A conjunction is a word or phrase used to connect words and sentences together to convey relationships. Using conjunctions can improve the flow and clarity of your paper.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Familiar coordinating conjunctions include these "Fanboys":
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
- When a coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses, it is often (but not always) accompanied by a comma.
- Dwayne wants to play college basketball, but he has had trouble keeping his grades up.
- When the two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction are nicely balanced or brief, many writers will omit the comma.
- Dwayne is great at making three-point shots but he isn't quick on his feet.
- A comma is also used when and is used to attach the last item of a serial list, although many writers will leave off that final comma.
- Dwayne spent his down time studying basic math, writing, and reading comprehension.
- When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect all the elements in a series, a comma is not used.
- Cats and dogs and fish are popular pet choices.
- A comma is also used with but when expressing a contrast.
- This is a useful tool, but it is difficult to use.
Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that comes at the beginning of a subordinate (or dependent) clause and establishes the relationship between the dependent clause and the rest of the sentence.
- Example without a subordinating conjunction:
The student was late to class.
The above example is a complete sentence, but we can add more details by using a subordinating conjunction. This will provide our reader with more information about the situation.
- Example without a subordinating conjunction:
The student was late to class because he overslept.
- after
- although
- as
- as if
- as long as
- as though
- because
- before
- even if
- even though
- if
- if only
- in order that
- now that
- once
- provided
- provided that
- rather than
- since
- so that
- than
- that
- though
- unless
- until
- when
- whenever
- where
- whereas
- wherever
- whether
- while
Conjunctive Adverbs
The conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that are used to connect one clause to another. They are also words and phrases used to show sequence, contrast, cause and effect, and other relationships.
Examples:
- Luke had car trouble this morning; therefore, he was late to work.
- Lucy studied really hard for her final exam. Because of this, she got an A in the course.
- accordingly
- actually
- additionally
- after this/that
- afterwards
- along with this/that
- also
- alternatively
- an hour later
- anyhow
- anyway
- briefly
- accordingly
- actually
- additionally
- after this/that
- afterwards
- along with this/that
- also
- alternatively
- an hour later
- anyhow
- anyway
- briefly
- by the way
- consequently
- despite this/that
- even so
- finally
- first(ly)
- for example
- for instance
- for this/that reason
- from now on in fact
- in other words
- in short
- in spite of this/that
- in such an event
- in sum
- in summary
- in the end
- in the meantime
- in the same way
- in this/that case
- on the contrary
- on the other hand
- otherwise
- previously
- rather
- second(ly)
- still
- suddenly
- that is
- then
- therefore
- arising out of this/that
- as a matter of fact
- as a result
- at any rate
- at last
- at the same time
- at this moment
- because of this/that
- before this/that
- besides (this/that)
- fourth
- furthermore
- hence
- henceforth
- hitherto
- however
- in addition
- in any case
- in conclusion
- in consequence
- in either case incidentally
- indeed
- instead (of this/that)
- just then
- likewise
- meanwhile
- moreover
- nevertheless
- next
- nonetheless
- on account of the fact that
- third(ly)
- this/that being so
- thus
- to resume
- to return to the point
- to summarize
- to this end
- up to now
- what’s more