LEARN ENGLISH!: What are conjunctions?

What are conjunctions?

A conjunction is a part of speech that joins two words, phrases or clauses together.
There are three types of conjunctions:

Coordinating Conjunctions Correlative Conjunctions Common Subordinating Conjunctions

and

but

or

nor

either...or

neither...nor

not only...but also

both...and

whether...or

after

before

although

though

even though

as much as

as long as

as soon as

because

since

so that

in order that

so

if

lest

even if

that

unless

until

when

where

whether

while

Coordinating Conjunctions	Correlative Conjunctions	Common Subordinating Conjunctions
and but or nor	either...or neither...nor not only...but also both...and whether...or	after before although though even though as much as as long as as soon as because since so that	in order that so if lest even if that unless until when where whether while

Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators, are conjunctions that connect two or more equal items.
Examples:

He plays tennis and soccer

He works quickly but accurately

You'd better do your homework, or you'll get a terrible grade.

Correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs.They work in pairs to coordinate two items. Examples of correlative conjunctions include both...and..., either...or, not only... but also...
Examples:

I didn't know that she can neither read nor write.

You can either walk to school or take the bus.

Both Sara and James are invited to the party.

Whether you watch TV or do your homework is your decision.

Not only are they noisy but they are also lazy.

Subbordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, are conjunctions that join a dependent (or subordinating) clause to an independent (or main) clause.
Examples:

He reads the newspapers after he finishes work.

Even if you get the best grade in the writing test, you'll need to pass an oral test.

Although he is very old, he goes jogging every morning.

She didn't go to school because she was ill.

They went to bed since it was late

As soon as the teacher had arrived, they started work.