Definition of Conjunction

Three Types of Conjunctions

There are three different kinds of conjunctions—coordinating, subordinating, and correlative—each serving its own distinct purpose in sentence structure.

I. Coordinating Conjunctions

These join together words, phrases, and independent clauses. They turn short, choppy sentences into smoother, fuller lines. Remember them using the acronym "FANBOYS":

Example: The park is green, but it is greener in the winter.

II. Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and ties it to an independent clause. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, these can often start a sentence.

Example: If you leave, I will be lonely.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

III. Correlative Conjunctions

These are "tag-team" conjunctions that come in pairs. You must use both in different parts of a sentence to relate ideas (e.g., if a noun follows "both," a noun must follow "and").

Examples:

• Neither Alex nor Robin can play baseball.
• He ate not only the ice cream but also the chocolate.

Common Pairs: Both/And, Either/Or, Neither/Nor, Not only/But also, Whether/Or, No sooner/Than.