Conjunctions (Basic Connectors) 🔗

1️⃣ What are Conjunctions?

A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. Conjunctions are essential because they help create clear and more complex sentences by linking ideas together.

Examples:

and
but
or
because
so

2️⃣ Types of Conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect two equal parts of a sentence (words, phrases, or independent clauses). There are 7 main coordinating conjunctions:

FANBOYS is a helpful acronym to remember them:

For (reason)
And (addition)
Nor (negative choice)
But (contrast)
Or (alternative)
Yet (contrast)
So (result)

✅ Examples:

I like coffee and tea. ☕
He wanted to go swimming, but it was raining. 🌧️
Would you like tea or coffee? 🍵
She couldn’t study, so she went to bed early. 😴

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect an independent clause (a complete thought) to a dependent clause (an incomplete thought).

✅ Examples:

Because: I stayed home because it was raining. 🌧️
Although: Although he was tired, he went to work. 💼
If: I will go if you come with me. 👫
While: He listened to music while studying. 🎶📚

📌 Note: The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. For example, “Because it was raining” is incomplete. It needs the independent clause to make sense: “Because it was raining, I stayed home.”

3. Correlative Conjunctions

These conjunctions work in pairs to connect words, phrases, or clauses.

✅ Examples:

Either… or: You can either call me or send me a message. 📞✉️
Neither… nor: Neither John nor Mike attended the party. 🎉
Not only… but also: She is not only a talented singer, but also a skilled dancer. 💃🎤
Both… and: Both Sarah and Emma are coming to the concert. 🎶

3️⃣ When to Use Conjunctions

1. Using “And” (Addition)

We use and to add information or ideas together.

I like apples and oranges. 🍎🍊
She enjoys reading and writing. ✍️📖

2. Using “But” (Contrast)

We use but to show contrast or opposition between two ideas.

I want to go to the beach, but it’s raining. 🌧️
He is very tall, but she is short. 👦👧

3. Using “Or” (Alternative)

We use or to present a choice or an alternative between two things.

Do you want tea or coffee? 🍵☕
You can eat the cake now, or you can save it for later. 🍰

4. Using “Because” (Reason)

We use because to explain the reason behind something.

I stayed home because I was feeling sick. 🤒
She passed the exam because she studied hard. 📚

5. Using “So” (Result)

We use so to show the result or effect of an action.

He studied hard, so he passed the test. 📝
It was raining, so we stayed inside. 🌧️

4️⃣ Common Mistakes with Conjunctions

❌ Wrong: I want to go to the park and it is raining.
✅ Correct: I want to go to the park, but it is raining.

❌ Wrong: He eats vegetables, because he wants to stay healthy.
✅ Correct: He eats vegetables because he wants to stay healthy.

❌ Wrong: Neither she wants to go, or he wants to go.
✅ Correct: Neither she nor he wants to go.

5️⃣ Practice Sentences

Fill in the blanks with the correct conjunction:

I want to visit Paris, __ I don’t have enough money. (but/so)
He likes swimming __ he doesn’t like running. (and/but)
We can go to the beach __ go hiking. (or/so)
She couldn’t come to the party __ she was feeling unwell. (because/so)
__ he was tired, he kept working. (Although/And)

Here are the answers! ✅

I want to visit Paris, but I don’t have enough money. 💸
He likes swimming but he doesn’t like running. 🏊‍♂️🏃‍♂️
We can go to the beach or go hiking. 🏖️🥾
She couldn’t come to the party because she was feeling unwell. 🤒
Although he was tired, he kept working. 💼