conjunctions for an essay

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Grammar: Conjunctions

Basics of conjunctions.

Conjunctions are parts of speech that connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. There are three kinds of conjunctions: coordinating, paired, and subordinating.

For more information about conjunctions, also see these webpages:

• Compound Sentences ,
• Varying Sentence Structure , and
• Comma Basics .

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words or phrases that serve the same grammatical purpose in a sentence. There are seven main coordinating conjunctions in English, which form the acronym FANBOYS:

F: for : The teachers were frustrated, for the school had cut funding for all enrichment programs.* A: and : In this course, I will write a literature review, a case study, and a final paper.** N: nor : The students did not complete their homework, nor did they pass the test. B: but : The study is several years old but still valuable to this study. O: or : At the end of the class, the students can choose to write an essay or take a test. Y: yet : The patient complained of chronic pain, yet she refused treatment. S: so : I have only been a nurse for one year, so I have little experience with paper charting.

* "For" is rarely used as a conjunction in modern English. ** When the conjunctions "and" and "or" connect three or more words or phrases, use a serial comma to separate items in the series.

Transitional words such as "however" and "therefore" can also function as conjunctions:

• The authors agreed on the prevalence of the problem; however , they disagreed on the problem’s cause.
• Several employees complained about the new policies, and therefore , the manager held an all-staff meeting to address their concerns.

Paired Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions consist of two words or phrases that help make a point or establish alternatives. Although paired conjunctions can be helpful in structuring a sentence, they can also make sentences wordier than necessary, so use these conjunctions sparingly.

• The project will require significant investments of both time and money.
• Note: When two subjects are connected by "both…and," use a plural verb (such as "are" or "were").
• Students who did not complete the assignment received not only a poor grade but also a warning from the teacher.
• Not only did the student include full sentences from the source without using quotation marks, but he also failed to properly cite paraphrased material.
• Either the students were unprepared or the assessment was poorly written.
• Participants in the survey could either choose from a list of possible answers or write in their own responses.
• Students who did not complete the project received neither praise nor rewards.
• The staff neither followed the new policy nor asked for clarification.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join a subordinate clause to a main clause and establishes a relationship between the two. There are many subordinating clauses, but here are some of the most common:

• as much as/as soon as/as long as
• in order to/in order that
• when/whenever
• where/wherever

There are two ways to structure a sentence using a subordinating conjunction:

• The teacher administered the test after giving instructions.
• The author must avoid bias if she wants to maintain a scholarly tone.
• I will turn in this assignment at midnight whether or not I complete it.
• After giving instructions, the teacher administered the test.
• If she wants to maintain a scholarly tone, the author must avoid bias.
• Whether or not I complete this assignment, I will turn it in at midnight.

"That" as a Conjunction for Noun Clauses

"That" has a few different functions in English. This can lead to confusion because some instances of "that" are more optional than others in academic writing.

One important use of "that" is for embedding (inserting) a certain type of  dependent clause called a noun clause into an  independent clause . Frequently, such "that" clauses serve as the direct object of a reporting verb (such as found, reported, posited, argued, claimed, maintained, and hypothesized) to introduce a paraphrase, summary, or quotation.

Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green, underline = verb; blue, italics = object

For example,

• Smith (2015) = subject
• reported = verb
• that more research was necessary = dependent clause, direct object of the verb "reported"
• The authors = subject
• hypothesized = verb
• that there would be significant results = dependent clause, direct object of the verb "hypothesized"
• Jones (2014) = subject
• asserted = verb
• t hat confidentiality was maintained throughout the study = dependent clause, direct object of the verb "asserted"
• Answer: that more research was necessary
• Answer: that there would be significant results
• Answer: that confidentiality was maintained throughout the study

In formal written English, for clarity, most academic writers choose to keep "that " when it introduces a noun clause (Caplan, 2012). Leaving out "that" can cause the reader to misread (at first anyway) the subject of the dependent clause as being the object of the reporting verb (Jamieson, 2012).

• For example, if readers see the sentence, " Smith (2015) reported more research was necessary (without 'that')," they may understand “more research” as the thing Smith reported and then have to backtrack and reread upon seeing “was necessary.”
• Any structure that leads to misinterpretation, even temporarily, can be an unwanted distraction from the writer’s message.
• In spoken English, however, "that" may be dropped in such sentences. (Intonation patterns—rising and falling pitch—give the listener clues that may not be present in writing.)

Caplan, N. (2012). Grammar choices for graduate and professional writers . University of Michigan Press.

Conjunctions Video Playlist

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

• Structuring Sentences: Compound Sentences (video transcript)
• Structuring Sentences: Complex Sentences (video transcript)
• Structuring Sentences: Combining Sentences (video transcript)

Related Resource

Knowledge Check: Conjunctions

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Use of Conjunctions in Academic Writing

Published by Alvin Nicolas at August 17th, 2021 , Revised On August 24, 2023

Conjunctions are the glue that holds different parts of the sentence together, including clauses, words, and phrases. There are hundreds of conjunctions in English, including but not limited to  since, for, if, because, for, but, on the contrary, gradually, hence, in fact, another, at last, as soon as, finally, equally, whatever, whoever, however, when, if,  and  in addition.

With conjunctions, you don’t need to write short and choppy sentences. Using simple words like “but”, “however”, or “and”, we can extend our sentences.

The three types of conjunctions are listed below. Each type service its unique purpose, but all help to put together a meaningful  sentence .

• Coordinating
• Correlative
• Subordinating

The following paragraph uses all three types of conjunctions:

Because the student procrastinated for too long, she failed her  essay  and  dissertation  assignments. The tutor provided neither a resit chance  nor any feedback.

How to Use Coordinating Conjunctions in Academic Writing

Coordinating conjunctions are the most common type of conjunctions, and most people are familiar with them.

We use coordinating conjunctions to connect independent clauses,  phrases  and words. With the help of coordinating conjunctions, we can transform short and choppy sentences into longer yet meaningful sentences.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English, including  for, and, nor, but, or, yet,  and  so.  You can easily remember them by memorizing the acronym “FANBOYS”.

So what does each of the coordinating conjunctions used for?

For – Explains purpose or reason (does the same job as “because”)

And – Brings two things together.

Nor – Expresses another negative idea concerning an already stated negative idea.

But – Presents contrast.

Or – Shows a choice or a substitute.

Yet – Use to put forward a contrasting idea the flows logically from the preceding idea.

So – Indicates consequence, result, outcome or effect

Coordinating Conjunctions Used in Sentences – Examples

Here are seven sentences using the coordinating conjunctions:

• I love to buy things for my home.?
• I love watching a movie and eating popcorns.
• I am neither happy nor sad.
• I like to get up early in the morning, but it’s painful to wake to the sound of an alarm.
• People often wonder whether they should put a comma before or in a sentence.
• It was early, yet we were all ready for bed after our long hike.
• He could not work from his office, so he worked from home.

Use of Coordinating Conjunctions to Join Words

Coordinating conjunctions can connect two verbs,  adjectives , nouns or other types of word.

• The participants of the research included project managers and site engineers.
• I don’t like to eat crabs orlobsters.
• He was intelligent but careless.

Use of Coordinating Conjunctions to Join Phrases

You can use coordinating conjunctions to join phrases. Following sentences use coordinating conjunctions to join phrases.

• I worked out in the gym and devoured a big meal.
• The results of the study are unquestionably interesting yet eventually unconvincing.
• I love to study at home and eat at a restaurant.

Use of Coordinating Conjunctions to Join Independent Clauses

A clause is a group of words and clauses that can stand on its own as a complete sentence. It includes a verb and a subject.

The researcher contacted several project managers for their research study, but only a handful of them ultimately participated in it.

As evident in the above sentence, the coordinating conjunction “but” demonstrates a relationship between two independent clauses that can stand on their own (expressing a complete thought).

The researcher contacted several project managers for their research study. A handful of them ultimately participated in it.

Use of Punctuation with Coordinating Conjunctions

Never use a comma when connecting two  words  or phrases.

• The data was collected through questionnaire, and interviews.
• I don’t like to eat crabs, or lobsters.
• The data was collected through questionnaire and interviews.
• I don’t like to eat crabs or lobsters.

You should not use the  comma punctuation  with the coordinating conjunctions in the above sentences before the two words or phrases are connected to a single verb (collected and eat).

On the other hand, you will need to use a comma when connecting two independent clauses.

• The data was collected through a questionnaire, and selected respondents also participated in interviews.
• I don’t like to eat crabs, but I do eat lobsters.

The clauses in the above two sentences could stand on their own as completed sentences, and therefore we joined them using comma punctuation.

How to Use Correlative Conjunctions in Academic Writing?

Correlative conjunctions join two equal parts of a single sentence. They are expressed in pairs. You must use both of them at the correct places to make one complete logical and grammatically correct sentence.

Some of the most commonly used correlative conjunctions are as follows:

• Not only/but also
• Neither/nor

In most cases, you should not use comma punctuation with correlative conjunctions. Here are some example sentences using correlative conjunctions.

• Both of them are both emotional and rational.
• Neither Mike nor John knows that I am an FBI agent.
• Not only Amanda but also Neil will miss me.
• I treated them with both love and affection.

How to Use Subordinating Conjunctions in Academic Writing?

The subordinating conjunctions create a relationship between independent and dependent clauses. Essentially, these conjunctions are used to introduce a dependent clause with reference to an independent clause.

Unlike the independent clause, a dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand on its own as a whole sentence. A dependent clause cannot express a complete and independent thought, so it should always be attached to an independent clause.

• Because I didn’t pay attention to the details. I wasn’t able to achieve the desired grade in the exam.
• Because I didn’t pay attention to the details, I wasn’t able to achieve the desired grade in the exam.
• I wasn’t able to achieve the desired grade in the exam because I didn’t pay attention to the details.

You can notice in the above examples that the clause “I didn’t pay attention to the details” is an independent clause but the subordinating conjunction “because” turned it into a dependent clause. Now the clause “because I didn’t pay attention to the detail” is an incomplete sentence on its own. It should be connected with an independent clause to make a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence.

The following table shows the most commonly used subordinating conjunctions for joining independent and dependent clauses. Please note that this is not the complete list of subordinating conjunctions.

In most cases, comma punctuation is not required with a subordinating conjunction. Don’t use a comma when there is a clear link between the dependent and the independent clause, and the dependent clause encloses the necessary information about the independent clause.

• She will achieve the highest academic grade in her dissertation project, if she follows the guidelines provided by her university.
• Mike panics, whenever he takes an exam.
• She will achieve the highest academic grade in her dissertation project if she follows the guidelines provided by her university.
• Mike panics whenever he takes an exam.

In contrast, you will need to use a comma at the beginning of the independent clause when the subordinating conjunction appears at the start of the sentence.

• If she follows the guidelines provided by her university she will achieve the highest academic grade in her dissertation project..
• Whenever Mike takes an exam he panics.
• If she follows the guidelines provided by her university, she will achieve the highest academic grade in her dissertation project.
• Whenever Mike takes an exam, he panics.?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are conjunctions important in academic writing.

Conjunctions are vital in academic writing because they connect ideas, improve flow, and establish relationships between concepts. They enhance coherence, enabling a clearer, more organized presentation of arguments and helping readers follow the logical progression of your ideas.

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Understanding Conjunctions (List, Examples, Rules, and More)

Conjunctions are an essential part of speech that helps us to join words and phrases together to create complete sentences. Without conjunctions, our thoughts and ideas would sound incomplete. And would make basic communication difficult to comprehend in the English language.

What are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are a part of speech that join words, phrases, and clauses to help create better sentences.

They are an important part of the English language and give a better structure to sentence construction. Without them, you will only be able to construct very simple sentences.

Some common examples include ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘for’, ‘although’, ‘because’, and ‘but’.

The most well-known nursery rhyme taught to students has some good examples of the conjunction ‘and’.

Jack and Jill went up the hill

To fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

Without conjunctions, the rhyme would be tedious and not lyrical.

Let us look at how conjunctions turn three simple sentences into one much more refined sentence.

• Simple Sentence 1: Malt likes jogging.
• Simple Sentence 2: Seth loves running.
• Simple Sentence 3: Malt and Seth love swimming.

Complex Sentence using Conjunctions:

Malt likes jogging while Seth loves running, but they both love swimming.

Conjunctions are one of the nine parts of speech . The others are Nouns , Pronouns, Verbs , Adjectives, Adverbs , Prepositions , interjections , and Determiners or Articles.

The earliest known use of conjunctions was in the 15 th century as an adjective and in the 17 th century as a noun. Conjunctions were called Connectives until the beginning of the 20 th century.

What Do Conjunctions Do?

Conjunctions help join words, phrases, and clauses to create complex sentences. The words, phrases, and clauses that conjunctions join are called conjuncts.

These conjuncts may be of equal importance and be able to stand on their own as separate sentences. Or they may be of unequal importance, with a dependent clause establishing a relationship with an independent part through the conjunction.

To understand what conjunctions do, it is important to understand the different types of this class of words.

Conjunctions come three forms:

Coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions.

• Correlative Conjunctions

In addition, it is important to know of a type of adverb called Conjunctive Adverbs that act as conjunctions.

We briefly look at each of these four in this section and explore the first three in more depth in the later sections below.

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, clauses, and sentences that are grammatically similar. They are also called Coordinators as they coordinate between two or more words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of similar nature.

• Andy would like to have Italian or Chinese.
• Sam was on leave yesterday for he was unwell.
• It was raining and people were out with their umbrellas.

Subordinating Conjunctions join a dependent clause with an independent one. The dependent clause cannot stand on its own, but it lends an additional value to the independent clause . An important sub-type of subordinating conjunctions is Conjunctions of Time.

• Think a bit unless you have already made your decision.
• Let me know when you are done repairing the jet engine.
• Sam will take part because Karen is taking part in the play.

Correlative conjunctions join words, phrases, clauses, and sentences of equal importance. They usually work in pairs such as ‘both/and’, ‘either/or’, ‘neither/nor’ and ‘not only/but also’.

• We will either start early morning or after 11 am.
• Neither does he look like Danish nor any other person I know.
• It was not only windy but also raining at the hilltop.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive Adverbs work as conjunctions and join two independent clauses just like coordinating conjunctions. They show a relationship such as cause and effect , contrast or sequence in a sentence.

• Betty is busy with her exam preparation. Consequently , she will not participate in the festival.
• Ron is a good manager; moreover , he excels at project management .
• You should start exercising. Also , go to a dietitian and plan your meals.

The Three Rules of Using Conjunctions

There are three important rules to remember while using conjunctions:

Rule 1: Connect

Conjunctions connect thoughts, actions and ideas as well as nouns, clauses and other parts of speech. This is the most important use of this part of speech.

• Jack and Jill
• Betty went to the gym and pumped weights.
• Seth likes mangoes but not oranges

Rule 2: Lists

Conjunctions help in creating a structure for making lists within a sentence.

• Marjorie bought flour, eggs and sugar to bake a cake.
• Instead of sugar, you may use honey, Jaggery powder, maple syrup or dates . But not artificial sweeteners.
• The four principles enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution are Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Rule 3: Agreement

All the conjuncts should agree in terms of sentence construction. Do not use a conjunction to join phrases, clauses, or sentences that are constructed in different ways. Change the structure and style as needed to solve this problem.

Incorrect: Harper has an eye for detail and she is speedy.

Correct: Harper has an eye for detail and she is fast.

Incorrect: Milo work hastily yet is careful.

Correct: Milo work hastily yet carefully.

Understanding Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words phrases, clauses, and sentences that have similar grammatical syntax or structure, and are of equal importance to the more significant sentence.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English language – ‘For’, ‘And’, ‘Nor’, ‘But’, ‘Or’, ‘Yet’ and ‘So’ and they can be remembered with the mnemonic FANBOYS.

Types of Coordinating Conjunctions

English grammar sub-classifies coordinating conjunctions into four types based on their role in the sentence. Let us look at them and try to understand the differences with similar examples.

Cumulative Coordinating Conjunction: As the word cumulative suggests here, the coordinating conjunction is used to add a phrase, clause, or sentence to another.

• Mads went to the doctor and then to her office.
• The outfield was wet and the match was canceled.
• You can study and then watch YouTube.

Alternative Coordinating Conjunction: Here the conjunction is used to offer a single or multiple alternative options.

• Mads realized she could go to the doctor or to office but not both.
• Sandy or Ran can play as the 12 th man.
• You can finish your homework or watch YouTube.

A-d-v-e-r-s-a-t-i-v-e Coordinating Conjunction: This type of conjunction presents opposing ideas and add an element of decision in the sentence.

• Mads went to the doctor but had recovered from her headache by the time she reached.
• Sandy was not well, yet he went to play the match.
• I finished my homework and decided to watch YouTube, but did not feel like it.

I-l-l-a-t-i-v-e Coordinating Conjunction: This conjunction is used to show an inference. Here a fact present in one phrase or clause flows from the other.

• Mads was given medications for she had gone to see a doctor.
• Sandy was rested for the match for he was unwell.
• I finished my homework, so I could watch YouTube.

Some More Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions

• The temperature was lower than yesterday for it had rained heavily last night.
• I spend both Saturday and Sunday sleeping.
• San would like to learn neither Chess nor Go.
• Autumn wanted the laptop but it was beyond her budget.
• Tom wanted either Huck or Becky to go fishing with him.
• John finished his dinner yet he was still hungry.
• Earl wanted to improve his test scores, so he studied an hour extra before bed. 

Understanding Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions join dependent and independent clauses to make a complex sentence . As the name suggests, the dependent clause depends on the independent clause and includes some additional information in the larger sentence. These parts of speech may also be used to introduce adverb clauses.

The conjunction works in two ways within a sentence. Firstly, it highlights the value of the independent clause, and secondly, it provides a platform for the merging of two ideas. This merger establishes a cause-and-effect relationship or a time-based relationship.

The time-based subordinating conjunctions are Conjunctions of Time and establish a connection between the clauses that are centered around timelines.

Examples of Conjunctions of Time

• I left before he arrived.
• The second train arrived after the first one cleared the platform.
• Nancy decided to check the gift shop while John was finishing lunch.

Like the FANBOYS mnemonic used for coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions can be remembered using the mnemonic: ON A WHITE BUS .

O – Once, Only if

N – Now that

A – As, Although, After

W+H – While, When, Whereas, Whenever, Wherever, Whether

I – If, In case, In order to, In the event that

E – Even if, Even though

B – Because, Before

U – Unless, Until

S – So, So that, Since, Supposing

In addition, beginners can use a smaller acronym called SWABI. It is similar to the FANBOYS acronym in the sense that each of the letters in SWABI stand for one subordinating conjunction .

B – Because

Three Key Points for Subordinating Conjunctions

Remember three key points for subordinating conjunctions:

Point #1: Their position is influenced by the dependent clause. They may be at the beginning or middle of a sentence depending on whether the dependent clause was placed before the independent clause or after.

• She cannot leave office until she mails the client.
• Until she mails the client, she cannot leave office.

Point #2: When using a subordinate clause at the beginning, it is important to use a comma right after the dependent clause.

• Until she mails the client, she cannot leave the office.
• Though it was late, we decided to close the project before we left for the day.
• Even though the bell sounded, the students took a while to come out of their classrooms.

Point #3: When using a subordinate clause in the middle, do not use a comma after the word.

• She cannot leave the office until she mails the client.
• We decided to close the project before we left for the day, even though it was late.
• The students took a while to come out of their classrooms after the bell had sounded.

Some More Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions:

• Once he had the coat, he decided he would go to the prom.
• Now that the storm was past , regular activity resumed in the market.
• Although it did not strike anyone at that time, the merger of the two companies made them the top choice for every award in their industry.
• I was up cleaning the house while you were sleeping.
• Holly decided to pack a pair of sweaters in the event that it got cold up there.
• Though the window was open, we did not hear the taxi honk.
• Even though it was great, it took a while to get used to the book.
• Preston cooked because his parents were away at work, and his sister never cooked.
• Unless it rains, the school will be open tomorrow.
• Keep the book since you find it interesting.

Coordinating conjunctions are the third type of conjunctions and help join words, phrases, clauses, and sentences that are of equal importance in the sentence. They are usually found in pairs and work together to bind two parts of the sentence that may portray relatable ideas.

They usually work in pairs such as ‘both/and’, ‘either/or’, ‘neither/nor’ and ‘not only/but also’ with the two words not placed alongside each other.

• Either you or Andy should attend the meeting.
• Despite the traffic, neither did the cab arrive late nor did the driver charge extra.
• Both the dogs and the cats loved listening to music.

Examples of Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions examples:.

• Jag won the race for he had prepared well.
• The weather was warmer for summer was near.
• This college is very good and the faculty is excellent
• Sutton realized Sony a nd Clark were very intelligent.
• I want neither ice cream nor fruit juice.
• Neither the deck nor the cabins were very clean.
• The road was good but the traffic was bad .
• The housing society was well located but it did not have proper access roads.
• Bertha would like to see a movie or a play.
• You can either appear for the army or pursue civil service.
• The movie was good yet it felt incomplete.
• It was a good day for a walk yet most people were indoors.
• Ash wanted to reach office before her team, so she left half an hour earlier than usual.
• It was an interesting concept, so they decided to try it out at home.

Subordinating Conjunctions Examples:

• Once she was settled in, she decided to order her dinner.
• We will able to go to the hill station only if the roadblock is lifted.
• Now that the sanctions were lifted, regular trade could resume.
• As it was late, I decided to go to sleep.
• The painting was an excellent work of art although the price was steep.
• The caterers left after everybody had eaten.
• While Sonia learnt art, John thought he would brush up his guitar skills.
• It was ready when they arrived to pick it up.
• Whereas everyone plans, few start and fewer continue to exercise.
• I will go wherever life takes me.
• Laila thought it made sense to reach late in order to avoid the speeches.
• If you can imagine it, you can do it.
• Though the journey was short, the view made it an experience of a lifetime.
• Even if Dean likes it, he is unlikely to wear the shirt after a few days.
• Even though I checked, I was unable to find the fork anywhere in the kitchen.
• Bryan thought he was right because he followed the instructions in the book exactly.
• Unless we start now, we will be late.
• Improve your handwriting so you get the higher marks you deserve.
• It is good to have a balanced diet so that you remain healthy.
• Supposing we finish the test early, we can use the extra time to practice for the match.
• Since all of you have studied well, you will not have to worry about passing the test.

Correlative Conjunctions Examples:

• Golf isn’t as fun as football.
• There were as many people as possible inside the hall.
• We will take both the selected items and the ones on sale. 
• I want either the chocolate ice cream or the sundae.
• Just as children love the sun in winter, so do adults who love to be outside enjoying the sunshine.
• Neither the dog nor the cat liked to take a bath.
• No sooner had the postman gone than I realized I forgot to ask him the address of the post office.
• I will eat not only the chocolate cake but also the lemon tart.
• Hazel thought she would rather eat boiled vegetables than dance on stage.
• I had scarcely entered the house when I remembered the things I had forgotten to buy and had to run right back out again.
• Such was the din that no one could sleep until the police stopped the music.
• Whether you prefer the long but easy road or the shorter, but harder path will determine your attitude toward most things in life.

Where do Conjunctions Go?

Conjunctions are usually placed at the beginning or the middle of a sentence but never at the end.

For instance, coordinating conjunctions are placed between the words, phrases, or clauses that they join, while subordinating conjunctions are placed at the beginning of the subordinate clause. Subordinate conjunctions may appear at the beginning of a sentence if the dependent clause is placed before the independent clause.

• Jack and Jill went up the hill. ( Coordinating conjunction )
• Even if it were true, gossiping is never the right thing to do. (Subordinating conjunctions with the subordinate clause at the start of a sentence)
• Most people go about their regular work without thinking unless something unexpected happens. (Subordinating conjunctions with subordinate clause after independent clause)

Understanding Conjunctions and Commas

Commas are sometimes necessary while using conjunctions. There are different rules based on the type of conjunction.

Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions

Commas should be placed before the coordinating conjunction when the word is joining two independent clauses. However, it is advisable to avoid the comma if the independent clauses are short and balanced.

In case the sentence contains a list, then commas should be used when the conjunction precedes the last item in a list of three or more items.

It is advisable to keep in mind that this point is a bone of contention for most experts, with some saying it should be used while others advising against it. The rule of thumb is to place a comma before the conjunction. Especially when the list is made of phrases, compound words , or single and compound words. The comma in such lists is called the Oxford Comma .

• Susan threw the ball and her dog ran after it. (No comma needed)
• Susan threw the ball as far as possible over the hedge, and her dog raced after it. (Comma makes the structure better)
• The shopping list included groceries, fruits and vegetables. (Small list and no comma needed)
• The shopping list included paintbrushes, overcoats, cover sheets, sandpaper, and a pair of tongs. (Eclectic list and an Oxford comma make sense)

Commas and Subordinating Conjunctions

A comma should come after the subordinate clause when the subordinating conjunction is placed at the beginning of the sentence. However, it should not be used for the subordinating conjunction when it is placed in the middle of the sentence.

• Before Red arrived, Sam left. (Comma needed as subordinating conjunction is at the start of the sentence)
• Sam left before Red arrived. (No comma is needed as subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence)
• Once I take out the trash, I will go take a bath.
• I will go take a bath once I take out the trash.
• Even if it were true, it will not help us in the long term.
• It will not help us in the long term even if it were true.

Commas and Correlative Conjunctions

Though they look the most complex, the use of commas in correlative conjunctions is simple. Use a comma when the two clauses look like independent clauses, and do not use it in other circumstances.

• The more Kate checked the financials, the more irregularities popped up. (Comma needed)
• Neither did Riley eat breakfast, nor was he able to make it for lunch on time. (Comma needed)
• Jackie had scarcely left school when she was called back for a staff meeting. (Comma not needed)

Conjunctions List

Conjunctions are usually of three types in terms of structure:

• Single words: Comprise of one word
• Compound words: Consist of two or more words
• Correlative words: They are used as Correlative Conjunctions and exist in pairs. They are placed at different parts of a sentence to join equal phrases or clauses together to make a coherent whole. They are not placed alongside each other in the sentence. 

Here are some examples of these different types of conjunctions.

Examples of Single-Word Conjunctions

Examples of compound word conjunctions.

• By the time
• Even though
• In addition to
• In order that
• In the event that
• Provided that
• Rather than
• Whether or not

Examples of Correlative Word Conjunctions

• Neither/Nor
• No sooner/Than
• Not only/But also
• Rather/Than
• Scarcely/When
• Sooner/Then

FANBOYS Method to Understand Conjunctions

It is easy to remember coordinating conjunctions using the mnemonic: FANBOYS

Each of the letters represent one of the seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language.

S-W-A-B-I Method to Understand Conjunctions

In addition to the ON A WHITE BUS mnemonic, S-W-A-B-I is another acronym to remember subordinating conjunctions.

Like FANBOYS, each of the letters in S-W-A-B-I stand for one subordinating conjunction.

• Parts of speech

More parts of speech:

• Conjunctions
• Prepositions
• Possessive nouns
• Irregular plural nouns
• Proper nouns
• Concrete nouns
• Collective nouns
• Possessive and plural nouns

More on conjunctions

• Coordinate conjunction
• Compound sentence
• Complex sentence
• Independent clause
• Subordinate conjunction
• Conjunctive adverb
• Correlative conjunction
• Adverb clause

Subordinating conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses.

Subordinate clauses are also referred to as a dependent clause and follow the same grammar functions.

Because, since, as, although, though, while, and whereas.

• A conjunction is a word like AND, BUT, ALTHOUGH, BECAUSE. The 2 main types of conjunctions are: 1) coordinating conjunctions 2) subordinating conjunctions. Without conjunctions, we could only make very simple sentences…
• Definition of conjunction noun in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
• Conjunct Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
• Conjunction (grammar) – Wikipedia
• Parts of speech – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• The 9 Parts of Speech: Definitions and Examples
• Coordinating Conjunctions Definition – Grammar Terminology – Using-English-.com
• Conjunctions: Definition and Examples
• Conjunctions: Grammar Rules and Examples | G-r-a-m-m-a-r-l-y
• What Is a Conjunction | Examples & Exercises
• 4 Types of Conjunctions: Definitions and Examples
• What Are Conjunctions of Time in English? | L-a-n-Geek
• Using Conjunctions | Definition, Rules & Examples
• Conjunctions in English – Explore Meaning, Definition, Types, Usage and Examples
• Coordinating Conjunctions – Examples & Exercises
• Coordinating Conjunctions – Learn What They Are, Their Definition, Usage with Examples
• Cumulative Coordinating Conjunctions is called because they join words
• The Subordinating Conjunction & A Trick
• Subordinating Conjunctions – Learn the Meaning, Definition, Usage with Examples
• GMAT Grammar: Subordinate Conjunctions | Mag-o-o-sh Study Resources
• What is Correlative Conjunction? Examples and List » Only-My-English
• Correlative Conjunctions – Explore Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples
• Conjunctive Adverbs – Explore Meaning, Definition and Examples
• Introduction to Conjunctions – Definition, Types with Examples
• Conjunctions – English, Grammar
• Commas and Conjunctions – Grammar 101 – Elite Editing
• What are S-W-A-B-I-s in Grammar? – S-peel-i
• Conjunctions in English Grammar: Rules, Types, Uses with Examples
• 60 Conjunction Examples in Sentences

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

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Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Home / Guides / Grammar Guides / Conjunctions: And, But, Or and More!

Conjunctions: And, But, Or and More!

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses and sentences. They allow us to link ideas and form long, complex sentences instead of short, staccato statements. If you watched the School House Rock episode  ”Conjunction Junction what’s your function?”  as a child, you’re well aware that “ and, but  and  or  will get you very far” as the three most commonly used coordinating conjunction examples. However, this gang of little linking words is much bigger than just the conjunction junction trio, with subordinating and correlative types too. And their abilities are impressive for words that are often made up of just two or three letters. We’re going to look at the conjunction meaning in much greater detail, but this  useful reference  will reiterate the basics.

If you find that you’re struggling with the conjunction definition or another element of grammar, such as  preposition ,  interjection , or  determiner , you can use the grammar tool at EasyBib Plus to check your paper for errors. And if you’re referring to other sources within your work, EasyBib Plus can also help you to cite them correctly in MLA format, APA format , and many  more styles  of citation.

Guide Overview

• Conjunction function
• Types of conjunction
• The relationship makers: subordinating conjunctions
• The two-word teams: correlative conjunctions
• The wild cards: conjunctive adverbs
• Simple vs compound
• An adverbial friend
• Follow the rules
• Break the rules
• Matching the verb
• List of conjunctions
• Still struggling?

Conjunction Function

The simple answer to the question “what’s a conjunction” is that it’s a bridging word used to join various elements of a sentence, or to link entire sentences to create a more cohesive idea. These amazingly useful words can be used to connect:

• Red  and  white.
• Tea  or  coffee.
• Cloudy  but  dry.
• Try the chocolate cake  and  the vanilla pudding.
• Sit on the big red chair  or  the squishy blue cushion.
• We’re not going back to that restaurant  because  I didn’t enjoy the food.
• My grades have improved  since  I started taking extra tutoring.
• No-one expected Jenna to finish the race.  But  she won the gold medal!
• Pro-  and  anti- government supporters gathered for the protest.

These clever connectors work well with all of the main word types (noun,  adjective , verb, etc.). For example:

• Nouns  — I like both dogs  and  cats.
• Verbs  — I won’t walk  or  cycle if it’s raining.
• Adjective  — Ice cream is tasty  but  unhealthy.
• Adverbs  — I didn’t work quickly  nor  quietly.
• Pronouns  — The money is yours  and  mine.

Types of Conjunction

These linking words come in various different guises, with their own specific functions. The main types are coordinating, subordinating and correlative. Let’s take a look at each in turn.

The FANBOYS of Grammar: Coordinating Conjunctions

The most common coordinators are  for, and, nor, but, or, yet  and  so —which conveniently lend themselves to the acronym FANBOYS, to make them easier to remember. These FANBOYS deserve their own big fan base for giving us the means to form complex, interesting sentences, instead of robotic sequences of short statements.

For example, take this sentence:

I like swimming. I like diving. I don’t like getting my hair wet. I don’t like getting water in my ears.

It’s rather stiff, but add in a common coordinating conjunction or three:

I like swimming  and  diving,  but  I don’t like getting my hair wet  or  water in my ears.

You’ll notice that the result is far more natural and flows much better.

One more example:

Sarah works hard at school. Sarah always completes her homework on time. Sarah doesn’t good grades.

Sarah works hard at school,  and  always completes her homework on time,  yet  she doesn’t get good grades.

These short but sweet connectors are used to join words, phrases, clauses and even sentences that are of equal importance, i.e., the emphasis is not placed on one or the other.

For example:

• Linking words  — I like swimming  and  diving.
• Linking phrases  — I like swimming in the pool  and  in the sea.
• Linking clauses  — I like swimming,  but  I don’t like getting my hair wet.

In these examples, each of the joined elements is of equal importance. In the case of the clauses, this makes them independent clauses. A sentence that contains two independent clauses is known as a compound sentence.

If you’re feeling confused by sentence structure, the next section should help.

Independent or Dependent?

It’s really difficult to understand this word type without first understanding sentence structure. Hopefully, this section will make the varying clause combinations less of a mystery. However, if you’re still struggling with sentence structure or with how to define conjunction, you can  find more info  at this useful site.

There are three main types of sentence structure to remember:

• Simple  — contains a single clause.
• Complex  — contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
• Compound  — contains two or more independent clauses.

Sentences can be made of independent or dependent clauses, which you need to be able to identify. Let’s look at the difference and some examples.

An  independent clause  contains a subject and a  verb , and is able to stand alone as a complete thought. It still makes sense even if you take away the rest of the sentence.

A  dependent clause  also contains a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone as a complete thought. As per its name, it depends on the other part of the sentence, usually the independent clause, to make sense.

• Independent clause  — I was late to class.
• Dependent clause  — Because I was late to class… (This clause cannot stand alone as a sentence, making it dependent on another clause.)
• Independent clause plus independent clause  — I was late to class,  and  I had forgotten my pen. (Linked by the coordinating conjunction  and .)
• Independent clause plus dependent clause  — I was given a detention  because  I was late to class. (Linked by the subordinating conjunction  because .)

Or alternatively:

• Dependent clause plus independent clause  —  Because  I was late to class, I was given a detention.

It’s also possible to join two dependent clauses together with a correlative conjunction. More on those later!

Elliptical Clauses

Dependent clauses can often cause confusion because they may not appear to be a clause at all. This is because the verb or the subject may be implied. This is known as an  elliptical clause . Watch out for these when learning about subordinates, which are used to link independent and dependent clauses.

To Comma or Not to Comma?

Now that is the question that can often catch people off guard! This word type and commas have a difficult relationship. However, if you stick to the rules, you can’t go far wrong. The usual rules are as follows.

Independent clause plus independent clause  — add a comma after the linking word.

Sarah always works hard at school,  and  completes her homework on time.

Some writers argue that, if the independent clauses are short and balanced, the linking word serves in place of the comma, making a comma surplus to requirements.

Sarah always works hard at school  and  completes her homework on time.

You might want to discuss this point with your lecturer. However, whichever punctuation you agree upon, remember that consistency is key.

Independent clause plus dependent clause  — no comma.

I slipped on the path  because  it was icy.

Dependent clause plus independent clause  — add a comma after the dependent clause.

Because it was icy, I slipped on the path.

The Relationship Makers: Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to join independent and dependent clauses. There are far more members in this gang than there are in the FANBOYS gang.

Common single word examples include:  after, before, because, since, as, if, although, though, once, than, that, unless, until, while, when, where, whereas.

You’ll also find examples of this word type that are made up of more than one word. For example:  as if, as long as, even if, even though, if only, in order that, rather than, so that.

Subordinate conjunctions can be used to show a variety of different relationships between the two (or more) clauses in a sentence. Let’s look at some examples.  Note: In the case of elliptical clauses, the implied words are (enclosed).

Comparison or Degree  —  than, as, else, otherwise, rather, as much as, as far as, as well as.

• Sarah is happier  than  her sister (is happy).
• I like to read  as much as  I can (read).
• Matt doesn’t play football  as well as  his brother (plays football).

Time  —  since, until, as long as, as soon as, before, after, when, as, while.

• We had coffee  while  we were waiting.
• I have to leave  as soon as  it gets dark.
• Since  I started my new job, I haven’t had a single night off.

Place  —  where.

• I went to the cafe  where  we usually meet.

Manner  —  as if, as though.

• He led the presentation confidently  as though  he’d done it many times before.

Condition  —  if, though, unless, except, without, once.

• Once  you’ve paid the balance, the car is yours.
• I’m not talking to him  unless  he calms down.
• I can’t make a cake  without  breaking some eggs.

Reason or Concession  —  as, inasmuch as, why, because, for, since, though, although, albeit.

• Since  you won’t apologize, I’m not speaking to you.
• Arya went to the shop  because  she needed milk.

Purpose or Result  —  that, so that, in order that, such that.

• We turned out all the lights  so that  they thought we weren’t home.

Indirect Questions  —  whether, why, when.

• He wouldn’t tell me  why  it was there.

The Two-Word Teams: Correlative Conjunctions

These two-word tag teams can work together to join words, phrases and clauses that have equal weighting within a sentence. They can also be used to join two dependent clauses. Examples include:  as/as, if/then, either/or, neither/nor, both/and, where/there, so/as, not only/but also.

The rule with these perfect pairs is that they must be positioned by the parallel elements.

Sara is buying  not only  a car  but also  a motorbike.

This sentence balances because the correlatives are placed before each noun phrase (“a car” and “a motorbike”).

Matt  neither  studied for his English test  nor  finished his paper.

This sentence balances because the correlatives are placed before each verb (“studied” and “finished”).

Amber wanted to win  both  the gold medal in the 200m race  and  the gold medal in the 500m race.

This sentence balances because the correlatives are placed before each  noun  phrase (“the gold medal”).

Amber wanted to  either  win the 200m race  or  set a new record.

This sentence balances because the correlatives are placed before each verb (“win” and “set”).

The Wild Cards: Conjunctive Adverbs

When an  adverb  is used to connect two parts of a sentence it’s known as a conjunctive adverb. The list of these often not-quite-so-little linking words includes:  accordingly, also, besides, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus.

The grammar rules for this sub-category differ slightly, with the appearance of the lesser-spotted semicolon.

When used to join two clauses  — Clause; conjunctive adverb, clause.

• Kim decided to stay home because it was raining;  therefore , she could spend more time studying for her test.
• Jack was studying in the library;  meanwhile , Sarah was planning his birthday surprise.

These can also be used to join two follow-on sentences  — Clause. Conjunctive adverb, clause.

• Kim decided to stay home because it was raining.  Therefore , she could spend more time studying for her test.
• Jack was studying in the library.  Meanwhile , Sarah was planning his birthday surprise.

Sometimes you might place a conjunctive adverb in the middle of a clause. In this case it should usually be enclosed by commas.

• Kim decided,  therefore , to stay at home.
• Jack was,  similarly , trapped indoors.

Simple vs Compound

This handy connective word type comes in varying shapes and sizes. Among the simplest are the coordinators:  for, and, nor, but, or, yet  and  so  (remember  FANBOYS ?).

Other simple single word connectors include:  after, as, if, lest, once, since, than, that, though, till, when, where, while.

Compounds are made when two single words come together to form a new word. These include:  although, because, nevertheless, notwithstanding, whenever, wherever, therefore, moreover.

Phrasal conjunctives are made of two or more separate words, functioning as one. Examples include:  as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, by the time, even if, even though, in order that, in case, only if, provided that, so that, supposing that.

An Adverbial Friend

Adverbs can be used in conjunction with this word type, allowing you to add extra emphasis to the linking word. Many of the above phrasal examples fall into the category of subordinating linking words modified by adverbs.

For example,  even , when standing alone, is an adverb (in this context). Here it’s being used to modify  though , to add emphasis to the link between the two clauses.

My mom phoned  even though  I asked her not to.

Right , when standing alone, is an adverb (in this context). Here it’s being used to modify the linking word  before , indicating that she arrived very close to closing time.

I made it to the shops  right before  they closed.

Follow the Rules

As with all elements of grammar, there are some rules to remember when using these words to link words, phrases, clauses or sentences. These include the following:

Rule 1:  The parts that you are linking should be in grammatical agreement.

• I like running  and  to swim — incorrect.
• I like running  and  swimming — correct.
• I like to run  and  swim — correct.
• I work quickly  yet  am accurate — incorrect.
• I work quickly  yet  accurately — correct.
• I am a quick  yet  accurate worker — correct.

Rule 2:  Only use one of this word type to connect two elements of a sentence (unless using a phrasal or correlative). These words usually like to work alone.

• Because  the bus was late,  so  I was late for class — incorrect.
• Because  the bus was late, I was late for class — correct.

Break the Rules

The most natural place for a linking word is in-between the elements of a sentence that it is linking. Some rules, however, are meant to be broken and the main act of rebellion for this word type is that it can sometimes be positioned at the beginning of a sentence.

Subordinating Conjunctions Examples

As you’ll have noticed, the dependent and independent clauses of a sentence can often switch positions and still make sense; therefore, placing the subordinate linking word at the beginning of the sentence.

• Daniel drinks a protein shake  before  he goes to the gym.
• Before  he goes to the gym, Daniel drinks a protein shake.

This can be useful for two reasons:

While the independent clause usually dominates the dependent clause, swapping their natural positions can subtly switch the emphasis for the reader.

In the above, example one focuses the reader’s attention on the fact that Daniel drinks a protein shake. While example two focuses the reader’s attention on the fact that Daniel goes to the gym.

Using a mixture of different sentence structures can help to make your writing more interesting and engaging.

Coordinating Examples

In the case of the FANBOYS ( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so ), positioning them at the beginning of a sentence is the subject of some debate. After all, isn’t the idea of these words that they link two elements together? However, you can use them to link two sentences, positioning the linking word at the start of the second sentence.

It took me seven hours to draft my  research paper . But  my journey didn’t end there.

The above is a good example of starting a sentence with a coordinate for dramatic effect. You might also use this device to convey surprise.

So Sara ate all the chocolate cake?  And  she didn’t save you any?

Or to place extra emphasis on the second part.

I lost the first race.  But  I won the second!

Breaking the rules and positioning your linking word at the start of a sentence can be a very useful device to subtly convey meaning to your reader and add extra interest to your work. However, use it too much and it will quickly lose its power!

Matching the Verb

Some words on the conjunctions list have the additional superpower of denoting whether the sentence verb should be singular or plural.

Plural Verb

• My mom  and  dad  were  in Florida.
• Apartments one  through  ten  were  empty.
• In these examples  and  and  through  indicate the need for a plural verb.

Singular Verb

• My mom  or  dad  wakes  me every morning.
• Either  apartment one  or  apartment ten  was  empty.

In these examples  or  and  either/or  indicate the need for a singular verb. Note that if you’re using a correlative, like above, to connect two subjects, it’s the second subject that must agree with the verb.

• Either  apartment one  or  apartments six and seven  were  empty.
• Either  apartments six and seven  or  apartment one  was  empty.

The same rule also applies to matching the  pronoun  to two antecedents connected with a correlative.

• Neither  Sarah  nor  her sisters ate their dinner last night.
• Neither  her sisters  nor  Sarah ate her dinner last night.

List of Conjunctions

As well as the categories that we’ve looked at above—coordinating, subordinating and correlative—this word type can also be split into categories of function. These include cumulative/copulative, adversative, disjunctive/alternative and illative.

Let’s look at these in more detail, with examples:

Cumulative/Copulative  includes  and, both/and, as well as, not only/but also.

These add one statement to another.

• I made the presentation,  and  Alice gave the speech.
• I  not only  baked the cake  but also  made the entrees too.

Adversative  includes  but, still, yet, whereas, while, nevertheless.

These express a contrast between two statements.

• Sara is small,  but  she is strong.
• I didn’t want to go to work,  yet  I still went.

Disjunctive/Alternative  includes  or, either/or, neither/nor, neither, nor, otherwise, else.

These present two alternatives.

• I’d like to holiday in Hawaii  or  Cancun this year.
• Either  do the work  or  you’ll fail the class.

Illative  includes  for  and  so .

These express something inferred from another statement.

• He’s done all the work  so  he should pass the class.
• The bus must be late  for  Sarah has still not arrived.

Still Struggling?

If you’re still struggling to answer the question “what is a conjunction,” don’t worry! It can take some time to fully understand the different types and rules of use. Understanding sentence structure and clauses is essential for understanding how to properly use and place conjunction words, which makes this element of grammar even trickier. You can  learn more here  or search online for conjunctions worksheets to practice what you’ve learned.

EasyBib Plus paper checker also has handy tools to give you extra peace of mind while you’re coming to grips with grammar. The grammar checker will help to ensure that your punctuation is perfectly placed, so you can hand in your work without worrying.

The EasyBib Plus  plagiarism checker  will also give you added confidence that your tutor isn’t going to find examples of accidental plagiarism in your work, which could result in lower marks, failing a paper or even stronger consequences. If you find sources that need to be cited, EasyBib Plus’s citing tools can help you to create citations in a wide variety of formats, including the popular APA and  MLA format , as well as Chicago/Turabian and more.

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What Are Conjunctions?

#scribendiinc

A detailed guide to using conjunctions properly

Conjunctions are an integral part of the English language. If used properly, they can improve almost any type of writing. From business writing to academic writing , conjunctions help create better sentences. However, using them incorrectly or not using them at all results in choppy and incoherent writing. This article will explain what conjunctions are and how to use them properly.

Conjunctions explained

A conjunction is a part of speech that functions as a connector between two sentences, clauses, phrases, or words.  We often use conjunctions in speech without realizing it. In writing, they can be effectively used in lieu of starting a new sentence. The proper use of conjunctions allows for more natural flow and rhythm in your writing. The improper use of conjunctions often results in writing that sounds choppy and disjointed.

Look at the following three sentences, for example: "I went to the store. They didn't have apples. They also didn't have hot sauce." While technically not incorrect, these sentences would sound much better as one sentence joined together by conjunctions. "I went to the store, but they had neither apples nor hot sauce."

The previous sentence used two different types of conjunctions: coordinating and correlative. Many people aren't even aware there are two types, but in an editor's world, there are major differences between the two.

Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are the most common form of conjunctions. They are so pervasive in the English language that they are used in nearly every sentence or paragraph in some form or another. Despite the frequency of these conjunctions, their use still results in common ESL mistakes . There are seven coordinating conjunctions in total and it is very likely you’ve heard all of them many times today. While you may not be able to list them off the top of your head, there is a very simple mnemonic that can help you to remember them: FANBOYS.

F – for

A – and

N – nor 

B – but

O – or

Y – yet

S – so

These seven words function to connect two or more items of equal syntactic importance. These items can be words, sentences, or clauses. However, there is a risk associated with using coordinators, as they can lead to what is known as a run-on sentence. This is a sentence that is too heavy and contains multiple subjects. Coordinating conjunctions can lead to rambling and nonsensical sentences if you are not careful; use them sparingly. If you've used more than two coordinating conjunctions in one sentence, you've likely got a run-on sentence.

Correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are slightly more obscure, but you have undoubtedly come across them in your daily speech. A correlative conjunction, as its name implies, is a pair of conjunctions that are joined together to combine two relative parts of speech.

"It was either me or him."

In this sentence, "either" and "or" are the correlative conjunctions. They bind "me" and "him" together, insinuating an inclusive relationship. The following are the primary correlative conjunctions in the English language:

Not only… but also…     as in:  She was not only mean, but also rude.

Neither…nor…              as in: They were neither fun nor exciting.

Both…and…                 as in: He was both pleased and surprised.

Whether…or…              as in: He was not sure whether he was winning or losing.

Not…but…                   as in: They did not want to waste the day, but they stayed inside.

Correlative conjunctions often function as comparative devices. While this is not their sole function, it is the most common context in which you will see them.

Overall…

Conjunctions may breathe creative life into your writing by allowing you to combine ideas and compare clauses without having to break up your sentences into choppy fragments. They can, however, cause problems if not used properly.

If you are having problems with them, or simply want to ensure you have used them correctly, don't hesitate to send your essay or manuscript to our English academic editors . 

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• Academic writing
• Commonly confused words
• Critical thinking
• PEEL Paragraphs
• Linking/transition words
• Paraphrasing
• Proofreading
• Terms and definitions
• Action Words: What is description, application, analysis and evaluation

Linking/transition words: Things you need to know...

All assignments are written in formal language.   You need to ensure that you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding alongside your ability to answer the question/solve the problem. 

Below are some ideas to help you to develop your structure and flow.

• Linking / transition words and phrases join ideas, sentences and paragraphs together. They should be used within sentences and to move from one idea to another (between sentences).   

These words and phrases indicate the direction, order and flow of ideas. Significantly, they strengthen the quality and structure of your work.

• Redundant Words - less is more.  P articularly when trying to reduce the word count, it is important to look for phrases which can be replaced with a single word.

Linking/Transition Words

Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop.  When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:

Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples in the table below).

Linking words: conjunctions

Linking words within a sentence  are referred to as coordinating conjunctions.  Do not worry about the term: think about the function.

Conciseness / redundant words

Microsoft Word now has an additional feature within the Edito r - it is called conciseness or wordiness.  

• If you cannot see the Editor menu a quick tip is to hold down the function (fn key at the bottom left of the keyboard) + F7 (top line of keys).
• From the Refinements section - select Conciseness - if there are any suggestions a number will appear in the box alongside this option
• A dotted line will appear under any groups of groups
• Either select the identified text by clicking with your right mouse button OR click on the down down next to the Conciseness menu.
• MS Word will display any alternative words which you can either select and they will be replaced in your text or reject if you want to keep the original phrases.

Examples:  try to replace phrases with a single words which mean the same.

Need to know more...

• Related pages
• External links
• Academic writing Illustrates the main features of academic writing so that you are aware of what it is and what it involves
• Critical Thinking Academic work involves thinking, not just accepting what you read or are told.
• Terms and Definitions Important words appear in your assignments and examinations. The aim of this factsheet is to help you to fully understand what they mean.

Additional resources to help you to improve your confidence and grades:-

• Writing Effectively  demonstrates the importance of: clarity, structure, relevance, argument and precision.
• Writing Mechanics  gives further examples and resources on areas including: sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Linking/Transition words - Scribbr  https://www.scribbr.co.uk/syntax/transition-words-examples/ [Accessed 10 February 2023]

There are many books concerning academic writing, look around Dewey number  808

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70+ Connective Words To Power Up Your Essays [COMPREHENSIVE LIST]

by Kerri-Anne Edinburgh | Aug 5, 2021

When you’re writing an essay or assignment, you need to use every trick in the book to maximise your marks. And one of the best tools for radically improving your writing is the power of connective words .

Used correctly, connective words can give your writing new depth and meaning, improve readability (important for your examiner!) and demonstrate the logic of your arguments.

Luckily for you, we’ve got plenty of categories, definitions and connectives examples to help you get started…

Psst – this article uses loads of connectives. See if you can spot them in use: we’ve italicised the best examples!

What are connective words?

Simply put, connectives are words – or phrases – that link parts of your writing together.

You’re probably familiar with the most common connective words: and, as, because, but, if, or, so . In fact, I’ve used a few of them already – did you spot them?

Don’t limit your essay writing to the basics though, because there are hundreds of connectives that can help you to demonstrate different ideas, such as cause and effect , or the chronology of events .

We’re going to explore ten types of connectives below, but first , here’s a quick refresher on the grammar behind connective words:  

Definitions: The grammatical bit

Understanding the grammar behind your writing might not be your thing – but bear with me, because remembering these six definitions will help you know which connective to use when, and where to place them!

(If you’re just looking for examples of connectives, feel free to skip straight past this bit!)

Connectives fall into three grammatical categories: conjunctions, prepositions, and adverbs.

• For example: and, but, for, or, yet .
• Today , I finished my history assignment but forgot to workout .
• Such as: at, in, of, on, under .
• I need to finish the conclusion of my essay before I go to dinner.
• For instance: upwards, quickly, fortunately .
• My deadline is tomorrow. Fortunately , I proofread my thesis chapter already .

Using adverb and preposition connective words adds specific meaning – and thus clarity – to your writing. They are particularly useful for successful essay signposting .

Definitions part 2: Connectives in sentences

When using connectives, it’s also important to remember that not all sentences are created equal in importance . And so , when connecting them into longer sentences, different types of connectives create different results:

• For example: I find French tricky but I love learning Spanish.

On the other hand,

• A subordinate clause relies on the main clause to make sense. Therefore, these connectives give information about the relationship between the clauses by specifying an order or place to events, or a cause and effect link.
• Here’s an example: I need to do my homework if I want to get a good grade .

A useful type of subordinating connective for essay writing is the:

• For instance: Firstly , I carried out the experiment, and secondly , I analysed the results.

And that’s your grammar refresh done!

If you’re struggling with essay-writing grammar, a great tool for checking your writing is Grammarly * – we use it at Exam Study Expert because it catches a broad range of mistakes. Their blog is also a great place to learn how to use conjunctions , prepositions , adverbs and more.

How to use connective words

So how do you go about using connectives?

In this section, we’re going to discuss the where, what and how …

Where to add connectives:

As we’ve seen , connective words are often found in the middle of a sentence, joining two clauses. But don’t forget you can also use them at the beginning of a sentence to link two consecutive sentences – OR two ideas within your paragraphs (did you see what I did there?).

Some of your connectives will even be linking entire paragraphs and sections – these are often examples of signposting to guide the reader through your section or argument.

What’s more , many connectives are not just single words but phrases. These connectives are particularly useful for essay writing and academic vocabulary. For example: as well as, for an example of this, for instance, in addition to, on the other hand, such as .

What to use connectives for:

When you’re writing an essay or assignment there are plenty of tasks you need to achieve: presenting evidence, making arguments and more.

Happily, connectives can help you achieve all these tasks by clarifying your meaning. You can use connectives for:

• Reinforcing or emphasising a point
• Exemplifying and showing results
• Comparing and discussing points of view
• Constructing a timeline or sequence of events
• Listing points (and signposting them)
• Explaining your argument
• Drawing together conclusions

It’s a long list! So master using connectives and you’ll drastically improve the readability of your writing across all sections of your essay.

How to add in useful connective words:

You’re probably already using basic connectives in your writing.

But if you want to get serious about the benefits to your grades, make sure you’re systematic about how you add them during your essay construction – and (later) proofreading to check they make sense on a large(r) scale!

From experience, I would suggest that the best method for choosing and adding effective connectives is to:

• Sketch out a rough draft of your paragraph or essay section
• Are they separate arguments for the same thing? Or opposite points of view? Do they follow on logically (cause and effect) or chronologically?
• Mark where you want to add signposting connectives to indicate structure
• Check your examples of connective word types and choose options that convey the meaning you need…

And for that purpose, we’ve compiled four lists of connective words for you – including the TOP 70 connectives for effective essay writing! So read on…

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Types of connective words

So let’s get down to the really useful stuff: examples of connectives you can use in different situations in your essays!

There are three main types of connectives that we’re going to explore in turn:

• Comparative , Causal, and Temporal

Comparative connective words

These helpful words and phrases are perfect both for comparing similarities in data and arguments, and for pointing out their differences and oppositions. Use them to compare, discuss and argue.

When comparing points, you’ll often be adding to your argument, so these connectives are used for “ addition ”. The most common connectives for addition are: and, also, furthermore, moreover .

Here are some examples in practice:

• Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist and inventor, and also an influential Renaissance humanist.
• Exam Study Expert’s psychologist William offers expert one-on-one exam coaching . Furthermore , you can sign up for a free introductory session!
• My empirical data demonstrates that … ; similarly , theoretical models projected …

On the other hand , you might need to demonstrate and contrast your argument with the opposing point of view with a connective for “ opposition ”. The most commonly used are: alternatively, except, however, unless .

These examples all demonstrate opposition:

• Winston Churchill is best known for his wartime leadership of the United Kingdom, yet he was already in his 60’s when he took office.
• Some students find great study motivation from starting the day with their hardest task. In contrast , others find getting the ball rolling with smaller tasks more effective.
• Our first questionnaire was comprised of six questions. However , for our second questionnaire we …

Causal connective words

Causal connectives are effective for discussing cause and effect – relationships that have logical links that you want to point out and prove.

As such , academic writing is often full of causal connectives, and many of them demonstrate a very academic vocabulary (great for bonus points in your assignment!).

Most essays and assignments have a section (or several sections!) where you need to draw together your facts, ideas and arguments and point out the connections. These are the connectives to turn to at those moments!

The most commonly used are: as such, as a result (of), because, consequently, therefore, thus .

Here are some examples:

• The brains of London taxi drivers have a larger than usual area that deals with memory because they are required to memorise and navigate thousands of streets.
• Flashcards are a highly effective learning and memory tool, provided that you use them correctly.
• This study surveyed over 3,000 students. As a result , we were able to …

Temporal connective words

Whether you’re explaining the sequence of events that led to a historical battle, or demonstrating the steps in your experiment, temporal connectives are a highly valuable tool.

They’re all about discussing time and the chronology of events – what happened before, during and after . Therefore , they make for great signposting words too!

These examples explore each of the four sections in our temporal connectives lists:

• The law of gravity was not widely understood until it was mathematically formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in 1687.
• If you’re stressed about your exams, mindful meditation can be a great help. At the same time ,an inspirational quote might give you the boost you need!
• Initially , the experiment was expected to demonstrate … Eventually , we came to the conclusion that …

The TOP 70 connective words for effective essay writing!

To make sure that you’ve got the tools you need to improve your grades, we’ve compiled this epic list of all the best connectives to use in academic writing.

This is just a selection from the hundreds of connective words and phrases available. So there’s no need to make your essay stale by over-using the same one or two!

If there’s nothing else you grab when you’re ticking off Step #4 from the connectives methodology above – make sure you grab this list!

It covers all the stages of essay structuring and writing, from introduction to conclusion . And includes lists of connectives for:

• Signposting and listing
• Comparing and contrasting
• Illustrating your findings
• Demonstrating cause and effect
• Emphasising points
• Qualifying your arguments

We’ve highlighted the best and most commonly used connectives for each section to ensure you’ve got THE best resource to improve the quality of your essay immediately.

To finish off , here are some examples to get your essay-writing inspiration flowing:

• Firstly , it is well-known that retrieval practice is an effective learning method as compared with re-reading study texts and notes.
• I’m feeling tired tonight. Nevertheless , I must finish my homework and I want to take the dog for a walk.
• When it comes to …, however , there are several effective methods to …, in particular , …

Good luck with your essay!

Now you’ve mastered adding effective connective words to your essay you’re ready for the next step. Be sure to check out our guide on proofreading your assignment before you hand it in. Good luck!

And for more expert, science-backed study resources, sign up to the Exam Study Expert newsletter right here:

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Conjunctions and linking words

Conjunctions are linking words like and , or , but , then and because . The two main types of conjunctions are coordinating (words such as and and but ) and subordinating. Subordinating conjunctions (e.g. because , if , when , in order to ) link a subordinate clause to a main clause. Temporal subordinating conjunctions are words such as when , while , before , after , until , once , as soon as .

Click on a topic to learn more about conjunctions and linking words.

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Using the Right Conjunctions in Writing

Conjunctions are words which connect ( conjoin means to join together) two parts of the same sentence. Using conjunctions in writing is essential to form longer, more complex sentences and join two or more ideas. Conjunctions do not only bring ideas and pieces of information together but they also separate or contrast them against each other.

For example:

Mom is going to the grocery store and dad is staying at home to make dinner.

The conjunction "and" helps us give information about what both mom and dad are doing at the moment in the same sentence.

Johnny wants to go to the concert tonight, but Jess has to study.

In this case, the conjunction "but" is used to contrast the plans Johnny and Jess have for the same evening.

More examples:

I worked so hard for three years and I finally fulfilled my dream. Elizabeth, Mark, and Sarah signed up for Spanish classes but they ended up in the French class with me.

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

Why Conjunctions?

In short, conjunctions are linking words. We use them in writing because they make our sentences more interesting and allow us to skillfully provide a greater amount of information in the same sentence. They also improve the diversity of our sentences and paragraphs, making the overall text more pleasant to read.

Types of Conjunctions

We differentiate between coordinating , subordinating , and correlative conjunctions.

Coordinating conjunctions are words which connect equal parts of a sentence that could be either words or phrases. Such conjunctions are "and", "so", "or", "but", "yet". You can remember that they all contain fewer than four letters.

Fred couldn't lie anymore, so he told the truth.

The coordinating conjunction "so" connects two independent parts – the first one informs us that Frank could not lie anymore and the second one informs us that he told the truth.

My favorite bands are Radiohead and The National.

The coordinating conjunction "and" connects an independent phrase about the writer's favorite band with the name of another band.

I feel like eating pizza or a burrito tonight.

The coordinating conjunction "or" connects two food options, implying that only one of them is acceptable.

Subordinating conjunctions bring together a dependent and independent clause. The conjunction comes before the dependent (or subordinating) clause which could not make a complete sentence on its own without the independent clause. These conjunctions include "because", "since", "for", "before", "whenever", "whereas" , and many others.

We couldn't go out because it was raining.

"Because it was raining" could not be a complete sentence without the independent clause "we couldn't go out". The conjunction "because" bridges the two parts and gives us information about why someone could not go out.

Since you are always late, you will have to submit another assignment. Whenever I see a dog on the street, I feel happy.

Correlative means "related".

Correlative conjunctions always come in pairs. Words such as "either/or", "such/that", "neither/nor", and "as/as" bring equal parts of a sentence together. These conjunctions often list options, choices, or ideas among which some or none are valid or achievable. Correlative conjunctions are also useful in comparisons.

We can either leave now or in half an hour.

The conjunction "either/or" tells us which two options are available and implies that only one of them can happen.

Emma is as good in Spanish as she is in Japanese.

The conjunction "as/as" tells us that Emma's understanding of Spanish is equal to her understanding of Japanese.

Conjunctive adverbs , also known as adverbial conjunctions , are words that bring together two separate thoughts or sentences. For this reason, they are placed in the middle of two thoughts. The correct punctuation for a conjunctive adverb is a period ( . ) / semicolon ( ; ) / comma  ( , ) before it, and a comma  ( , ) after it.

You should come with us . Moreover, you shouldn't stay here alone. You should come with us ; moreover, you shouldn't stay here alone. You should come with us , and moreover, you shouldn't stay here alone.

Examples of conjunctive adverbs: moreover, for instance, finally, in addition, nevertheless, however, and many others.

Vegetarian diet has many benefits; for example , vegetarians tend to live longer.

Either of these sentences can be independent and represents a separate thought. They are brought together by the conjunctive adverb "for example" to form a stronger argument.

Jack walked for three hours searching for a perfect present and, finally , he found one in the Chinese quarter. It seemed like I was going to spend the night in the city. Nevertheless , I found a way to go home.

Choosing the right conjunction is essential for several reasons:

1. conjunctions enrich your writing and allow you to bring many ideas together..

I love cooking. I love watching TV. I started loving these activities when I was a child. => Since I was a child, I've loved cooking and watching TV. It is snowing. We have no choice. We cannot walk to the cinema. We also cannot bike to the cinema. => Because it is snowing, we can neither walk nor bike to the cinema.

2. Conjunctions can help you say more in fewer words.

Tom told me he can't go to Germany with us. The reason he can't go is that he doesn't have money. => Tom told me he can't go to Germany with us because he doesn't have money. This morning I brushed my teeth. After that, I drank coffee. After my coffee, I made a sandwich. After all of that, I watched TV. => This morning, I brushed my teeth, drank coffee, made a sandwich, and watched TV.

3. Choosing a wrong conjunction can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Dana doesn't like beans but she does like peas. => Dana doesn't like beans nor does she like peas.

In the first example, we incorrectly learn that Dana likes peas and not beans. When we replace the conjunction "but" with "nor", we make it clear that Dana doesn't like beans and she doesn't like peas.

4. In addition, misplacing the correctly chosen conjunction can also confuse your readers.

I wake up early, although I am not tired.

This sentence can mean that the writer wakes up early despite not being tired.

Although I wake up early, I am not tired.

Putting the conjunction "although" at the beginning of the sentence clarifies its meaning. The writer now says that in spite of waking up early, she is not tired.

Besides knowing what each conjunction means and where to place your conjunctions, what else should you keep in mind?

Conjunctions Join Parallel Structures

We explained which conjunctions join two independent clauses and which join dependent clauses . However, it is also important to note that conjunctions are meant to connect phrases which have equal structures. For example, you should join two adverbs , two adjectives , or two verbs put in the same tense (unless they are preceded by pronouns or nouns ).

Hannah looked beautiful and elegantly .

The conjunction "and" is placed incorrectly because it joins an adjective (beautiful) and an adverb (elegantly). Instead, it should be phrased:

Hannah looked beautiful and elegant .

In this case, the conjunction joins two adverbs.

My parents lived in Miami in the 1970s but move out due to the weather. => My parents lived in Miami in the 1970s but move d out due to the weather. John got a promotion because he does his job thoroughly and careful . => John got a promotion because he does his job thoroughly and carefully .

Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

Many English learners are led to believe that starting a sentence with a conjunction is wrong. However, this is not the case. First and foremost, subordinating conjunctions precede dependent clauses, so it is logical for them to be able to stand at the beginning of a sentence.

Whenever it rains, his mood changes.

Other coordinating conjunctions can also be the first word in your sentence. However, they have a much stronger role if they bring different parts of a sentence together, so it is advisable to use them at the beginning of a sentence only occasionally.

Yet , they reached their destination. But also: They were exhausted, yet they reached their destination.

In conclusion, using the right conjunctions in writing is important for several reasons. Remember that conjunctions do the following:

• connect equal parts of a sentence
• bring together two or more independent sentences
• join independent and dependent clauses
• stand in the middle of a sentence separated by commas or a semicolon and comma
• connect equal structures
• can be placed at the beginning of a sentence

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Linking Words – Full List, Examples & Worksheet

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Worried that your essay lacks structure and coherence? Perhaps you should use linking words, transition words, or connectors to give it a boost.

Linking words join separate sentences to improve writing flow. You can also find them mid-sentence to connect clauses.

Read on as I show you the definition and types of linking words in English. I also list examples of linking words under every category, and I whipped up a helpful worksheet to test your skills.

What Are Linking Words?

Linking words, transition words, or connecting words in the English language help connect ideas and sentences when speaking or writing.

Linking words and phrases are connectors or transitional phrases. They are also part of formal language, so you’ll find them in academic writing, opinion writing, critical essays, dialectic essays , journalism, and business documents.

Some linking verbs link clauses within a sentence, such as although, in case, and whatever. That means you can find them in the middle of sentences from time to time. Others link two complete sentences, such as besides, as a result, and however.

List of Transition Words

Now that you know the meaning of transition words, let’s look at the usage of transition words in sentences and clauses. Don’t worry, I’ll break it all down for you!

Below, I’ve got a list of linking words and phrases to serve as alternative choices for connecting ideas in writing. Note that there are several types of transition words which we will discuss later.

Agreement/Addition/Similarity

Linking words may help the reader understand additional comments or ideas in a statement. They may also express agreement or similarities. These words are also called additive transition words, commonly found in expository essays and narrative essays.

• In the first place
• As a matter of fact
• In like manner
• In addition
• Not only, but also
• Coupled with
• In the same way
• In the same manner
• First, second, third
• Not to mention
• In the light of
• By the same token
• Additionally
• Correspondingly
• Furthermore
• Comparatively
• At the same time
• Together with
• Identically

Here are some examples of additive linking words in a sentence.

• The group found that a constructivist approach leads to higher test scores. Moreover, essay examinations show higher levels of learning.
• The resort has tennis courts. Furthermore, it has an Olympic pool.

Negative Ideas

Some linking words come in pairs to join negative ideas.

• Not, neither
• Neither, nor

Here are sentence examples of linking words showing negative ideas.

• I haven’t seen Lory, neither have I talked to her friend.
• I neither drink nor smoke.

Opposition/Limitation/Contradiction

Whereas some linking words show an extra idea, these transition phrases and words express contrasting ideas in writing.

• Although this may be true
• In contrast
• (and) still
• Notwithstanding
• Different from
• Of course…, but
• On the other hand
• On the contrary
• Be that as it may
• Nonetheless
• Even so/though
• Nevertheless
• In spite of

Here are some sentences with linking words of opposition.

• The short story can be analyzed using a functionalist lens. However, its historical theme is better understood with a critical perspective.
• As much as I want to go, I must take care of my sister.

Some linking words show relationships between ideas by accepting an idea with reservation instead of showing complete opposition. Here are some examples.

• All the same
• Regardless of this
• Up to a point

Here are some sentence examples.

• Many citizens opposed this unfair policy, which the president nevertheless enacted.
• I like him even if we have different views in life.

Cause/Condition/Purpose

You may also use linking words in your writing piece to show conditions and purpose for a logical flow of ideas. Words like reason get the reader ready to understand why. These words are commonly found in hypothesis essays.

• In the event that
• Granted (that)
• Provided that
• On (the) condition (that)
• For the purpose of
• With this intention
• With this in mind
• In the hope that
• Inasmuch as
• To the end that
• For fear that
• In order to
• Seeing/being that
• The researchers used this method so that the results would be valid, reliable, and aligned with the objectives.
• I will not be attending the seminar due to a high fever.

Examples/Support/Emphasis

You can also use transition words in your piece of writing that show examples or support of an idea.

• In other words
• To put it differently
• For one thing
• In particular
• As an illustration
• In this case
• For example
• For instance
• For this reason
• To put it another way
• To demonstrate
• That is to say
• With attention to
• By all means
• To emphasize
• To enumerate
• Particularly
• Significantly
• Specifically
• Surprisingly
• Important to realize
• Another key point
• On the negative side
• First thing to remember
• Must be remembered
• To point out
• Point often overlooked
• She visited several cities, namely Portland, Jacksonville, Charleston, and Hartford.
• Transition words improve writing flow. For instance, we use further to add extra ideas related to the previous statement.

Effect/Consequence/Result

You might also spot transitional devices for essays that show consequences, results, and effects.

• As a result
• In that case
• Under those circumstances
• Accordingly
• Consequently

Consider the examples below.

• We watered the plant for seven days. In effect, it grew three inches taller.
• Because she didn’t study for the test, Anna failed and had to retake it.

Conclusion/Summary/Restatement

These words and phrases show transitions between sentences to show conclusions. You’ll find these words in essay conclusions of different essay types.

• In simple language
• In explanation
• In lay terms
• In a nutshell
• As can be seen
• In simple terms
• Generally speaking
• All things considered
• As shown above
• In the final analysis
• In the long run
• In either case
• Given these points
• As has been noted
• In any event
• On the whole
• By and large
• For the most part
• In conclusion
• To summarize

Note that in lay terms and in explanation are formal alternative choices to “ in a nutshell.”

Here are some examples.

• Matter is a material that occupies space and has mass. In simple language, it is any physical substance.
• I don’t want to climb the corporate ladder. After all, money isn’t everything.

Time/Chronology/Sequence

Linking words’ other role in writing is to show sequence or chronology. Under the time category, these phrases add a meaning of time. You can find these words in an essay introduction when the writer explains how the paper is structured.

• In due time
• From time to time
• At the present time
• Sooner or later
• Up to the present time
• To begin with
• Straightaway
• In the meantime
• In a moment
• Without delay
• All of a sudden
• At this instant
• First, second
• By the time
• Immediately
• Occasionally
• I watched the movie on television. Eventually, I fell asleep.
• First, fill the pan with water. Then, bring it to a boil.

Space/Location/Place

The following transition words are famous adverbial expressions that limit or modify space. Some of these words and phrases are also transition words of time.

• In the middle of
• To the left/right
• In front of
• On this side
• In the distance
• In the foreground
• In the background
• In the center of
• Adjacent to
• Opposite to

Below are sentence examples using transition words of space.

• My house is located behind the building.
• To the left of the supermarket is a flower shop.

Common Mistakes With Transition Words

Transition words help you create a flow of arguments for readers to understand what you’re saying. But misused transition words and phrases will make your writing unclear. Avoid these mistakes to give your readers a better experience.

Starting a Sentence With So, And, and Also

Both so and and are coordinating conjunctions, which means they can start independent clauses that stand on their own. But it’s not recommended to use these words and also as sentence starters in formal writing. For example:

• Incorrect: Also, there are unauthorized charges on my credit card account.
• Correct: Furthermore, there are unauthorized charges on my credit card account.

Combination of Transition Words And/Or

When writing an essay, avoid English transition words and/or because it makes your paper look messy. Instead, consider whether you need both connectors or only one of them. If you need them both, try this alternative.

• Incorrect: boat and/or plane.
• Correct: boat, plane, or both.

Using As Well As as Alternative to And

As well as has a different meaning from the transition word and. And means you’re listing something of equal importance. Meanwhile, as well as is for additional, less essential information. Here’s an example.

• Incorrect: In this paper, I discuss my movie analysis as well as provide recommendations for improvement.
• Correct: In this paper, I discuss my movie analysis and provide recommendations for improvement.

Archaic Words

Your writing may not make any sense to readers if you overuse archaic transition words like therewith .

For example, hereby means as a result. We can replace it with more modern and explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement is connected to the previous statement.

Linking Words Summary

A linking word is a term that connects different ideas in your text, whether they are contrasting, supporting, or adding. They can improve your writing and help it flow better, I promise!

Regardless of the style of writing, every piece of writing contains linking words to show perfect transitions. I hope my guide on the definition and list of transitions helps you use these words and phrases correctly. Memorize each category, and don’t overuse them in essays.

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List of Conjunctions: Learn to Use Joining Words

What’s the easiest way to memorize a list of conjunctions, also known as joining words? One answer is to break down your learning into manageable sections. Otherwise, your brain will need to learn dozens of words at once. But, what if you don’t have the time to manually divide up joining words into groups or create flashcards? Well, don’t worry! All the hard work was already done for you. You’ll find an easy to learn conjunctions list, separated by type below.

For additional help, there are even usage examples of the different types of joining words in the English language. We’ve also included descriptions of each type of conjunction list, just in case there are any word groups you’re not familiar with. So, are you ready to expand your vocabulary? Let’s begin with a coordinating conjunction list!

What is a Coordinating Conjunctions List (and Why Care?)

Learning the words on a c oordinating conjunction list isn’t difficult and it’s incredibly fun, believe it or not! That’s because there are only seven words in this category, which create the useful acronym FANBOYS . Wondering what FANBOYS stands for? Well, the acronym FANBOYS stands for the words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so . Easy enough, right? Write down this first conjunction words list , along with the acronym FANBOYS and it should stick in your mind easily enough.

Already know about FANBOYS a nd can create a coordinating conjunction list ? Check out this helpful resource on MLA format  and  more citation styles  of formatting your citations.

Why are these words so important to remember? You’ll find that speakers and writers use these words frequently. Each one is less than four letters long and they are some of the most common words in the English language. The role they play is not a small one, as they’re able to connect two independent clauses and combine them into one sentence. Here’s the coordinating conjunction list:

• F – for
• A – and
• N – nor
• B – but
• O – or
• Y – yet
• S – so

Are you curious how to use words from the coordinating conjunction list? Look at this  explanative link , or check out the examples of how to use words from this group in a sentence below:

For  – This word has a similar meaning to “because” in a sentence.

• She was tired when she arrived in class,  for  she had studied all night.

But  – This one connects opposing ideas.

• I tried out for the basketball team,  but  I didn’t make it.

Yet  – This word is like the word “but.” However, it emphasizes the contrast even more.

• It’s snowing outside,  yet  it’s the middle of summer!

Nor –  This word joins two nouns that the subject of the sentence does NOT have or obtain.

• Monica does not know about Michael and Bobby, nor about Jessica and Susan

So/Yet – These words suggest time and continuation depending on the context.

• So far, he hasn’t told her the truth.
• They love football, yet they gave up their tickets to someone less fortunate.

Make sure to commit FANBOYS to memory and you’re one step closer to knowing your main conjunctions list .

Now that you’ve covered a coordinating conjunctions list , it’s time to move into a subordinate conjunctions list . Think you can guess the difference between the two? Though they sound similar these conjunctions have two very different functions.

A Look at Subordinate Words: A List of Subordinating Conjunctions

Since you have FANBOYS down, let’s move on to a subordinating conjunctions list. These words are slightly more difficult to learn, because many of them are also prepositions. Plus, both connect clauses in a sentence. With that in mind, you should understand that words on the l ist of subordinating conjunctions have a different purpose. Instead of joining two independent clauses of equal importance, words from a subordinating conjunctions list make one clause less important than another. You’ll see how that works in the upcoming examples. For now, here is a subordinating conjunctions list :

As you can tell, there are many more subordinates than there are coordinates. In fact, this isn’t even half of the words in a subordinate conjunctions list you can use to show importance between two clauses. Either way, let’s look at a few examples of sentences using words on a subordinating conjunctions list :

• Jason went to get a drink of water  before  his exam started.
• She’s usually a happy toddler,  provided that  she’s fed regularly.
• I always visit Disneyland  whenever  I visit my grandparents in California.
• Tyler can enjoy painting  now   that he has his own studio.

Since you can use many of the words from a subordinate conjunctions list as another part of speech, it’s good to understand how each one works as a joining word. In a sentence, words on a list of subordinating conjunctions begin a dependent clause which cannot stand alone.

For instance,  ” If  I go to the store”  doesn’t form a complete idea. Connect it with an independent clause like in the sentence,  “I’ll get a new toy  if  I got to the store,”  and you have a complete thought.

You can often tell joining words from the rest by determining whether it constructs part of a sentence that holds a complete idea. Words with multiple uses will often form a complete thought when not used as a joining word.

Want to know more joining words and a subordinate conjunctions list ? Look at this informative reference  or see this additional subordinating conjunctions list:

What’s a Correlative List of Conjunctions?

Words on a correlative conjunctions list work in pairs to join equal clauses together. They can show up in different parts of a sentence. Additionally, you will always find them working together with their counterpart. For instance, one pair from this list of conjunctions is either/or . It joins two positive clauses of equal importance to form a complete sentence. For example:

• Either  you cook me dinner,  or  I leave.

Here are some additional sentences using words from a correlative conjunctions list:

Whether/Or  – This pair functions like the word  if  by bringing up hypothetical situations and joins the two options.

• I’m wearing my new swimsuit  whether  I go to the beach  or  to the swimming pool.

As/As  – You can compare two things together using these words from a conjunctions list.

• Her sneeze was  as  loud  as  a helicopter.

There are many other joining words that come in pairs. Here’s a correlative conjunction words list:

Need a quick break? Try out our paper checker , or our citation services for MLA and  APA format ! Next, a conjunctive adverbs list will be the icing on top when adding words to the main conjunctions list. 

What’s Special About the Conjunctive Adverbs List?

The final conjunctions list to memorize contains adverbs. These adverbs join words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence just like words on your standard list of conjunctions can. Here are some example sentences containing words from the conjunctive adverbs list :

• Ted was a great student, in   addition  he was a wonderful student body president.
• Fred never missed a day of school;  as a result , he won a scholarship for perfect attendance.
• Even though Lisa is lactose intolerant,  still  she wanted an ice cream bar.

Finally, here’s a basic conjunctive adverbs list.

This adverbial conjunction list is by no means comprehensive, although it gives you a good foundation. Words on this l ist of conjunctions are also known as transition words . Try your best to memorize and don’t forget to use this as a guide when writing.

Now, you’re familiar with the different joining words. Are there any words that you don’t know the meaning of from the conjunctive adverb list ? If so, look up how to use each word and create sentence examples. With enough practice, you’ll be able to use these words like a professional writer!

Try answering these practice questions to review what you learned above.

Conjunction List Review Questions

• How many different categories are there in a conjunction list ?
• Create a sentence using a word from the list of subordinating conjunctions.
• Create a sentence using a word from the coordinating conjunctions list .
• Why is it handy to have a conjunction list when writing?

After you’ve finished, review your answers with a friend and see if you can test each other on words from a conjunction words list.  

Published March 7, 2019. Updated May 22, 2020.

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Starting Sentences with Conjunctions: Is It Okay? (with Examples)

Conjunctions are words like and, but, and yet that link words, phrases, and clauses together.

While it's not grammatically incorrect to start sentences with conjunctions , you should decide whether joining the two sentences is actually more effective. Consider the purpose of your sentences.

Sometimes, you'll want to separate the sentences to make a dramatic point. But if you're not trying to make a point and your ideas are closely linked, try joining the sentences instead.

Here's an example:

• My mom wanted to go to the store. But my dad wanted to go home.

Both sentences are grammatically correct. However, the ideas are so closely linked that it makes more sense to join them than to have them in two separate sentences:

• My mom wanted to go to the store, but my dad wanted to go home.

We recommend that less than 30% of your sentences should start with conjunctions.

When to Use Conjunction Starts

Conjunction starts are great at adding dramatic effect. By using a period to separate the two ideas, you're adding emphasis to the relationship between them:

• I ate an entire tray of macaroni and cheese, then an entire bowl of mashed potatoes for dinner. And I was still hungry for dessert!

The conjunction start emphasizes the subject's surprise at eating so much.

Using a conjunction at the start of your sentence creates a different feeling for your reader. As the writer, it's your job to decide when to deploy your conjunction starts. Keep them in your back pocket as a tool to add dramatic emphasis, but don't overuse them or you'll make your writing feel disjointed and melodramatic.

Common Questions about Starting Sentences with Conjunctions: Is It Okay? (with Examples)

Can i start my sentences with a conjunction, learn more about sentence starts:.

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Connecting ideas

How to connect ideas at the sentence and paragraph level in academic writing.

What is cohesion?

Cohesion refers to the way we use vocabulary and grammatical structures to make connections between the ideas within a text. It provides flow and sequence to your work and helps make your paragraphs clear for the reader.

Cohesive devices are words and expressions that show relationships between parts of text and ideas, such as cause and effect, time, addition, or comparison and contrast.

Watch the video to learn how to make your ideas link together and your narrative flow.

How can I create cohesion?

Let’s look at types of cohesive devices.

Linking words

Academic writing usually deals with complex ideas. To enable the reader to follow your thoughts, they need to be clearly and smoothly linked. To join ideas and sentences, we use a number of connecting words and phrases. For example:

Additionally, and, also, apart from this, as well (as), in addition, moreover, further, furthermore.

If, in that case, provided that, unless.

Correspondingly, equally, for the same reason, in a similar manner, in comparison, in the same way, on the one hand, similarly.

Alternatively, although, but, conversely, despite, even so, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, on the contrary, contrary to, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the other hand, rather, still, though, yet, whereas, while.

Again, in fact, interestingly, indeed, it should be noted (that), more important(ly), most importantly, to repeat, (un)fortunately, unquestionably.

A further instance of this is..., an example of this is…, for example, for instance, such as, thus, as follows.

In other words, more simply, namely, simply put, to put it differently / another way, such as, that is.

A / the consequence of, because, due to, for, the effect of …, since, the result of …

Accordingly, as a result/consequence, consequently, for this reason, hence, so, therefore, thus.

Admittedly, although, clearly though, even though, however, indeed, obviously.

As a rule, for the most part, generally, in general, in most cases, normally, on the whole, usually.

First, second, third (etc), next, before, earlier, finally, following, given the above, later, meanwhile, subsequently, then, to conclude, while.

A note about presentation and style

Check a usage guide for exact rules for punctuation. Many introductory phrases have a comma after them. For example, 'therefore,' and 'in addition,'.

Referring backwards

To avoid repeating words and phrases many times, we use cohesive devices to make references to other parts of a text, such as:

• Pronouns: it, he, she, his, her, they, their
• Demonstratives: this, that, these, those
• Articles: a, the
• Adverbs: previously, subsequently

The Australian prime minister has called an early election. The date was selected to coincide with the start of the Olympic Games. This decision was based on the views of his ministerial advisors, who predicted that voter confidence in the government’s policies would be strong at this time . As previously mentioned , decisions on the timing of elections are based on predictions of voter confidence in the existing government.

In the example above:

• The date - refers back to the election date
• This decision - refers to the prime minister calling an early election
• His - refers to the Australian prime minister
• this time - refers to the start of the Olympic Games
• As previously mentioned - refers to all of the earlier information about the selection of election dates

Looking forward

We often use words and phrases to highlight new information for the reader. This helps make a smooth transition from one point to another. Such phrases include: the following, as follows, below, next, subsequently .

The following dates have been proposed for the forthcoming election: September 8, September 15 and 3 October.

The next issue to be discussed is the influence of the media on voter confidence in the government.

Connecting paragraphs

Apart from using the linking words / phrases above, showing the link between paragraphs could involve writing ‘hand-holding’ sentences. These are sentences that link back to the ideas of the previous paragraph. For instance, when outlining the positive and negative issues about a topic you could use the following:

Example (from beginning of previous paragraph):

• One of the main advantages of X is…

When you are ready to move your discussion to the negative issues, you could write one of the following as a paragraph opener:

• Having considered the positive effects of X, negative issues may now need to be taken into account…
• Despite the positive effects outlined above, negative issues also need to be considered...

It is always important to make paragraphs part of a coherent whole text; they must not remain isolated units.

Checking for paragraph links in your own work

When you are editing your next written assignment, ask yourself the following questions as you read through your work (Gillett, Hammond, & Martala, 2009):

• Does the start of my paragraph give my reader enough information about what the paragraph will be about?
• Does my paragraph add to or elaborate on a point made previously and, if so, have I made this explicit with an appropriate linking word / phrase?
• Does my paragraph introduce a completely new point or a different viewpoint to before and, if so, have I explicitly shown this with a suitable connective?
• Have I used similar connectives repeatedly? If yes, try to vary them using the above list.

Strategies to improve cohesion

• Select a piece of writing, preferably from a textbook or journal article, from your area of study.
• Choose a paragraph and underline or highlight all the different forms of cohesion used, such as using linking words, referring backwards, looking forwards or adding synonyms.
• Which forms are the most common?
• Choose a couple that you think are effective and practice using them in your own writing.
• Try to use a variety of ways to show the relationship between your ideas.

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IELTS Grammar: Conjunctions in writing

Using conjunctions in ielts writing..

Updated April 7th 2022

For a high band score in IELTS writing, it is important to use conjunctions effectively. This shows the examiner you can use grammar precisely and helps the flow of your essay, which makes it easier for the reader. A conjunction is a word used to connect clauses or sentences. These are marked under grammar and are directly linked to coherence and cohesion in the IELTS marking criteria.

If you make mistakes with conjunctions it will affect coherence and cohesion. In fact ‘complex sentences’ can be constructed using conjunctions. Let’s take a look at some of these and how to use them correctly.

Below are some example sentences.

1. though, although, even though, nonetheless

‘Being a parent is often exhausting and stressful, but it is very rewarding.’

Now I can rewrite this sentence in 4 different ways and keep the same meaning.

1. Although being a parent is exhausting and stressful, it is very rewarding. 2. It is very rewarding being a parent. Nonetheless, it is also exhausting and stressful. 3. Being a parent is exhausting and stressful, although it is very rewarding. 4. Even though being a parent is exhausting and stressful, it is very rewarding.

Though, although and even though have the same meaning. Usually ‘though’ is at the end of the sentence.

Punctuation is important here, check the position of the commas in the sentences. ‘Nonetheless’ usually starts a sentence and there is a comma straight after it.

2. in spite of, despite, although

‘Studying overseas is expensive, but it is important for our career.’

1. Although studying overseas is expensive , it is important for our career. 2. In spite of the cost, studying overseas is important for our career. 3. Despite the cost , studying overseas is important for our career.

All the sentences above have the same meaning, after ‘in spite of ‘or ‘despite’ we need to use a noun or a pronoun . So I changed the word ‘expensive’ to ‘the cost’ ,  also notice the position of the comma. Punctuation is a key point here too.

3. unless, providing, as long as

‘The government should take steps to tackle pollution or the environment will not be able to recover’

1. Unless the government takes steps to stop pollution, the environment will not be able to recover. 2. Providing that the government takes steps to stop pollution, the environment will recover. 3. As long as the government takes steps to stop pollution, the environment will recover. 4. The environment will recover, as long as the government takes steps to stop pollution.

In the first example using ‘unless’  the second part of the sentence is negative. Unless is quite often used to give a warning. Usually unless is used to mean ‘except if’ ..for example: ‘ You can’t use this gym unless you have membership.’

Again, punctuation is important and the position of the commas.

4. while, whereas, on the other hand

(very useful in an overview in IELTS writing task 1)

The number of people who ate fast food once a month accounted for the highest percentage. The everyday category showed the lowest figure s

1. The number of people who ate fast food once a month accounted for the highest percentage, whereas the everyday category showed the lowest figure s 2. The number of people who ate fast food once a month accounted for the highest percentage. On the other hand, the everyday category showed the lowest figure s 3. The number of people who ate fast food once a month accounted for the highest percentage, while the everyday category showed the lowest figure s

This sentence was taken from a task 1 academic bar chart to show contrast. These conjunctions are important to use in the overview in task 1 to compare high and low figures. Notice that I use a comma with ‘whereas’ and ‘while’

Using conjunctions for opinions and conclusions

When writing your essay, it is a very good idea to contrast your own opinion with a conjunction. These examples below are taken from various essays such as crime, health, and technology.

• Even though long prison terms are considered the best way to tackle crime, I think that there are other alternatives to bringing the crime rate down.
• Many people would say that obesity is caused by fast food. However, I believe that it is caused mainly by lack of exercise.
• Recently there is a concern that robots will take people’s jobs. In my opinion, as long as people update their skills, such as learning something that can only be done by humans, then this should not be a major cause for concern

Conjunctions in the conclusion

Here are 2 examples of conclusions that have the same meaning taken from a technology essay.

• To conclude, even though there are concerns that people will lose jobs in the future to robots, I hold the view that as long as people can update their skills and offer a service that robots cannot do, then there should not be a cause for concern.
• To sum up, despite concerns that people will lose their jobs in the future to robots, I believe that as long as people can update their skills and offer a service that robots cannot do, then there should not be a cause for concern.

Now it’s your turn to practice.

Can you add some conjunctions to these sentences? the words you need are in the brackets. You may need to add words and make changes to the sentence structure too.

a) Studying IELTS can be stressful but it opens up career opportunities worldwide. (Even though)

b) I occasionally go to the movies but I prefer to download movies from the internet.  (although)

c) My city is really overcrowded and expensive to live in but it has some great restaurants and bars. (Nonetheless)

d) Pollution in developing countries is a serious issue. If action is taken to sort the problem out then this can be solved. (Providing)

e) Pollution in big cities is a serious issue these days. If the problem is not tackled soon it will get out of control. (unless)

f) Obesity is a growing issue in developed countries but there is also a growing awareness of healthy eating. (despite)

g) Overall, Bobs Bakery saw upward trends in yearly income earned. Johns Bakery, which had started with the highest revenue, ended with the lowest earnings by the end of the period. (whereas)

a) Even though studying IELTS can be stressful, it opens up career opportunities worldwide.

b) I occasionally go to the movies; although I prefer to download movies from the internet.

c) My city is really overcrowded and expensive to live in. Nonetheless, it has some great restaurants and bars.

d) Pollution in developing countries is a serious issue. Providing action is taken to tackle the problem, then this can be solved.

e) Pollution in big cities is a serious issue these days. Unless the problem is tackled soon, it will get out of control.

f) Obesity is a growing issue in developed countries. Despite this , there is also a growing awareness of healthy eating.

g) Overall, Bobs Bakery saw upward trends in yearly income earned, whereas Johns Bakery, which had started with the highest revenue, ended with the lowest earnings by the end of the period.

In example c the word Nonetheless starts a new sentence. In example f   I added this to despite. In example g I used whereas in a writing task 1 overview to show contrast

Conclusions practice:  fill in the gaps with conjunctions you have learned in this lesson and then finish the conclusion with your own opinion.

a) In conclusion, ____________ many people say that living in the countryside is boring, my view is that…….

b) To sum up, it is clear that longer prison sentences are appropriate for serious criminals. ___________ I believe that…

c) To conclude, ________ the downsides to using the internet to communicate and develop relationships, I think that….

These are just possible answers, your answer may vary.

a) In conclusion, even though many people say that living in the countryside is boring, my view is that it is far less stressful than living in a big city.

b) To sum up, it is obvious that longer prison sentences are appropriate for serious criminals. Nonetheless, I believe that there are other alternatives to bringing the crime rate down.

c) To conclude, despite the downsides of using the internet to communicate and develop relationships, I think that the chance to interact with others worldwide can lead to positive outcomes for most people.

In each case, I have used a conjunction and then given my opinion.

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