What Is a Conjunction? Types, Examples & How to Identify

You’ve been using conjunctions your whole life, even if you couldn’t name them. These small linking words — like and, but, and or — are the secret glue that holds sentences together. But understanding how they work can transform your writing and help you avoid common mistakes. This guide walks through what conjunctions are, the three main types, and how to spot them in any sentence.

Types of conjunctions: 3 (coordinating, subordinating, correlative) ·
Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): 7 ·
Common subordinating conjunctions: over 50 ·
Correlative conjunction pairs: 5

Six key facts about conjunctions, one pattern: they all serve as connectors, but the type of connection determines the grammar.

What is a conjunction?

Definition from grammarians

A conjunction is a word that links words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, according to the Cambridge Dictionary (British English grammar reference). The Merriam-Webster dictionary (authoritative US English reference) defines it as a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words. Linguists classify conjunctions as a closed class of words — new ones are rarely added to the language (Wikipedia (community-reviewed grammar resource)).

Function in sentences

Conjunctions give sentences structure by showing relationships between ideas. The British Council (educational language authority) explains that conjunctions can provide additional information, alternatives, reasons, results, or unexpected information. For example, “and” adds information, “but” shows contrast, and “because” gives a reason. Without conjunctions, sentences would be choppy and disconnected.

The implication: mastering conjunctions directly improves sentence variety and reader engagement.

What are the types of conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect items of equal grammatical rank — two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses. Merriam-Webster (authoritative US English dictionary) lists the seven coordinating conjunctions, remembered by the mnemonic FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. EnglishClub (ESL learning resource) notes that coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses they join.

Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a subordinate (dependent) clause and link it to a main clause. EnglishClub (ESL learning resource) gives examples such as because, if, when, although, and while and adds that subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the subordinate clause. There are approximately 50 common subordinating conjunctions in English (Grammar Monster (grammar teaching site)).

Correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to link alternatives or equal elements. Grammarly (writing assistant platform) identifies five primary pairs: both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, and whether…or and notes that some grammar references treat correlative conjunctions as a subtype of coordination rather than a separate class.

The pattern: balancing all three types yields the most natural sentence complexity.

How do you identify a conjunction?

Look for joining words

The easiest way to identify a conjunction is to look for a word whose job is to join other words or groups of words. Scribbr (academic writing resource) describes conjunctions as “words used to connect words, phrases, and clauses.” Start by scanning for common linking words like and, but, or, because, if, when.

Check if it connects equal or unequal elements

Once you suspect a word is a conjunction, check what it connects. If it joins two independent clauses or two equal items, it’s likely a coordinating conjunction. EnglishClub (ESL learning resource) distinguishes: coordinating conjunctions join equal parts, while subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to a main clause. If the word appears in a pair (like either…or), it’s correlative.

Use context clues

The meaning of the sentence often reveals the conjunction’s role. The IDP IELTS (test preparation organization) notes that conjunctions can express contrast, comparison, or cause-and-effect relationships. For example, “but” signals a shift, while “so” indicates a result. If removing the word breaks the sentence’s logical flow, it’s probably a conjunction.

The consequence: a systematic approach to identification prevents common misuse.

What is a conjunction example?

Examples of coordinating conjunctions

• “I like tea and coffee.” (Cambridge Dictionary (British English grammar reference))
• “She is smart but lazy.”
• “We can go now or wait for the next bus.”

Examples of subordinating conjunctions

• “She stayed home because it was raining.” (EnglishClub (ESL learning resource))
• “He left after the movie ended.”
• “Although it was late, they continued working.”

Examples of correlative conjunctions

• “Both the teacher and the student agreed.” (Grammarly (writing assistant platform))
• “Either you come with us, or you stay home.”
• “Neither the manager nor the staff knew about the change.”

Sentence examples

The British Council (educational language authority) provides practical examples: “I went to bed because I was tired” (reason), “I can meet you at 6 or we can meet at 7″ (alternative), “She is kind so everyone likes her” (result). These show how conjunctions shape meaning beyond simple joining.

How to explain conjunctions to a child?

Use simple definitions

Tell children that conjunctions are “joining words” or “glue words” that stick parts of a sentence together. BBC Bitesize (educational resource from the BBC) uses the analogy of building blocks: conjunctions are the mortar that holds the blocks together. Start with the most common ones: and, but, or, so, because.

Fun examples and activities

Practice with familiar sentences: “I want a cookie and a glass of milk.” “I can play outside but it’s raining.” English Grammar Revolution (grammar teaching site) suggests a game: give a child two simple sentences like “The dog barked” and “The cat ran away” and ask them to join them with and or because. This builds intuitive understanding.

Common conjunctions kids should know

The British Council (educational language authority) recommends focusing on six conjunctions for beginners: and, or, but, so, because, although. These cover addition, choice, contrast, result, reason, and concession. Once a child masters these, you can introduce if, when, while for more complex sentences.

The consequence: children learn to combine ideas naturally without needing terminology.

What’s clear and what’s still debated

The pattern: grammarians agree on the core classification but differ on boundaries and counts.

“A conjunction is a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words.”

— Merriam-Webster (authoritative US English dictionary)

“Conjunctions are the glue that connects words, phrases, and clauses — without them, sentences would be disjointed.”

— BBC Bitesize (educational resource from the BBC)

“Coordinating conjunctions connect equal parts; subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to a main clause.”

— EnglishClub (ESL learning resource)

“Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to link alternatives or equal elements — both…and, either…or, neither…nor.”

— Grammarly (writing assistant platform)

For anyone learning English — whether a student, a non-native speaker, or a writer polishing their craft — the takeaway is straightforward: conjunctions are not optional fluff. They are the structural backbone of clear, varied sentences. The better you understand them, the more control you have over your writing’s rhythm, clarity, and nuance. For the classroom teacher, the choice is clear: teach conjunctions through real examples, not just definitions, and watch your students’ sentences come alive.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: these FAQs cover the most common points of confusion about conjunctions.

Related reading

• Greater Than or Equal To (≥): Meaning, Examples & Typing
• Quid Pro Quo Meaning: Literal Translation, Legal Use, Examples

Explore more grammar and usage guides to strengthen your writing.