Conjunctions Connecting Words

1. What is a Conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases or clauses to make meaningful sentences.

WORD + CONJUNCTION + WORD
CLAUSE + CONJUNCTION + CLAUSE

Riya and Priya are friends.

I was tired, but I continued working.

I stayed at home because it was raining.

2. Types of Conjunctions

⚖️

Coordinating

Join two grammatically equal words, phrases or independent clauses.

Equal importance

Example: He is poor but honest.

🌳

Subordinating

Join a dependent clause to an independent clause.

Main + Dependent

Example: I stayed home because I was ill.

3. Coordinating Conjunctions – FANBOYS

Remember the seven coordinating conjunctions using the mnemonic FANBOYS.

F – A – N – B – O – Y – S

F – FOR

Shows reason or explanation.

He must be tired, for he has worked all day.

A – AND

Adds information.

She sings and dances.

N – NOR

Adds a negative alternative.

He did not call, nor did he write.

B – BUT

Shows contrast.

He is poor but honest.

O – OR

Shows choice or alternative.

Hurry up or you will miss the bus.

Y – YET

Shows unexpected contrast.

It was difficult, yet she succeeded.

S – SO

Shows result.

It was raining, so we stayed inside.

4. Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show relationships between ideas.

⏰

TIME

when, while, before, after, until, since, as soon as

Example: Call me when you arrive.

❓

REASON / CAUSE

because, since, as

Example: She was absent because she was ill.

☔

CONDITION

if, unless, provided that, as long as

Example: If you work hard, you will succeed.

↔️

CONTRAST / CONCESSION

although, though, even though, whereas, while

Example: Although he was tired, he continued.

🎯

PURPOSE

so that, in order that

Example: Study hard so that you can pass.

📈

COMPARISON

than, as…as

Example: She is taller than her brother.

📊

RESULT / DEGREE

so…that, such…that

Example: He was so weak that he could not walk.

🛡️

PLACE

where, wherever

Example: Sit where you like.

5. Visual Sentence Structure

Coordinating Conjunction

CLAUSE A 🟦 + BUT + 🟦 CLAUSE B

I wanted to play, but it was raining.

Both clauses can stand independently as complete sentences.

Subordinating Conjunction

🟨 DEPENDENT CLAUSE + 🟦 MAIN CLAUSE

Although it was raining, we played.

The dependent clause cannot normally stand alone as a complete sentence.

6. Important Punctuation Rules

Rule 1: Use a comma before FANBOYS when joining two independent clauses.
I was hungry, so I ate a sandwich.

Rule 2: When a subordinating clause comes first, use a comma after it.
Although he was tired, he continued working.

Rule 3: When the main clause comes first, a comma is usually not needed.
He continued working although he was tired.

Rule 4: Do not join two independent clauses with only a comma.
Incorrect: I was tired, I went to bed.
Correct: I was tired, so I went to bed.

7. Interactive Sentence Connector

Select a conjunction and observe how the relationship between ideas changes.

Choose a conjunction:

Riya is intelligent and hardworking.

AND adds information.

8. Mini Practice Test – Test Your Knowledge

Choose the correct conjunction for each sentence.

1. He is poor _____ honest. and but because

2. I stayed at home _____ I was ill. although because or

3. Hurry up _____ you will miss the train. or so although

4. _____ you work hard, you will succeed. when if but

5. _____ she was tired, she completed the work. because although and

6. Rahul _____ Amit are good friends. but and unless

7. It was raining, _____ we stayed indoors. because so nor

8. Call me _____ you reach the station. when but for

9. He neither smiled _____ spoke. or nor but

10. You cannot succeed _____ you work hard. unless although and