Conjunction (grammar) Facts for Kids

In grammar, a conjunction is a word that connects other words, phrases, or clauses. Think of conjunctions as the "glue" that holds parts of a sentence together.

For example, the word "and" is a conjunction in the sentence: "The truth of nature, and the power of giving interest."

Sometimes, a word can be a conjunction in one sentence and something else in another. For instance, after is a preposition in "He left after the fight." But it's a conjunction in "He left after they fought," because it connects two actions.

Conjunctions usually don't change their form. They help link ideas smoothly.

Using Commas with Conjunctions
History of the Word
Coordinating Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctions of Time
Subordinating Conjunctions
Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction
Images for kids
See also

Using Commas with Conjunctions

Commas are often used to separate different parts of a sentence, especially clauses. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

If a dependent clause (a clause that can't stand alone as a sentence) comes before an independent clause (a clause that can stand alone), you usually use a comma.

After I fed the cat, I brushed my clothes. (But: I brushed my clothes after I fed the cat.)

When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), a comma often goes before the conjunction.

Mary walked to the party, but she was unable to walk home.
Designer clothes are silly, and I can't afford them anyway.

However, if the second part of the sentence is not a full independent clause (it doesn't have its own subject), you usually don't use a comma.

Mary walked to the party but was unable to walk home.
I think designer clothes are silly and can't afford them anyway.

Sometimes, a comma can change the meaning of a sentence.

They took a walk on a cool day that was very relaxing. (The cool day was relaxing.)
They took a walk, on a cool day, that was very relaxing. (The walk was relaxing, and it happened on a cool day.)

Joining two independent sentences with just a comma and no conjunction is called a comma splice. Many people consider this a mistake in English. Instead, you should use a semicolon or a conjunction.

It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.

History of the Word

In the 1600s, parts of a conjunction were called conjuncts. The conjunction itself was sometimes called a connective. But these terms became less common over time. Later, in the 1800s, terms like coordinating conjunction and correlative conjunction became more popular.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that are equally important in a sentence. They are like a balanced scale, making sure both sides have the same weight.

In English, you can remember the most common ones with the acronym FANBOYS:

Here's what they do:

For – Shows a reason. ("They do not gamble or smoke, for they are ascetics.")
And – Adds information. ("They gamble, and they smoke.")
Nor – Shows a negative choice. ("They do not gamble, nor do they smoke.")
But – Shows a contrast. ("They gamble, but they don't smoke.")
Or – Shows a choice. ("Every day they gamble, or they smoke.")
Yet – Shows a strong contrast. ("They gamble, yet they don't smoke.")
So – Shows a result. ("He gambled well last night, so he smoked a cigar to celebrate.")

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to join words or groups of words that have equal importance in a sentence.

Here are some common pairs:

either...or
not only...but (also)
neither...nor
both...and
whether...or
just as...so
the...the
as...as
as much...as
no sooner...than
rather...than
not...but rather

Examples:

You either do your work or prepare for a trip to the office.
He is not only handsome but also brilliant.
Neither the basketball team nor the football team is doing well.
Both the cross country team and the swimming team are doing well.
You must decide whether you stay or you go.
Just as many Americans love basketball, so many Canadians love ice hockey.
The more you practice dribbling, the better you will be at it.
Football is as fast as hockey.
Football is as much an addiction as it is a sport.
No sooner did she learn to ski than the snow began to thaw.
I would rather swim than surf.
He donated money not to those in need, but rather to those who would benefit him.

Conjunctions of Time

These conjunctions tell us when something happens.

after	We'll do that after you do this.
as long as	That's fine as long as you agree to our conditions.
as soon as	We'll get to that as soon as we finish this.
by the time	He had left by the time you arrived.
long before	We'll be gone long before you arrive.
now that	We can get going now that they have left.
once	We'll have less to worry about once the boss leaves.
since	We haven't been able to upload our work since the network went down.
till	Please hold on till the server reboots.
until	We are waiting until you send us the confirmation.
when	They can do what they want when they want.
whenever	There is a good chance of rain whenever there are clouds in the sky.
while	I really appreciate you waiting while I finish up.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. They show how the two clauses relate to each other, like showing time, place, or cause.

Common subordinating conjunctions include: after, although, as, because, before, if, since, so that, unless, until, when, where, and while.

For example, in "He goes home because he is ill," "because" connects "he goes home" (independent) with "he is ill" (dependent).

Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

You might have been told in school not to start a sentence with words like and, but, or so. However, it's generally accepted that you can! Many good writers use conjunctions at the beginning of sentences to make their writing flow better.

For example:

"And now we have Facebook and Twitter and all those other platforms that take our daily doings and transform them into media."
"So any modern editor who is not paranoid is a fool."

It's also fine to start a sentence with because, as long as the main part of the sentence follows it.

"Because he was tired, he went to bed early."

Images for kids

A robot representing a helpful tool, like conjunctions in language.

Conjunction (grammar) facts for kids

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