In comparison, his brother was rather shy. By comparison with other European countries, car prices in the UK are very high.	Noun Phrase
in the same way	The drugs didn’t seem to affect Anna in the same way.	Noun Phrase
like	Don’t talk to me like you talk to a child. (Subordinating Conjunction) No one else can score goals like he can. (Subordinating Conjunction)	Subordinating Conjunction
relatively	The system is relatively easy to use. E-commerce is a relatively recent phenomenon.	Adverb
similarly	The cost of food and clothing has come down in recent years. Similarly, fuel prices have fallen quite considerably. The first letter she wrote me was less than a page long, and her second letter was similarly brief.	Adverb

Contrast

Conjunctions	Examples	Explanations
albeit	He accepted the job, albeit with hesitation. Chris went with her, albeit reluctantly. The evening was very pleasant, albeit a little quiet. He tried, albeit without success.	Subordinating ConjunctionNote that after albeit, you should use a phrase (noun phrase, adjective phrase, prepositional phrase, etc.) and not a complete sentence.
alternatively	You can relax on the beach, or alternatively try the bustling town center. We could go to the Indian restaurant, or alternatively, we could try that new Italian place.	Adverb
although	Although I can’t help admitting the man’s courage, I do not approve of his methods. You can copy down my answers, although I’m not sure they’re right. No, this is my responsibility, although I appreciate your offer.	Subordinating Conjunction
but	It’s an old car, but it’s very reliable. They rushed to the hospital, but they were too late. We’ve invited the boss, but she may decide not to come.	Coordinating Conjunction
contrariwise	American consumers prefer white eggs; contrariwise, British buyers like brown eggs.	Adverb which means conversely
conversely	In real life, nobody was all bad, nor, conversely, all good.	Adverb
despite	Despite all our efforts to save the school, the authorities decided to close it. She went to Spain despite the fact that her doctor had told her to rest.	Subordinating Conjunction
even though	Even though he left school at 16, he still managed to become prime minister.	Subordinating Conjunction
however	You can do it however you like. (in any way you like) If we win the match, we’ll be delighted, however it happens. This is a cheap and simple process. However, there are dangers. An extremely unpleasant disease that is, however, easy to treat	Conjunction
in contrast	The stock lost 60 cents a share, in contrast to last year, when it gained 21 cents. The spirited mood on Friday was in sharp contrast to the tense atmosphere last week.	Conjunction
in spite of	We went out in spite of the rain. Kelly loved her husband in spite of the fact that he drank too much. In spite of his injury, Ricardo will play in Saturday’s match.	Subordinating Conjunction
instead	Geoff didn’t study law. Instead, he decided to become an actor. You probably picked up my keys instead of yours. If Jo can’t attend the meeting, I could go instead.	Adverb
nevertheless	What you said was true. It was, nevertheless, a little unkind.	Adverb – FORMAL
nonetheless	The region was extremely beautiful. Nonetheless, Gerald could not imaging spending the rest of his life there. The paintings are complex, but have plenty of appeal nonetheless.	Adverb – FORMAL
notwithstanding	Notwithstanding differences, there are clear similarities in all of the world’s religions. Fame and fortune notwithstanding, Donna never forgot her hometown. Notwithstanding some members’ objections, I think we must go ahead with the plan.	Adverb, Preposition – FORMAL
on the contrary	It wasn’t a good thing. On the contrary, it was a huge mistake.	Adverb & Conjunction
on the other hand	I’d like to eat out, but on the other hand, I should be trying to save money.	Adverb & Conjunction
still	The hotel was terrible. Still, we were lucky with the weather. (in spite of what has just been said or done)	Adverb
then again	I like to travel but, then again, I’m very fond of my home.	Conjunction – used when you have had a new thought that is different or opposite to what you have just said
though	Though she is almost 40, she still plans to compete. Pascal went ahead with the experiment even though he knew it was dangerous. They are coming next week, though I don’t know which day. (but) We were at school together. I haven’t seen her for years though. (despite this)	Conjunction – Adverb
whereas	The old system was fairly complicated, whereas the new system is really very simple. Whereas the city spent over $1 billion on its museums and stadium, it failed to look after its schools.	Conjunction
while	They arrived while we were having dinner. (coincidence) He gets 50 thousand pounds a year, while I get a meager twenty! (contrast) Tom is very extrovert and confident, while Katy’s shy and quiet. (contrast)	Subordinating Conjunction
yet	Kelly was a convicted criminal, yet many people admired him. She does not speak our language and yet she seems to understand what we say.	Coordinating Conjunction

Deduction

Conjunctions	Examples	Explanations
above all	Max is hard-working, cheerful, and above all honest.	Conjunction – Adverb
accordingly	Some of the laws were contradictory. Accordingly, measures were taken to clarify them.	Adverb
as a consequence / in consequence	Animals have died as a consequence of coming into contact with this chemical. She was over the age limit and, in consequence, her application was rejected.	Conjunction
as a matter of fact	I knew him when we were in college. As a matter of fact, we were on the same course.	Adverb or Conjunction – Used when adding more details about what you have just said.
as a result	As a result of the pilots’ strike, all flights have had to be cancelled. Sarah wasn’t at school last week. As a result, she missed an important test.	Conjunction
as it is clear/evident/etc.	All of the students in this semester worked so hard. As it is clear/evident, all of them will pass the course.	Conjunction
beyond a doubt	The poor animal was so sick. The vet said that it will soon die beyond a doubt.	Adverb – Conjunction
briefly speaking	He is disorganized, inefficient, never there when you need him – briefly speaking, the man’s hopeless.	Conjunction
by far	They are by far the best students in the class.	By a great amount – Adverb
consequently	Most computer users have never received any formal keyboard training. Consequently, their keyboard skills are inefficient. The molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream and consequently affect the organs.	Conjunction
for that reason	I was robbed on the trip. For that reason, I had to change my mind and come back home.	Conjunction
hence	The cost of transport is a major expense for an industry. Hence, factory location is an important consideration. Her grandmother was Polish, hence her interest in Polish culture.	Adverb – FORMALHence means ‘therefore’.
in effect	I believe that human beings are, in effect, good.	Adverbbasically, essentially
in general	In general, men are taller than women.	Adverbgenerally, as a general rule, usually
in point of fact	We were assured that the prisoners were being well-treated, when, in point of fact, they were living in terrible conditions.	Adverbin reality, as a matter of fact
in short	He’s disorganized, inefficient, never there when you need him – in short, the man’s hopeless.	Adverbin brief, briefly, in a word
in so doing	Focus on informative content to learn English. In so doing, you will learn English to live better.	Conjunctionin this manner, by this means
in truth	In truth, we feared for her safety, although we didn’t let it be known.	FORMALUsed to show that something is true
on the whole	On the whole, I thought the film was pretty good.	used to say that something is generally truegenerally
overall	Overall, prices are still rising. (generally) What will it cost, overall? (altogether)	Adverbin general rather than in particular
so	I was feeling hungry. So, I made myself a sandwich.	Coordinating Conjunctiontherefore
that is	I’ll meet you in the city, that is, I will if the trains are running.	said when you want to give further details or be more exact about something
that is to say	Languages are taught by the direct method, that is to say, without using the student’s own native language.	said when you want to give further details or be more exact about something
that is why	Simon loves you – that’s why he wants to be with you.	Adverbthis is the reason for something
then	If you won’t tell him, then I will. Start off early, then you won’t have to rush.	Adverbused when saying what the result of a situation or action will be
therefore	Their car was bigger, and therefore, more comfortable. Progress so far has been very good. We are, therefore, confident that the work will be completed on time.	Adverbas a result of something that has just been mentioned
thus	Most of the evidence was destroyed in the fire. Thus it would be almost impossible to prove him guilty. They planned to reduce staff and thus to cut costs.	as a result of something that you have just mentioned
to be more accurate/exact/precise	Our machines are not advanced enough. To be more accurate, it is impossible to predict the weather with these machines.	Adverbaccurately, precisely
to put it in a nutshell	OK. That’s our proposal in a nutshell. Any questions? Well, to put it in a nutshell, we are lost.	Adverbusing as few words as possible

Examples

Conjunctions	Examples	Explanations
e.g.	Citrus fruits, e.g. oranges and grapefruit	Latin: exempli gratiaMeaning: for example

for example	Offices can easily become more environmentally-friendly by, for example, using recycled paper.	used when giving an example of the type of thing you mean
especially	I never liked long walks, especially in winter.	Adverbused to emphasize that something is more important or happens more with one particular thing than with others – particularly
explicitly	I told you quite explicitly to be home by midnight.	Adverb – clearly
for instance	In the electronics industry, for instance, 5000 jobs are being lost.	for example, e.g.
i.e.	The hotel is closed during low season, i.e. from October to March.	from Latin “id est” which means: that isused especially in writing before a piece of information that makes the meaning of something clearer or shows its true meaning
in particular	What in particular did you like about the last apartment that we saw?	especially, particularly
let’s say	Try and finish the work by, let’s say, Friday.	used to introduce a suggestion or possible example of something
like	Don’t talk to me like you talk to a child.	in the same way as
namely	Three students were mentioned, namely John, Sarah and Sylvia.	used when saying the names of the people or things you are referring to
particularly	We are particularly interested to hear from people who speak two or more European languages.	in particular, especially
specifically	I specifically asked you not to do that.	in a detailed or exact way, especially, particularly
such as	That sum of money is to cover costs such as travel and accommodation.	for example
to be (more) precise/exact/accurate	Our company is facing some problems, to be more precise, financial problems.	specifically, in particular

Sequence

Conjunctions	Examples	Explanations
afterward(s)	Charles arrived shortly afterwards. Afterwards, I was asked to write a book.	Adverb – after an event or time that has already been mentioned
finally	After several delays, we finally took off at six o’clock.	Adverb – eventually, after a long time
first	First of all, we’d better make sure we’ve got everything we need.	Adverb – before anything or anyone else
firstly	Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success.	Adverb – used to say that the fact or reason that you are going to mention is the first one and will be followed by others
next	Next, put it in the oven for 20 minutes.	Adverb – immediately afterwards
previously	Almost half the group had previously been heavy smokers.	Adverb – before now or before a particular time
second	Tea is the most popular drink, while coffee ranks / comes second.	Adverb – next after the first one
secondly	Firstly, they are not efficient, and secondly, they are expensive to make.	Adverb – used when you want to give a second point or fact or give a second reason for something
then	Mix the flour and butter, then add the eggs.	Adverb – used to say what happens next or what you do next

2 thoughts on “English Conjunctions”

Sasan
November 17, 2016 at 10:22 pm
Thank you so much for the beneficial points.
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- Dr. Hariri
  November 18, 2016 at 8:03 am
  You’re quite welcome. I’m glad you’ve found it useful.
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English Conjunctions