Conjunction Rules

Most simply, conjunctions connect things. They allow us to make longer more complex sentences.
There are four types of conjunctions: 1. A coordinating conjunction, which connects a word, a phrase or a clause of equal
weight. 2. A subordinating conjunction, which only connects clauses and in doing so creates a subordinate clause. 3. A
correlative conjunction, which operates in pairs to connect sentence elements. 4. A conjunctive adverb, which creates a
relationship between ideas in the sentence.

1. Coordinating: A coordinating conjunction is a single word that joins words, phrases, and clauses of equal
grammatical construction. Examples are knives and spoons (noun & noun), run or shout (verb & verb), down the
stairs and around the house (prepositional phrase & prepositional phrase). Coordinating conjunctions also join
complete sentences, i.e., independent clauses. These conjunctions also imbue equal grammatical weight, or rank,
to the joined elements.
2. Correlative: A correlative conjunction is a paired conjunction that, like a coordinating conjunction, joins elements
of equal grammatical construction. Correlative conjunctions also imbue equal grammatical weight to elements
they join. These paired conjunctions join equal elements within an independent clause, forming compound
elements, i.e., subject & subject, verb & verb, object & object, etc., and they can also join independent clauses.
3. Subordinating: A subordinating conjunction is an adverb that introduces a subordinate adverbial clause and joins
the subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence. The idea, or proposition, expressed by the subordinate clause
has less grammatical weight (rank or importance) than the idea expressed by the main clause. Subordinating
conjunctions are not true conjunctions; their name, however, derives from their ability to join clauses. Most
subordinators are a single word, but some are composed of two or more words, i.e., a phrase.
4. Conjunctive adverb: A conjunctive adverb is an adverb or adverbial phrase that joins two independent clauses
(like a coordinating conjunction) while providing adverbial emphasis. Conjunctive adverbs are not considered
true conjunctions.
Additionally, conjunctive adverbs sometimes function as connectors (something like a bridge) between words or
phrases, linking entire sentences or paragraphs. Conjunctive adverbs performing this function are called
transitional elements or transitions.
Finally, an adverbial word or phrase can function as an expletive, also called a function word or functor. An
expletive is an exclamatory word inserted into a sentence that adds nothing to the meaning of the sentence;
furthermore, these words have no grammatical function within a sentence.

Coordinating Conjunctions
There are 7 coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet and So. FANBOYS.
For (used to mean seeing that, since or because) and Yet (used to mean though, still, or nevertheless) can only
join clauses.
The word FOR is most often used as a preposition, of course, but it does serve, on rare occasions, as a
coordinating conjunction. "For" has serious sequential implications and in its use the order of thoughts is
more important than it is, say, with because or since. Its function is to introduce the reason for the preceding
clause: Johnthoughthehadagoodchancetogetthejob,forhisfatherwasonthecompany'sboardof
trustees.
The word YET functions sometimes as an adverb and has several meanings: in addition, even, still,
eventually, and so soon as now. It also functions as a coordinating conjunction meaning something like
"nevertheless" or "but." The word yet seems to carry an element of distinctiveness that but can seldom
register.Johnplaysbasketballwell,yethisfavoritesportisbadminton.Thevisitorscomplainedloudly
abouttheheat,yettheycontinuedtoplaygolfeveryday.Yet is sometimes combined with other
conjunctions, but or and. It would not be unusual to see and yet in sentences like the ones above. This usage is
acceptable.
And: Joins two propositions (ideas)
One idea is chronologically sequential to another."Tashondasentinherapplicationsandwaitedbythephone
foraresponse."
One idea is the result of another. "Willieheardtheweatherreportandpromptlyboardeduphishouse."
 One idea is in contrast to another.(frequentlyreplacedbybutinthisusage):"JuanitaisbrilliantandShalimar
hasapleasantpersonality.
An element of surprise.(sometimesreplacedbyyetinthisusage):"Hartfordisarichcityandsuffersfrom
manysymptomsofurbanblight."
One clause is dependent upon another, conditionally. (usuallythefirstclauseisanimperative):"Useyour
creditcardsfrequentlyandyou'llsoonfindyourselfdeepindebt."
A kind of comment on the first clause."Charliebecameaddictedtogamblingandthatsurprisednoone
whoknewhim."
Nor: Used in negative expressions. Its most common use is as the little brother in the correlative pair, neither-nor
(see below):
Heisneithersanenorbrilliant.ThatisneitherwhatIsaidnorwhatImeant.
But: Joins two contrastive propositions (ideas)
A contrast that is unexpected in light of the first clause."Joeylostafortuneinthestockmarket,buthestill
seemsabletolivequitecomfortably."
Anaffirmativesensewhatthefirstpartofthesentenceimpliedinanegativeway(sometimesreplacedbyon
thecontrary):"Theclubneverinvestedfoolishly,butusedtheservicesofasageinvestmentcounselor."
Toconnecttwoideaswiththemeaningof"withtheexceptionof"(andthenthesecondwordtakesoveras
subject):"EverybodybutGoldenbreathistryingoutfortheteam."
Or: Joins two alternative propositions (ideas)
Tosuggestthatonlyonepossibilitycanberealized,excludingoneortheother:"Youcanstudyhardforthis
examoryoucanfail."
Tosuggesttheinclusivecombinationofalternatives:"Wecanbroilchickenonthegrilltonight,orwecanjust
eatleftovers.
Tosuggestarefinementofthefirstclause:"SmithCollegeisthepremierallwomen'scollegeinthecountry,
orsoitseemstomostSmithCollegealumnae."
Tosuggestarestatementor"correction"ofthefirstpartofthesentence:"Therearenorattlesnakesinthis
canyon,orsoourguidetellsus."
Tosuggestanegativecondition:"TheNewHampshirestatemottoistherathergrim"Livefreeordie."
Tosuggestanegativealternativewithouttheuseofanimperative(seeuseofandabove):"Theymust
approvehispoliticalstyleortheywouldn'tkeepelectinghimmayor."
So: First idea (the cause) results in second idea (the effect).
Be careful of the conjunction SO. Sometimes it can connect two independent clauses along with a comma, but
sometimes it can't. For instance, in this sentence, SotoisnottheonlyOlympicathleteinhisfamily,soarehis
brother,sister,andhisUncleChet.
where the word so means "as well" or "in addition," most careful writers would use a semicolon between the
two independent clauses. In the following sentence, where so is acting like a minor-league "therefore," the
conjunction and the comma are adequate to the task: Sotohasalwaysbeennervousinlargegatherings,soit
isnosurprisethatheavoidscrowdsofhisadoringfans.
Sometimes, at the beginning of a sentence, so will act as a kind of summing up device or transition, and when
it does, it is often set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma:So,thesheriffperemptorilyremoved
thechildfromthecustodyofhisparents.
Joins elements of equal grammatical construction, e.g., two or more nouns, verbs, phrases, or clauses.
Can join two or more independent clauses into a single sentence.
When doing this, they are also joining propositions, or ideas, expressed in each independent clause.
Lend equal weight, or importance, to the grammatical elements they join.

Then is a conjunction, but it is not one of the little conjunctions listed at the top of this page. We can use the FANBOYS conjunctions
to connect two independent clauses; usually, they will be accompanied (preceded) by a comma. Too many students think that then
works the same way: "Caesar invaded Gaul, then he turned his attention to England." You can tell the difference between then and a
coordinating conjunction by trying to move the word around in the sentence. We can write "he then turned his attention to England";
"he turned his attention, then, to England"; he turned his attention to England then." The word can move around within the clause. Try
that with a conjunction, and you will quickly see that the conjunction cannot move around. "Caesar invaded Gaul, and then he turned
his attention to England." The word and is stuck exactly there and cannot move like then, which is more like an adverbial conjunction
(or conjunctive adverb see below) than a coordinating conjunction. Our original sentence in this paragraph "Caesar invaded
Gaul, then he turned his attention to England" is a comma splice, a faulty sentence construction in which a comma tries to hold
together two independent clauses all by itself: the comma needs a coordinating conjunction to help out, and the word then simply
doesn't work that way.
Correlative Conjunctions
A correlative conjunction is essentially a coordinate conjunction used in pairs. A correlative conjunction gets its name
from the fact that it is a paired conjunction that has a reciprocal or complementary relationship. Correlative conjunctions
always join grammatically equal elements, e.g., noun & noun, adjective & adjective, phrase & phrase, clause & clause,
etc. Additionally, correlative conjunctions lend equal weight to joined elements. The joined elements are of equal
importance; one is never subordinate to the other. It's interesting to note that the second word of each conjunctive pair is
always a coordinating conjunction.
Correlative conjunctions are essentially paired coordinating conjunctions. The meaning expressed by a sentence with
correlative conjunctions is basically the same as a sentence having a coordinating conjunction. The difference is only a
matter of emphasis, where the correlative conjunction reinforces the fact that there are two equal elements or ideas in the
sentence. Note that correlative conjunctions usually immediately precede the elements they join.

Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction is an adverb or adverbial phrase that introduces into a sentence a subordinate adverbial
clause, which functions to adverbially modify the main sentence clause or a part of the main sentence clause, usually the
main verb. Additionally, the subordinate clause also introduces a new idea, or proposition, into the sentence. The new
proposition expressed by the subordinate clause is said to carry less weight, or importance, than the idea expressed by the
main sentence clause. (More on propositions.)
We might also note that a subordinate adverbial clause modifies the main sentence clause by introducing one of the
following concepts into the main sentence clause: addition, cause & effect, comparison, concession, contrast, emphasis,
example, summary, or sequence. Many adverbial words and phrases can function as subordinating conjunctions; following
is a list of those frequently used in English. (More on subordinating conjunctions.)
after although as as if
as long as as though because before
even though if in order that provided that
rather than since so that than
though unless until when
whenever where whereas wherever
whether while as soon as
A subordinate conjunction is an adverb that introduces a subordinate adverbial clause into the main sentence, i.e.,
the main clause. Grammatically, a subordinate adverbial clause can modify an entire main clause or just a part of the main
clause, although it usually modifies a verb within the main clause. The subordinate adverbial clause will always answer
the question when, where, how, why, under what condition, or to what degree an action occurred or a situation existed
regarding the word or words it modifies.
In addition to its function as modifier, a subordinate clause also introduces (adds) its own idea, or proposition, to
the proposition expressed by the main clause, which contains the core idea expressed by the sentence. The idea expressed
by the subordinate clause is ancillary to that expressed by the main clause. The idea, or proposition, expressed by the
subordinate clause is sometimes described as being lesser in rank to that of the main proposition. Although their name
suggests otherwise, subordinating conjunctions are not true conjunctions; but the name derives from their ability to
incorporate into a sentence another idea in addition to the idea expressed by the main clause.
Because many subordinating conjunctions can also function as other parts of speech, these adverbs are identified
by function alone. All subordinating conjunctions are adverbs or adverbial phrases, but not all adverbs or adverbial
phrases are subordinating conjunctions. Some adverbs can, for instance, function as conjunctive adverbs, which include
transitions and adverbial expletives.
 Conjunctive Adverb
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS, TRANSITIONS, & ADVERBIAL EXPLETIVES
Words classified as conjunctive adverbs include transitions and expletives, transitions and expletives simply being
forms of the conjunctive adverb.
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
A conjunctive adverb, also called an adverbial conjunction, is an adverb or adverbial phrase that joins two independent
clauses (like a coordinating conjunction) while providing adverbial emphasis to the second clause. The new construction
always results in a compound or compound-complex sentence structure. Although their name suggests otherwise,
conjunctive adverbs are not considered true conjunctions, even though these adverbs join independent clauses. Below
conjunctive adverbs appear in highlighted text.
Dennis went to the symphony; consequently, he was suspended from the band.
Barry seems very friendly; incidentally, he's the same sign as I am.
Our horse is a great jumper; on the other hand, he isn't very good in the races.
Max appears to be a level-headed guy; still, there's something about him that's just not right.
A conjunctive adverb usually modifies the main verb in the second clause, answering when? where? how? why? under
what condition? or to what degree? an action occurred or a situation existed. Additionally, as with other adverbs,
conjunctive adverbs typically express a semantic relationship between clauses, sentences, or paragraphs involving the
concept of addition, cause & effect, comparison, concession, contrast, emphasis, example, summary, or sequence.

The conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover, nevertheless, consequently, as a result are used to create complex
relationships between ideas. Refer to the section on Coherence: Transitions Between Ideas for an extensive list of
conjunctive adverbs categorized according to their various uses and for some advice on their application within sentences
(including punctuation issues).
 Great Summery of Conjunctions
Print separately
As their name implies, conjunctions join together elements of thought: words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.
Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest kind, and they denote equality of relationship between the ideas they join.
Their relatives, correlative conjunctions, not only denote equality, but they also make the joining tighter and more
emphatic.

Coordinating Conjunctions Correlative Conjunctions

and both . . . and

but not only . . . but also
or either . . . or
nor neither . . . nor
for whether . . . or
so just as . . . so too
yet

Examples:

John and Sally built a fish pond.

The train was late, and Tom was tired.
Just as the smell of baking brought back memories, so too did the taste of the cider.

Coordinating and correlative conjunctions are great when two ideas are of the same importance, but many times one idea
is more important than another. Subordinating conjunctions allow a writer to show which idea is more and which is less
important. The idea in the main clause is the more important, while the idea in the subordinate clause (made subordinate
by the subordinating conjunction) is less important. The subordinate clause supplies a time, reason, condition, and so on
for the main clause.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Time Reason Concession Place Condition Manner

after because although where if as if

before since though wherever unless as though
since so that even though until how
when in order that in case
whenever while provided that
while why assuming that
until even if
as
as . . . as
once
Examples:
Sally steamed the corn while Fred fried the steaks.
After the rain stopped, the dog ran into the mud to play.
The snowman melted because the sun came out.
Even though John fell asleep, the telephone salesman kept talking.

Conjunctive adverbs make up an even stronger category of conjunctions. They show logical relationships between two
independent sentences, between sections of paragraphs, or between entire paragraphs. Conjunctive adverbs are so
emphatic that they should be used sparingly; however, when used appropriately, they can be quite effective.
 Conjunctive Adverbs

also consequently
hence furthermore
however nevertheless
still instead
likewise moreover
otherwise then
therefore thus
conversely meanwhile
rather accordingly
Examples:
If the salmon is grilled, I will have that; otherwise, I might have the chicken.
James has a garage full of wood working tools. He might, however, have some metric wrenches, too.
I do not recommend that you play with a stick of dynamite lit at both ends. Rather, a ham sandwich would be
better for you.

Relative pronouns and relative adjectives are also used to join ideas together by creating adjective or noun clauses,
which allow a writer to create smoother, more flowing and effective sentences by combining ideas.

Relative Pronouns and Relative Adjectives

who which
whom that
whose what
whoever whichever
whomever whatever
Examples:
This is the man who sells peanuts.
Tell me what you want.
Hers is an idea that I would like to think through.
The shirts, which are in the laundry, will need ironing.

Adverbs of time, place, and sequence are actually transitions of logic, but as such they also have conjunctive force,
because they connect ideas by showing a time relationship.

Adverbs of Time, Place, and Sequence

earlier then first

next now second
lastly soon third
later here fourth
before there eventually
after today tomorrow
Examples:
The twilight glides away. Soon night will awake.
First, get a pad and pencil. Next, find a quiet place to think.

Expletives are closely related to conjunctive adverbs. The "official" line on expletives is that they convey no meaning of
their own but instead serve only to emphasize the statement to which they are attached. As such, then, they technically do
not show a logical relationship like time or cause between ideas, and that fact prevents them from being true-blue
conjunctive adverbs. But it could be argued that expletives create a relationship of emphasis between ideas: this new idea
is important in light of what preceded it. Indeed, that is why they are included here.

Expletives

of course in fact to be sure

indeed I think without doubt
naturally it seems for all that
after all in brief on the whole
in short clearly in any event
I hope I suppose importantly
at least assuredly certainly
remarkably definitely naturally
Examples:
The flashlight hit the floor and broke into a hundred pieces. At least there was a candle in the room.
They all began to use appropriate expletives in their writing. They were convinced, I suppose, by the excellent
examples.
The conjunction list has left the building. On the whole, I hope you enjoyed it.