An Overview on Conjunction: What It Is and How to Use It

A conjunction is one of the most commonly used parts of speech in the English language. It is a word that connects two clauses, and it can be used to create different types of sentences. In this article, we will discuss what conjunction is, and we will give you some examples of how to use it in your writing. We will also talk about the different types of conjunction that are available to you. So, let’s get started!

What Are Conjunctions? 

Conjunction, as previously stated, is a phrase that joins different clauses or sentences. In other words, it serves as a connecting word. Conjunctions are classified into three types:

– Subordinating Conjunctions

– Coordinating Conjunctions

– Correlative Conjunctions

We will talk more about each one of these later on. For now, let’s just focus on the definition of conjunction.

A conjunction can be used to create different types of sentences, such as simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences.

Let’s look at an example to better understand this.

Example:

I am going to the store.

This is a simple sentence. Now, let’s add conjunction and create a compound sentence.

I am going to the store and I am going to buy some bread.

As you can see, the conjunction ‘and’ has joined the two clauses together to create a compound sentence.

Now, let’s look at how we can use a conjunction to create a complex sentence.

Example:

I am going to the store because I need to buy some bread.

In this example, the conjunction ‘because’ has joined the two clauses together and created a complex sentence.

Now that we know what conjunction is and what it does, let’s take a look at the different types of conjunctions that are available to us.

Types of Conjunctions 

As we mentioned before, there are three main types of conjunctions: subordinating conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each one of these.

Coordinating Conjunctions 

A term that connects two separate clauses is called coordinating conjunction. The most commonly used coordinating conjunctions are ‘and,’ ‘for,’ ‘yet,’ ‘but,’ ‘or,’ ‘nor,’ and ‘so.’

Example:

I am going to the store and I am going to buy some bread.

In this example, the coordinating conjunction ‘and’ has joined the two independent clauses together.

Subordinating Conjunctions 

A word that joins a subordinate clause to an independent clause is called subordinating conjunction. The most prevalent subordinating conjunctions are ‘after,’ ‘before,’ ‘if,’ ‘once,’ ‘since,’ ‘although,’ ‘as,’ ‘because,’ ‘than,’ ‘that,’ ‘though,’ ‘until,’ and ‘when.’

Example:

I am going to the store because I need to buy some bread.

In this example, the subordinating conjunction ‘because’ has joined the dependent clause ‘I need to buy some bread’ to the independent clause ‘I am going to the store’.

Correlative Conjunctions 

A word that is used to connect two words, phrases or clauses is correlative conjunction. The most common correlative conjunctions are ‘both…and’, ‘either…or, ‘neither…nor’ and ‘not only…but also.

Example:

I am going to the store because I need to buy both bread and milk.

In this example, the correlative conjunction ‘both…and’ has joined the two items ‘bread and milk’ together.

Now that you know the different types of conjunctions, let’s take a look at how to use them in your writing.

How to Use Conjunctions 

When you are using conjunctions, it is important to remember that they must be used correctly for your sentences to make sense. For example, you wouldn’t want to use subordinating conjunction in a sentence where it doesn’t make sense.

Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. Therefore, if you use subordinating conjunction without an independent clause, your sentence will not make sense.

Conclusion

Conjunction, as previously stated, is a phrase that joins different clauses or sentences. In other words, it serves as a connecting word. Conjunctions are classified into three types:

– Subordinating Conjunctions (because, since, as)

– Coordinating Conjunctions  (and, but, or)

– Correlative Conjunctions (either…or, neither…nor)

The main purpose of conjunctions is to connect two ideas and make the meaning clear. Coordinate conjunctions join two independent clauses together; subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause, and correlative conjunctions join two equal parts.