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There are two main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
Coordinators link units of equal status, which means they can link a word or phrase or clause to another word or phrase or clause. The main coordinating conjunctions are: and, or, but. The conjunctions and and but have both stressed and unstressed pronunciation.
Other coordinators: For(effect/cause), And(addition), Nor(addition of negatives), But(contrast), Or(alternative), Yet(contrast), so(cause/effect).
Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used at the beginning of subordinate clauses. Some examples of these conjunctions are; although, after, before, because, how, if, once, since, so that, until, unless, when etc.
Apart from these we have correlative conjunctions.
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join words, phrases, or clauses. The correlative conjunctions are either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also, whether…or.
Examples
My uncle is not only a doctor but also a pharmacist.
All of these clothes are either too small or worn out.
Either Monica will bring drinks, or she will bring brownies.
Correlative conjunctions are stronger than coordinating conjunctions and emphasize the relationship between the ideas being joined. Notice the difference in the following sentences:
Cats and dogs make good pets.
Both cats and dogs make good pets.
Ron or Davie found my bicycle.
Either Ron or Davie found my bicycle.
Conjunctive Adverbs
A conjunctive adverb, adverbial conjunction, or subordinating adverb is an adverb that connects two clauses by converting the clause it introduces into an adverbial modifier of the verb in the main clause.
Example:
He loved her mother with all his heart; however, he knew he could not be with her.
I cleaned my room; then I went to the store.
I cleaned my room, then I went to the store.
Some common English conjunctive adverbs are: accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, hence, however, in addition, in fact, incidentally, indeed, instead, lately, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, now, otherwise, rather, similarly, since, still, subsequently, then, thereby, therefore, thus …
Exercises
A. Complete each sentence using the subordinating conjunction from the parenthesis:
1. I visit the Grand Canyon _________ I go to Arizona. (once, whenever, wherever)
2. This is the place _________ we stayed last time we visited. (where, when, how)
3. _________ you win first place, you will receive a prize. (wherever, if, unless)
4. You won’t pass the test _________ you study. (when, if, unless)
5. I could not get a seat, _________ I came early. (as, though, when)
6. We are leaving Wednesday _________ or not it rains. (if, whether, though)
7. Pay attention to your work _________ you will not make mistakes. (so that, unless, or)
8. The musicians delivered a rousing performance _________ they had rehearsed often. (though, as, once)
9. She’s honest _________ everyone trusts her. (if, so, when)
10. Write this down _________ you forget. (or, when, lest)
B. Complete each sentence using the correct correlative conjunction pair from the parenthesis:
1. I plan to take my vacation _________ in June _________ in July. (whether / or, either / or, as / if)
2. _________ I’m feeling happy _________ sad, I try to keep a positive attitude. (either / or, whether / or, when / I’m)
3. _________ had I taken my shoes off _________ I found out we had to leave again. (no sooner / than, rather / than, whether / or)
4. _________ only is dark chocolate delicious, _________ it can be healthy. (whether / or, not / but, just as / so)
5. _________ I have salad for dinner, _____________________I can have ice cream for dessert. (if /then, when / than, whether / or)
6. _________ flowers _________ trees grow _________ during warm weather. (not only / or, both / and, not / but)
7. _________ do we enjoy summer vacation, _________ we _________ enjoy winter break. (whether / or, not only / but also, either / or)
8. Calculus is _________ easy _________ difficult _________ (not / but, both / and, either / or)
9. It’s _________ going to rain _________ snow tonight. (as / if, either / or, as / as)
10. Savory flavors are _________ sweet _________ sour. (often / and, neither / nor, both / and)
C. Complete each sentence using the correct coordinating conjunction from the parenthesis:
1. My car has a radio _________ a CD player. (but, or, and)
2. Sharon hates to listen to rap music, _________ will she tolerate heavy metal. (but, nor, or)
3. Carol wanted to drive to Colorado, _________ Bill insisted that they fly. (and, or, but)
4. I’m afraid of heights, _________ I appreciate the view from the top of this building. (and, yet, nor)
5. I have to be on time, _________ my boss will be annoyed if I’m late. (and, nor, for)
6. Do you like chocolate _________ vanilla ice cream better? (or, nor, and)
7. I have to go to work at six, _________ I’m waking up at four. (but, so, yet)
8. I was on time, _________ everyone else was late. (so, but, for)
9. Nadia doesn’t like to drive, _________ she takes the bus everywhere. (but, yet, so)
10. Our trip to the museum was interesting, _________ there were several new artifacts on display. (but, for, yet)
D. Complete each sentence using the correct coordinating conjunctive adverb from the parenthesis:
1. Bianca wore her rain boots; _________, her feet stayed dry during the storm. (however, therefore, on the other hand)
2. I love the color red; _________, this shade seems a little too bright. (therefore, nonetheless, in fact)
3. You have to be on time; _________, you’ll miss the train. (nonetheless, however, otherwise)
4. Teresa likes to read; _________, her sister Julia prefers to watch TV. (however, in contrast, again)
5. She really wanted to eat ice cream; _________, she had a salad. (however, likewise, instead)
6. We were working hard; _________, Jill and Jerry were lounging by the pool. (meanwhile, instead, therefore)
7. He is a weak leader; _________, he has plenty of supporters. (otherwise, moreover, nevertheless)
8. She has an incredible voice; _________, she will go far in her music career. (otherwise, undoubtedly, similarly)
9. Natalie wanted to make pie but didn’t have apples; _________, she decided to bake a cake. (therefore, namely, in contrast)
10. We had hoped to go to Spain; _________, we ended up in France. (otherwise, instead, again)
