Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. They help show addition, contrast, cause and effect, choices, time, condition, and other relationships between ideas.
The three main types are coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions. Start with What Are Conjunctions?, then explore the detailed lessons and conjunction lists below.
A conjunction is a word that connects ideas, words, or clauses in a sentence. This page gives you a clear list of conjunctions used in English, along with short meanings and examples to help you see how each one works…
A conjunctive adverb is a word or adverbial expression that shows how one sentence or independent clause relates to another. Common examples include however, therefore, moreover, meanwhile, and otherwise. Unlike a coordinating conjunction, a conjunctive adverb does not grammatically join…
Every sentence needs balance. Some ideas can stand on their own, while others rely on something else to feel complete. Subordinating conjunctions are the words that make this connection possible. They link an idea that cannot stand alone to an idea that…
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that have equal grammatical status. The seven commonly taught coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so, remembered through the acronym FANBOYS. These words are short, but the conjunction you…
Yes, you can start a sentence with because. Because is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a reason. When it comes first, it begins a dependent clause that normally needs a main clause to complete the sentence. Because the path was…
Yes, you can start a sentence with yet. As a coordinating conjunction, yet introduces a contrast that is often surprising or unexpected. It connects the new statement to an earlier idea. Yet may also function as an adverb in expressions…
Yes, you can start a sentence with so. So may introduce a result, draw a conclusion, or connect the sentence to an earlier part of the discussion. It may also function as a discourse marker in conversation. Whether a comma…
Yes, you can start a sentence with and. And is a coordinating conjunction that may add information, continue a sequence, reinforce an earlier point, or introduce a related question or command. A sentence beginning with and should normally express a…
Yes, you can start a sentence with although. Although is a subordinating conjunction that introduces contrast or concession. It often presents a fact that makes the result in the main clause seem surprising or unexpected. A full although-clause normally needs…
Yes, you can start a sentence with or. Or is a coordinating conjunction that may introduce another choice, possibility, explanation, or question. It also appears in expressions such as or rather and or else. Sentence-initial or usually connects to an…
Yes, you can start a sentence with but. But is a coordinating conjunction that introduces contrast, limitation, correction, or an unexpected difference. When it begins a sentence, it connects the new statement to an idea that came before it. A…
Yes, you can start a sentence with a conjunction. Words such as and, but, or, so, and yet may begin a sentence when they connect the new sentence to an earlier idea. Subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, if, and…