Conjunctions are small words with a big role. They connect words, phrases, and clauses to form clear, complete sentences. Words like and, but, because, although, and therefore help ideas flow smoothly, showing relationships such as addition, contrast, cause, or time.
This list of conjunctions includes the most common words used to join ideas in English. Each conjunction is explained with examples to help you see how it works in sentences. The list covers four main types: coordinating, subordinating, correlative, and conjunctive adverbs.
List of Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. There are seven in total and can be remembered by the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
For — shows reason or purpose
Examples:
- She took an early train, for she wanted to reach the venue before traffic started.
- The meeting was canceled, for most members were attending a conference out of town.
And — adds one idea to another
Examples:
- The café serves fresh pastries and offers free Wi-Fi for customers.
- He updated the report and shared the revised version with the entire team.
Nor — joins two negative ideas
Examples:
- She didn’t reply to the invitation, nor did she attend the ceremony.
- The film wasn’t entertaining, nor was it informative.
But — shows contrast between ideas
Examples:
- The design looked simple, but the details revealed expert craftsmanship.
- He was tired, but he stayed late to help his colleagues finish the project.
Or — offers a choice or alternative
Examples:
- You can submit your feedback online or hand in a printed copy.
- Should we start the presentation now or wait until the director arrives?
Yet — introduces an unexpected result
Examples:
- The task seemed easy, yet it required hours of calculation.
- She was nervous before the speech, yet her delivery was calm and confident.
So — shows result or consequence
Examples:
- The company met its sales target early, so bonuses were distributed in June.
- Traffic was heavy, so they decided to take the metro instead.
List of Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing how the two ideas relate. They help form complex sentences where one idea depends on another for meaning.
Below are common subordinating conjunctions grouped by function, each with clear examples.
Time — after, before, while, when, until, once, as soon as
Examples:
- The discussion continued until everyone reached an agreement.
- Call me as soon as you land at the airport.
Cause or Reason — because, since, as, now that
Examples:
- The seminar was postponed because the guest speaker was ill.
- We’ll start the project next week since the approvals just came in.
Contrast — although, though, whereas, even though
Examples:
- The restaurant is small, although the food is excellent.
- Whereas most candidates focused on experience, she highlighted her creativity.
Condition — if, unless, provided that, in case
Examples:
- We’ll go hiking if the weather stays clear.
- You can access the document provided that you log in with your official account.
Purpose or Result — so that, in order that, such that
Examples:
- He left early so that he could avoid the evening rush hour.
- The room was arranged such that everyone had a clear view of the screen.
Comparison — as, than
Examples:
- She works as hard as anyone in the department.
- This version runs faster than the one released last year.
Place — where, wherever
Examples:
- You’ll find good coffee shops wherever you go in this city.
- The new branch will open where customer demand is highest.
List of Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect equal grammatical elements, such as two nouns, verbs, or clauses. They make sentences sound balanced and coordinated.
Below are common correlative conjunctions with their meanings and examples.
Both … And — adds or combines ideas
Examples:
- The campaign was praised for both its creativity and its social impact.
- She is both diligent and detail-oriented when managing projects.
Either … Or — shows a choice between options
Examples:
- You can either attend the online session or join in person tomorrow.
- The issue lies either in the software or in the configuration settings.
Neither … Nor — joins two negative ideas
Examples:
- He is neither qualified nor experienced enough for this technical role.
- The proposal pleased neither the board nor the investors.
Not Only … But Also — adds emphasis or contrast
Examples:
- The book is not only informative but also enjoyable to read.
- She’s not only fluent in Japanese but also certified as a translator.
Whether … Or — expresses alternatives or uncertainty
Examples:
- They haven’t decided whether to expand the business or open a new branch.
- We’ll proceed whether the results are final or still under review.
As … As — compares equality or similarity
Examples:
- This model is as efficient as the latest release.
- The conference was as engaging as it was informative.
Such … That — shows cause and result
Examples:
- The presentation was such a success that the client extended the contract.
- She spoke with such confidence that everyone in the audience paid attention.
Hardly … When — shows quick or immediate sequence
Examples:
- They had hardly started the meeting when the fire alarm rang.
- I had hardly closed my laptop when another email arrived.
List of Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs connect independent clauses and show relationships such as contrast, result, sequence, or addition. They often appear between two complete thoughts and are usually preceded by a semicolon (;) and followed by a comma (,).
Below are some of the most common conjunctive adverbs, their meanings, and examples of how they’re used in sentences.
However — shows contrast or opposition
Examples:
- The instructions were clear; however, several participants still made errors.
- The film was long; however, it kept the audience engaged throughout.
Therefore — shows result or consequence
Examples:
- The experiment failed twice; therefore, the team redesigned the entire setup.
- He completed the training successfully; therefore, he was promoted to team lead.
Moreover — adds or reinforces information
Examples:
- The proposal is practical; moreover, it aligns with the company’s long-term goals.
- The data supports our claim; moreover, it highlights areas for future research.
Nevertheless — introduces an unexpected outcome
Examples:
- The road was blocked; nevertheless, the delivery arrived on time.
- She faced criticism; nevertheless, her confidence never wavered.
Consequently — shows cause and effect
Examples:
- The temperature dropped suddenly; consequently, the crops were damaged.
- The team ignored the warning signs; consequently, the project went over budget.
Meanwhile — shows simultaneous actions or events
Examples:
- The report was being reviewed; meanwhile, the team prepared the presentation.
- He waited in the lobby; meanwhile, she completed the registration process.
Otherwise — expresses an alternative or possible result
Examples:
- Please back up your files; otherwise, you may lose important data.
- You should complete the assignment by Friday; otherwise, it won’t be graded.
Furthermore — adds supportive or additional points
Examples:
- The policy is fair; furthermore, it benefits both employees and management.
- The museum offers free admission; furthermore, it hosts weekly workshops for students.
Thus — shows logical conclusion or summary
Examples:
- The data confirms our assumption; thus, the hypothesis stands validated.
- He didn’t meet the eligibility criteria; thus, his application was declined.
Instead — introduces an alternative idea
Examples:
- She didn’t accept the offer; instead, she applied for a fellowship abroad.
- We didn’t go out for dinner; instead, we cooked together at home.
