You know what's funny? I used to hate conjunctions when I was learning English. My teacher would drone on about "joining words" while I stared out the window. Then I moved to London for university and wow – suddenly those little words became life-savers when I needed to explain why my train was late and my essay wasn't finished. Turns out conjunctions are the duct tape of language. They hold everything together when you're scrambling to communicate.
Let's cut through the grammar jargon. When people search for examples of conjunctions, they're not looking for textbook definitions. They want to know how to use them without sounding like a robot. Maybe they're writing an email, helping their kid with homework, or prepping for a test. Whatever the reason, you'll get real-world usage here – the good, the bad, and the confusing bits I've stumbled through myself.
What Exactly Do Conjunctions Do?
Think of conjunctions as traffic directors for your sentences. They tell ideas when to merge, when to take turns, and when one thought needs to yield to another. Without them, you'd sound like a caveman: "I hungry. Restaurant closed. I sad." With conjunctions: "I'm hungry but the restaurant is closed, so I'm sad." See the difference?
Last month, my neighbor asked me to check her job application letter. Every sentence started with "I". It read like a robot's manifesto. We added some conjunction examples – "while", "although", "since" – and suddenly it flowed like she was having a conversation. That's why this matters.
The Three Muscle Groups of Conjunctions
Grammarians love categories, but honestly? I group them by how they feel when you use them:
| Type | Purpose | Vibe Check |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating (FANBOYS) | Join equal ideas | Like adding LEGO blocks together |
| Subordinating | Make one idea depend on another | Setting up a cause-effect domino chain |
| Correlative | Tag-team words that work in pairs | A grammatical high-five |
I'll admit – when I first saw "correlative conjunctions", I thought it was some advanced calculus of English. Turns out we use them constantly without realizing. Ever say "both coffee and tea"? Congrats, you're already using them.
Your Go-To Conjunction Examples List
Forget memorizing endless lists. Here are the heavy hitters you'll actually encounter in the wild:
The FANBOYS Squad (Coordinating Conjunctions)
These seven workhorses do 90% of the heavy lifting. FANBOYS stands for: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. Clever acronym, but honestly? I only remember it because my college roommate wrote it on our fridge.
| Conjunction | Real-Life Usage | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| And | "I need milk and eggs" (adding similar things) | Don't overuse – becomes repetitive |
| But | "I like jazz, but not at 7 AM" (contrasting ideas) | Not interchangeable with "however" in all cases |
| Or | "Tea or coffee?" (offering choices) | Can create ambiguity: "Chicken or fish?" might mean both! |
| So | "It rained, so we stayed home" (showing result) | Informal writing only – use "therefore" for academic work |
The "nor" one trips people up. My Spanish friend always said "I don't like sushi nor pizza" until I pointed out it should be "I like neither sushi nor pizza" or "I don't like sushi or pizza". Small thing, but it makes a difference.
Subordinating Conjunctions: The Puppet Masters
These make one clause dependent on another. They're sneaky because they hide entire ideas inside sentences:
Pro Tip: If you can swap the clauses and the sentence still makes sense, it's coordinating. If not, you've got a subordinator. Compare:
"I stayed home because I was sick" (subordinating - can't swap)
"I was sick, so I stayed home" (coordinating - can swap clauses)
| Conjunction | Function | Real Example |
|---|---|---|
| Because | Gives reason | "We canceled the picnic because thunder rolled in" |
| Although | Shows contrast | "Although it cost £50, the jacket fell apart in a week" |
| If | Sets conditions | "Call me if your train gets delayed" |
| While | Indicates time/contrast | "While I understand your point, I disagree" (careful! This often confuses non-natives) |
That last one – "while" – caused actual arguments in my university study group. Does it mean "during the time that" or "despite the fact that"? Turns out both are correct, which feels like cheating.
Tag-Team Champions: Correlative Conjunctions
These duos create balance and emphasis. Mess up the pairing, and the sentence collapses like a bad soufflé:
- Either...or: Choosing between options
"Either finish your report or explain why it's late" - Neither...nor: Double negative exclusion
"Neither the manager nor the assistant was available" - Both...and: Inclusive combination
"The film was both hilarious and heartbreaking" - Not only...but also: Adding surprising information
"She not only fixed the bug but also improved the code"
I learned this the hard way during a presentation when I said "The project needs both more time or more staff." My boss visibly cringed. Should've been "both...and" or "either...or" – never mix them.
Why People Struggle With Conjunction Examples
Based on tutoring experience, here's where things usually go wrong:
The Comma Debacle
Comma rules with conjunctions cause endless headaches. Short version:
- Coordinating conjunctions: Use comma when joining two full sentences
"It's raining, and I forgot my umbrella." - Subordinating conjunctions: Comma only when subordinate clause comes first
"Because it's raining, I'll drive" vs "I'll drive because it's raining"
My personal nemesis? Starting sentences with "because." Teachers always said it was wrong. Turns out that's outdated nonsense – as long as you finish the thought: "Because the oven was hot, I used mitts." Perfectly legal.
Conjunction Overload
Ever read something like this?
"The meeting started late and we discussed budgets but the CEO wasn't there so we couldn't approve anything and..."
This is why people fall asleep in meetings. Too many conjunctions create a monotonous rhythm. Solution? Swap some for periods or semicolons.
False Friends: Conjunction Imposters
Some words masquerade as conjunctions but aren't:
| Imposter | Actual Role | Conjunction Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| However | Adverbial connector | But |
| Therefore | Adverbial connector | So |
| Besides | Preposition/adverb | And, also |
See how "however" and "therefore" require semicolons or periods? That's your clue they're not true conjunctions: "The data looks promising; however, more testing is needed." If you try "The data looks promising however more testing is needed" – instant grammar error.
Practical Exercises: Conjunctions in Action
Reading examples helps, but using them sticks. Try these:
Fix the Junction Malfunction:
1. Original: "I wanted to go hiking. It started raining."
Fixed: "I wanted to go hiking, but it started raining."
2. Original: "You finish the report. You can leave early."
Fixed: "If you finish the report, you can leave early."
3. Original: "The car is old. The car is reliable."
Fixed: "The car is old but reliable." OR "Although the car is old, it's reliable."
When I taught ESL classes, we'd play "Conjunction Expansion": Start with a simple sentence, then have students add clauses using specific conjunctions. "I drank coffee" becomes "I drank coffee because I was tired, but now I'm jittery, so I might switch to tea." Silly? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.
Advanced Maneuvers: Beyond Basic Conjunction Examples
Once you've mastered fundamentals, try these power moves:
The Conjunctive Adverb Shuffle
Words like "however," "moreover," and "consequently" connect ideas between sentences. They require special punctuation:
- "The design is innovative; however, production costs are prohibitive"
- "Sales increased by 15%; consequently, we're expanding the team"
Notice the semicolon? That's mandatory. Forget it and you create a comma splice – the grammar police will come knocking.
Parallel Structure with Correlatives
When using correlative pairs, both sides must match grammatically:
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| "She not only sings but also dancing" | "She not only sings but also dances" | Both verbs in base form |
| "Either call the office or an email" | "Either call the office or send an email" | Both actions are imperative verbs |
This precision matters. My friend botched a wedding toast saying the couple was "both kind and generosity." Twenty people winced simultaneously.
Your Conjunction Questions Answered
Can I start a sentence with a conjunction?
Yes, despite what stern teachers may have said. Starting with "and," "but," or "so" creates conversational flow. Just don't overdo it. Academic writing? Maybe limit this trick.
How many conjunctions should one sentence have?
Technically no limit, but readability tanks after two clauses. If your sentence needs multiple examples of conjunctions, consider splitting it. Your readers will thank you.
What's the difference between "because" and "since"?
Both show causation, but "since" can also indicate time: "Since I moved here" (time) vs "Since it's raining" (cause). In causal contexts, "because" is clearer.
Why do people confuse "then" and "than"?
"Than" is a conjunction for comparisons ("taller than me"), while "then" is an adverb for time ("go left then right"). They sound identical in rapid speech – a classic homophone trap.
Avoiding Conjunction Confusion
Some pairs constantly cause trouble. Here's my cheat sheet:
- While vs Whereas: Use "while" for simultaneous actions ("While I cook, you set the table"). Use "whereas" for direct contrasts ("London is rainy whereas Madrid is sunny").
- Since vs Because: Prefer "because" for clear causation. "Since" works but can create ambiguity.
- As vs Because: "As" can mean "while" or "because" – often unclear. Better to use "because" for causes and "while" for simultaneous actions.
I keep a sticky note on my monitor with these reminders. After emailing a client "As the budget is approved..." and having them ask "Do you mean 'while' or 'because'?" – I learned my lesson.
Wrapping It All Together
Conjunctions shouldn't induce panic. At their core, they're practical tools for clearer communication. The best approach? Read extensively, notice how writers connect ideas, and experiment in low-stakes writing like emails or journals.
Remember that time I mentioned at the beginning? When conjunctions saved me in London? Here's the fuller story: "My train broke down and my laptop died, so I couldn't finish the essay; however, the professor accepted it late because I emailed proof." Seven conjunctions in one messy life situation. They pulled their weight.
Start paying attention to conjunctions in everything you read – news articles, novels, cereal boxes. You'll spot patterns. And when you catch yourself naturally using "although" or "unless" correctly? That's the moment you've internalized them. No textbook needed.
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