Conjunctions

There are two kinds of conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. Conjunctive Adverbs are related to conjunctions. Let's start with the easy ones first. Coordinating conjunctions are easier because there are really only about six of them that you need to keep track of.

The most common Coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor. Some authorities include for, yet, and so in the list of coordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions can connect two independent clauses (complete sentences). When you use a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses, you must also use a comma. For example:

Sally likes to play basketball in the kitchen, but her sister prefers to play soccer in the den.
Walter wishes he could fly jet planes, but his father wants Walter to keep both feet on the ground.
Ashley won the election for president, and Susan won the race for queen.

Coordinating conjunctions also connect items in a series.

Sometimes coordinating conjunctions come paired with another word. In that case, they're called correlative conjunctions. The correlative conjunctions are both . . . and, either . . . or, neither . . . nor, not only . . . but also.

Subordinating Conjunctions let you join two ideas by making one idea more important than the other. For example, in the sentence: "I enjoy watching the Washington Wizards play basketball when they win by a large margin." The word "when" connects the first part of the sentence (I enjoy watching the Washington Wizards play basketball) to the last part (they win by a large margin). The rules for punctuating sentences that use subordinating conjunctions are a little more complicated than the rules for sentences with coordinating conjunctions. Sometimes you need a comma, and sometimes you don't. See the overview of clauses for more information.

Some examples of subordinating conjunctions follow:

Subordinating Conjunctions that show contrast: although, even though, though, whereas, while, rather than

Subordinating Conjunctions that show time, sequence: after, as, before, since, till, until, when, while

Subordinating Conjunctions that show cause: as, because, in order that, since, so that

Subordinating Conjunctions that show condition: if, unless, whether

(This organization of subordinating conjunctions comes from Teaching Grammar in Context by Constance Weaver.

There is at least one more wrinkle to this business of joining ideas. Conjunctive Adverbs also join ideas. And, of course, conjunctive adverbs are punctuated differently from Subordinating and Coordinating Conjunctions. Think of it this way. A conjunctive adverb isn't really strong enough to join two clauses by itself. Even a comma doesn't make a conjunctive adverb strong enough to join two clauses. A conjunctive adverb really needs a semi-colon or a period as an assistant.

Some common conjunctive adverbs follow: also, besides, instead, however, therefore, for example, for instance, in fact, then, thus.

Here is how Conjunctive Adverbs look in sentences.

Jordan decided not to slam the ball over Shaqu's head; instead, he hit a sweet pull-up jumper.

The truck driver tried to swerve at the last moment. However, the damage was done. Turnips littered the highway.

The turnips caused lots of problems for drivers. For example, a gentleman driving a pickup truck slid on the turnip mush and dented his fender.