Conjunction

Conjunctions are words that join clauses into sentences. Conjunctions not only join clauses together; they also show how the meanings of the two clauses are related.

Examples are: and, but, although, because, when, if etc.

• He is poor, but honest. (contrast)
• I wrote the letters and Ann posted them. (addition)
• He was happy because he got a rise. (cause)

Conjunctions are also used to join two or more words together.

• Two and two make four.
• Ann and Mary are good friends.
• Jack and Jill went up the hill.

There are two kinds of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating conjunctions join pairs of clauses that are grammatically independent of each other. Examples are: and, or, but or yet.

Other conjunctions, like because, when, that or which, are called subordinating conjunctions. A subordinating conjunction together with its following clause acts like a part of the other clause.

• I will phone you when I arrive.

Some conjunctions are made up of two or more words.

• I stayed an extra night so that I could see Alice.