Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that link related parts of a sentence.

Conjunctions That Introduce Subordinate Clauses
There are two kinds of words that introduce subordinate clauses:

1. Subordinating conjunctions
after	because	in order that	than	whenever
although	before	now that	though	where
as	even if	once	till	whereas
as if	even though	rather than	unless	wherever
as long as	if	since	until	while
as though	if only	so that	when

2. Relative pronouns
which	what	who (whose, whom)
that	whatever	whoever (whomever)

Conjunctions That Create Compound Sentences
There are two kinds of conjunctions that create compound sentences:

Coordinating conjunctions
There are only seven words in English that can join two sentences together:
for
and
nor
but (Just remember "FANBOYS")
or
yet
so

Note: When one of these coordinating conjunctions joins two sentences, a comma must precede the conjunction.
Correlative conjunctions

Both...and
     Ex: Both Tylenol and massage therapy can relieve stress headaches.

Neither...nor
     Ex: The procedure requires neither heat application nor a cold compress.

Not only...but also
     Ex: The migraine sufferer learns not only to recognize the causes of headaches but also to control those causes.

Either...or
     Ex: Either the safety kit in the bathroom or the one in the kitchen will have the medicine you need.

Not...but
     Ex: It is not a sales invoice but a shipping invoice.

     (Note: sage is divided on whether or not one should place a comma before but in structures such as this one. We will use a comma before but only when but joins two independent clauses.)

Whether...or
     Ex: Whether you attend the meeting or not will determine your participation in the program.

As...as
     Ex: She is as bright as her older sister.

Remember:
Conjunctions are words that introduce subordinate clauses or create compound sentences.

Page last updated June 26, 2023.