Conjunctions are connecting words. They join words, phrases, or sentences together. Without them, your English sounds choppy and disconnected. Think of conjunctions as the glue that holds your ideas together.
There are three main types of conjunctions. Each serves a different purpose.
Use these to connect words, phrases, or sentences of equal importance. Remember the acronym FANBOYS.
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| and | Addition | I bought apples and oranges. She is smart and hardworking. We walked to the park and had lunch there. He speaks English and Spanish fluently. Turn left at the light and you’ll see the bank. |
| but | Contrast | I wanted to go out, but it started raining. She is rich, but she is not happy. He studied hard, but he failed the test. I like coffee, but I don’t drink it at night. She is tired, but she keeps working. |
| or | Choice | Would you like tea or coffee? You can stay here or go with them. Call me tomorrow or send an email. Wear a jacket, or you’ll catch cold. Take the bus or walk — it’s up to you. |
| so | Result / Cause | It was raining, so we stayed inside. She studied hard, so she passed the exam. I was hungry, so I made a sandwich. He forgot his keys, so he couldn’t get in. The train was late, so we missed the meeting. |
| for | Reason (formal) | He didn’t go to work, for he was ill. She stayed home, for the weather was bad. They left early, for the movie started at 7. He didn’t answer, for he was asleep. We canceled the trip, for the hotel was full. |
| nor | Negative addition | She doesn’t like tea, nor does she like coffee. He didn’t call, nor did he text. I won’t eat meat, nor will I eat fish. They didn’t arrive on time, nor did they apologize. She isn’t angry, nor is she upset. |
| yet | Contrast (stronger than but) | She worked hard, yet she didn’t win. He is young, yet he is very wise. It’s raining, yet they’re playing outside. I told him twice, yet he still forgot. She has no money, yet she smiles every day. |
These introduce a dependent clause — an idea that cannot stand alone. They show time, reason, condition, contrast, or purpose.
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| because | Reason | I stayed home because I was sick. She cried because the movie was sad. He left early because the meeting ended. We won the game because we practiced hard. They didn’t come because the bus was late. |
| if | Condition | Call me if you need help. She will come if you invite her. We’ll go to the beach if it’s sunny. He won’t pass if he doesn’t study. Don’t leave if the door is open. |
| when | Time | I’ll call you when I get home. She smiled when she saw her baby. Turn off the lights when you leave. He fell asleep when the movie started. They left when the rain stopped. |
| while | Time (simultaneous action) | I read a book while she cooked dinner. He listened to music while he drove. She smiled while she was crying. They talked while waiting for the bus. I checked my phone while I was walking. |
| although | Contrast | She passed the test, although she didn’t study. He went to work, although he was sick. They bought the house, although it was expensive. She smiled, although she was tired. I like him, although he’s quiet. |
| since | Reason or Time | I haven’t seen her since last year. He’s been happy since he got the new job. I’ll wait here since you’re busy. She’s angry, since you didn’t call. We’ve known each other since childhood. |
| unless | Condition (unless = if not) | You won’t pass unless you study. Don’t go out unless you have a coat. She won’t help you unless you ask. He won’t agree unless you promise. They won’t arrive unless the train is on time. |
| until | Time (up to a point) | Wait here until I come back. She didn’t leave until 10 p.m. I won’t eat until you finish your homework. He slept until noon. They waited until the rain stopped. |
| after | Time | Call me after you finish work. She went home after the party. I’ll call you after I eat. He cleaned up after the guests left. We left after the movie ended. |
| before | Time | Wash your hands before you eat. She left before I arrived. Finish your homework before you watch TV. He called me before he left. Lock the door before you go to bed. |
| as | Reason or Time | He fell asleep as he was reading. She smiled as she opened the gift. As it was raining, we stayed inside. As I was walking, I saw a cat. He grew taller as he got older. |
| so that | Purpose | I saved money so that I could buy a car. She spoke slowly so that everyone could understand. He turned off the lights so that he could sleep. We left early so that we wouldn’t be late. She studied hard so that she could pass. |
| though | Contrast (same as although) | He passed the test, though he didn’t study. She went out, though it was cold. They were tired, though they kept walking. I like him, though he’s strange. It was expensive, though we bought it. |
| where | Place | This is the house where I grew up. Go where you feel safe. She works where the coffee is best. Find a place where you can sit. Let’s meet where the two streets cross. |
| because of | Reason (followed by noun) | We stayed home because of the storm. She was late because of traffic. He didn’t go because of his injury. The flight was canceled because of fog. They canceled the party because of the rain. |
| as soon as | Time (immediately after) | I’ll call you as soon as I arrive. She left as soon as the bell rang. He started working as soon as he got up. They danced as soon as the music began. Call me as soon as you know. |
| as long as | Condition (if this is true) | You can borrow my car as long as you return it. You can stay here as long as you’re quiet. I’ll help you as long as you try. She’ll wait for you as long as you’re not late. They’ll support you as long as you’re honest. |
| even if | Strong condition (unlikely) | I’ll go with you even if it rains. She’ll help you even if she’s tired. He’ll speak up even if he’s scared. We’ll finish the project even if we have to work all night. I’ll love you even if you make mistakes. |
| even though | Contrast (stronger than although) | She smiled, even though she was hurt. He went to work, even though he was sick. They stayed together, even though they argued often. I’ll keep trying, even though I keep failing. She didn’t complain, even though she was exhausted. |
| whenever | Time (every time) | Whenever I see her, she smiles. He calls me whenever he’s lonely. She drinks tea whenever she’s stressed. Whenever it rains, I stay home. Whenever you need help, just ask. |
| wherever | Place (any place) | You can sit wherever you like. She travels wherever she wants. I’ll follow you wherever you go. He finds peace wherever he is. Call me wherever you are. |
| whether | Choice (often with “or not”) | I don’t know whether she will come. He asked whether I needed help. It doesn’t matter whether you agree or not. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Do you know whether the store is open? |
These are the most common conjunctions in spoken and written English. Master these, and you’ll connect ideas naturally.
| Rank | Conjunction | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | and | I like tea and coffee. |
| 2 | but | She is rich but unhappy. |
| 3 | or | Would you like tea or juice? |
| 4 | because | I stayed home because I was sick. |
| 5 | so | It was late, so we left. |
| 6 | if | Call me if you need help. |
| 7 | when | I’ll call you when I get home. |
| 8 | while | She read while he cooked. |
| 9 | although | He passed, although he didn’t study. |
| 10 | since | I haven’t seen her since last year. |
| 11 | until | Wait here until I return. |
| 12 | after | Call me after dinner. |
| 13 | before | Wash your hands before eating. |
| 14 | as | She smiled as she opened the gift. |
| 15 | so that | I saved money so that I could travel. |
| 16 | though | She smiled, though she was tired. |
| 17 | where | This is the place where we met. |
| 18 | because of | We were late because of traffic. |
| 19 | as soon as | I’ll call you as soon as I arrive. |
| 20 | as long as | You can borrow it as long as you return it. |
| 21 | even if | I’ll go even if it rains. |
| 22 | even though | He came, even though he was sick. |
| 23 | whenever | She calls me whenever she’s bored. |
| 24 | wherever | You can sit wherever you want. |
| 25 | whether | I don’t know whether she’ll come. |
| 26 | nor | She doesn’t like tea, nor does she like coffee. |
| 27 | yet | He worked hard, yet he failed. |
| 28 | for | He didn’t come, for he was ill. |
| 29 | unless | You won’t pass unless you study. |
| 30 | both...and | She is both kind and intelligent. |
| 31 | either...or | You can have either tea or coffee. |
| 32 | neither...nor | He speaks neither French nor Spanish. |
| 33 | not only...but also | She is not only smart but also hardworking. |
| 34 | than | She is taller than her brother. |
| 35 | as...as | He is as tall as his father. |
| 36 | while | She read while he watched TV. |
| 37 | now that | Now that you’re here, let’s begin. |
| 38 | in case | Take an umbrella in case it rains. |
| 39 | provided that | You can go out, provided that you finish your work. |
| 40 | so as to | He woke up early so as to catch the train. |
| 41 | in order that | She studied hard in order that she could pass. |
| 42 | as if | He acted as if he didn’t care. |
| 43 | as though | She looked as though she had seen a ghost. |
| 44 | whereas | He loves coffee, whereas she prefers tea. |
| 45 | consequently | He didn’t study; consequently, he failed. |
| 46 | therefore | It rained all day; therefore, we stayed inside. |
| 47 | hence | He was late; hence, he missed the meeting. |
| 48 | likewise | She enjoys hiking; likewise, he loves the outdoors. |
| 49 | moreover | She is intelligent; moreover, she is very kind. |
| 50 | however | It was expensive; however, she bought it. |