Conjunctions

There are different types of conjunctions. Each type connects different parts of a sentence in different ways. Below are some types explained:

A. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

Some examples of coordinating conjunctions are:

• and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so

These conjunctions join things that are similar in type. That means they can:

• join word with word
• join phrase with phrase
• join clause with clause

How coordinating conjunctions work:

• They usually make loose (simple) connections between parts.
• They sit in the middle of the two things they are joining.
• They do not come at the beginning or end of what they are connecting.

Punctuation rules:

• When a coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, do not use a comma before the conjunction.
• When a coordinating conjunction joins three or more words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, use commas between them.
• When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses (complete sentences), they form a compound sentence.

In this case, use a comma before the conjunction.

B. CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS

Some conjunctions are used in pairs. These are called Correlative Conjunctions.

Examples include:

• either…or
• neither…nor
• both…and
• not only…but also

These paired conjunctions always connect similar types of words. That means:

• They join a verb with another verb
• Or a noun with another noun

Example:

• Either John or David is coming.
• She is not only smart but also kind.

D. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

Subordinating conjunctions are words that join two clauses in a sentence.

They connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.

Some common subordinating conjunctions include:

• after, although, as, because, before, even if, even though
• if, in case, in order that, once, since, so that, than
• that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever
• where, wherever, whether, while, why, as if, as soon as, provided that, lest, supposing that

How they work:

Subordinating conjunctions make one clause depend on another.

The clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction cannot stand alone. It needs the main (independent) clause to complete the meaning.

They can be used in two positions:

1. At the beginning of the sentence:

• Example: Because it is raining, we took an umbrella.

2. In the middle of the sentence:

• Example: We took an umbrella because it is raining.

Subordinating vs. Coordinating Conjunctions

• Coordinating conjunctions make a loose connection between two equal parts.

• Example: It is raining, so we took an umbrella.

• Subordinating conjunctions make a tight connection. One part depends on the other.

• Example: Because it is raining, we took an umbrella.

Punctuation Rules:

• If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma after it.

• Example: If you study, you will pass.

• If the dependent clause comes after the main clause, no comma is needed.

• Example: You will pass if you study.

C. CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS

Some adverbs work like conjunctions. They help to connect two complete sentences (independent clauses). These are called Conjunctive Adverbs.

Here are some common conjunctive adverbs and their meanings:

Conjunctive Adverb →Meaning

• after all →in the end / overall
• also →too
• as a result →because of this
• besides →in addition
• consequently →so, therefore
• finally →at last
• for example →to give an example
• furthermore →also, in addition
• hence →so, because of this
• however →but
• in addition →also
• in fact →actually
• incidentally →by the way
• indeed →truly
• instead →in place of
• likewise →similarly
• meanwhile →at the same time
• moreover →also
• next →then
• nonetheless →still, even so
• on the contrary →opposite idea
• on the other hand →another point of view
• otherwise →if not
• still →yet
• then →after that
• therefore →so
• thus →in this way
• nevertheless →even though that happened

Punctuation Rule:

When a conjunctive adverb comes in the middle of a sentence, it is usually written after a semicolon (;) and followed by a comma (,).

Example:

• He was tired; however, he kept working.
• She didn’t study; therefore, she failed the test.

Yes, a relative pronoun can function like a conjunction, because it joins a dependent (relative) clause to a main clause.

Detailed Explanation:

✅ What is a relative pronoun?

A relative pronoun introduces a relative clause and connects it to a noun or pronoun in the main clause.

Common relative pronouns:

• who (for people)
• whom (object form of who)
• which (for things or animals)
• that (for people or things)
• whose (shows possession)

✅ Why it's like a conjunction:

A conjunction connects two parts of a sentence.

A relative pronoun does the same — it joins the main clause with the relative clause and refers to a noun in the main clause.

📘 Examples:

The boy who is wearing a red shirt is my brother.

→ "Who" connects the clause "who is wearing a red shirt" to "the boy."

This is the book that I told you about.

→ "That" connects the clause "that I told you about" to "the book."

✅ So, what’s the difference?

• A conjunction (like because, and, but, if) joins clauses but does not replace a noun.
• A relative pronoun joins clauses and also acts as a subject or object in the relative clause.

🔍 Final Thought:

Relative pronouns are not conjunctions by type, but they do the job of connecting clauses, so in function, yes — they act like conjunctions.

Yes, a relative adverb can function as a conjunction — because it joins a dependent (relative) clause to a main clause, just like conjunctions do.

🔍 What is a Relative Adverb?

A relative adverb introduces a relative clause and relates to time, place, or reason.

Common relative adverbs include:

• where → refers to place
• when → refers to time
• why → refers to reason

✅ Why it's like a conjunction:

Relative adverbs connect a dependent clause to a main clause — just like subordinating conjunctions — but they also replace an adverb in the clause.

📘 Examples:

This is the house where I was born.

→ "Where I was born" is a relative clause. "Where" connects it to "the house" and refers to the place.

✅ Functions like a conjunction.

I remember the day when we met.

→ "When" connects the clause "we met" to "the day" and refers to the time.

Do you know the reason why she left?

→ "Why" connects the clause "she left" to "the reason" and tells us the cause.

🧠 Key Point:

✅ Conclusion:

Yes, relative adverbs (like when, where, why) function like conjunctions because they join a dependent clause to a main clause.

However, they also play an adverbial role inside the relative clause.

Examples of Conjunctions in Sentences

Let’s look at how different conjunctions are used in sentences.

1. That

• I am glad that you have passed.

(I am happy because you passed.)

• He knows that you will come again.

(He understands you will return.)

• Who is the man that can do it?

(Who is the person who can do this job?)

• We eat that we may live.

(We eat so that we can live.)

• That he will come is certain.

(It is sure that he will come.)

2. Who, Which, What

• I know the man who came here.

(I know the person who came here.)

• This is the book which is now out of print.

(This book is no longer printed.)

• I do not know what they want.

(I don’t understand what they are asking for.)

3. How, Where, When, While

• He wanted to know how I would go.

(He asked in what way I would travel.)

• He wanted to know where I would go.

(He asked what place I would visit.)

• He wanted to know when I would go.

(He asked at what time I would go.)

• You should not run in the field while it rains.

(Don’t run in the field during rain.)

4. Before, After

• The patient died after the doctor had come.

(The patient died later, after the doctor arrived.)

• The patient had died before the doctor came.

(The patient died earlier, before the doctor arrived.)

• I shall come out after finishing my work.

(I will come out when my work is done.)

• I shall come out before finishing my work.

(I will come out first, then finish my work later.)

• I shall come out after I have finished my work.

(I will go out when my work is finished.)

5. As, Since, Because, For

• As he was ill, he did not attend school.

(He didn’t go to school because he was sick.)

• He did not attend school because he was ill.

(He was sick, so he didn’t go to school.)

• He did not attend school since he was ill.

(He didn’t go to school as he was unwell.)

• He did not attend school for he was ill.

(He was sick; that’s why he didn’t go to school.)

6. Whereas

• Karim is very hardworking, whereas his brother is lazy.

(Karim works hard, but his brother does not.)

7. In order to, So that, That

• In order to learn English, you have to practise the four skills.

(To learn English, you need to practise reading, writing, speaking, and listening.)

• We eat so that we may live.

(We eat to stay alive.)

• We eat in order that we may live.

(We eat so we can live.)

• We eat that we may live.

(We eat to live.)

8. Although / Though / In spite of / But

• Though he is poor, he is honest.

(He has no money, but he is honest.)

• He is poor but honest.

(He has no money, yet he is honest.)

• In spite of his poverty, he is honest.

(Even though he is poor, he is honest.)

• In spite of his being poor, he is honest.

(Even though he is poor, he is still honest.)

9. Both…and / Not only…but also

• Rabindranath was both a poet and a dramatist.

(He was a poet and also wrote plays.)

• Rabindranath was not only a poet but also a dramatist.

(He was more than just a poet; he also wrote plays.)

• Both Rahim and Karim are industrious.

(Rahim and Karim both work hard.)

• Not only Rahim but also Karim are industrious.

(Rahim is hardworking, and Karim is too.)

• He will go both to Dhaka and to Savar.

(He will go to Dhaka and also to Savar.)

• He will go not only to Dhaka but also to Savar.

(He will visit Dhaka and also visit Savar.)

• He will both read and write.

(He will do reading and writing.)

• He will not only read but also write.

(He will read and also write.)

10. Either…or

• Either Rahim or Karim is industrious.

(Only one of them is hardworking.)

• He will go either to Dhaka or to Savar.

(He will visit one place, not both.)

• He will either read or write.

(He will do one of the two things.)

• Either Rahim or his brothers have done it.

(Rahim or his brothers did it—not sure who exactly.)

11. Neither…nor

• Neither Rahim nor Karim is industrious.

(Both are lazy.)

• He will go neither to Dhaka nor to Savar.

(He will not go to any of the two places.)

• He will neither read nor write.

(He will not do either activity.)

• I shall neither wait nor tell others to wait.

(I won’t wait or ask others to wait.)

• Neither he nor his friends are present now.

(No one is here—neither he nor his friends.)

12. Or

• Read or you will fail.

(If you don’t read, you will fail.)

• Do or die.

(Take action, or face failure/death.)

13. If, Whether

• If you read, you will learn.

(You will learn only if you read.)

• Stay here if he does not come.

(Wait here in case he doesn’t arrive.)

• I do not know whether he came.

(I am not sure if he came.)

14. Unless, Until, Till

• Unless you work hard, you cannot shine in life.

(If you don’t work hard, you won’t succeed.)

• Wait here until I return.

(Stay here till I come back.)

• They worked in the field till the sun set.

(They worked until the sun went down.)

15. Whoever

• Whoever you may be, I do not care for you.

(No matter who you are, I don’t care.)

16. Since (because, from the time when)

• It is a week since I came here.

(I came here one week ago.)

• A week has passed since I came here.

(Seven days have gone by after I came.)

• Since you are ill, you cannot go there.

(Because you are sick, you cannot go.)

• She has been reading since morning.

(She started reading in the morning and is still reading.)

• They have been absent since Monday.

(They have not been present from Monday until now.)

17. Than (used for comparison)

• Rahim is taller than Karim.

(Rahim’s height is more than Karim’s.)

18. As...as / So...as (comparison for similarity)

• Karim is not as tall as Rahim.

(Karim is shorter than Rahim.)

• Karim is not so tall as Rahim.

(Karim is also shorter than Rahim.)

19. Such...as (used to describe a rare or special thing)

• Such a kind man as Mohsin is rarely found.

(It is hard to find a kind person like Mohsin.)

20. Provided (on the condition that)

• You can stay here, provided you will not speak.

(You are allowed to stay only if you remain silent.)

21. Whatever (anything that)

• Let him do whatever he likes.

(Allow him to do anything he wants.)

22. As soon as = No sooner...than (immediate action)

• As soon as the teacher came, the students became quiet.

(The students became silent the moment the teacher entered.)

• No sooner had the teacher come than the students became quiet.

(The teacher came, and right away the students were quiet.)

23. Hardly...when / Scarcely...when (just after something happened)

• Hardly had we left our home when it began to rain.

(We just left home, and it started raining.)

• Scarcely had we left our home when it began to rain.

(Almost the same meaning – rain started just after we left.)

24. So...that (to such a degree that)

• He is so weak that he cannot walk.

(He is very weak, and that’s why he can’t walk.)

25. So long (as long as)

• God will bless us so long our purpose is honest.

(God will help us if we keep our purpose honest.)

26. But for (without)

• But for your help, I would have failed.

(If you had not helped me, I would have failed.)

27. As well as (and also)

• Rahim as well as Karim has come here.

(Both Rahim and Karim have come.)

28. Lest...should (to avoid something bad)

• Walk fast lest you should miss the train.

(Walk quickly so that you do not miss the train.)

29. As if / As though (looks like, seems like)

• He talks as if / as though he were mad.

(He talks like a crazy person.)

• He talks as if / as though he knew everything.

(He talks like he knows everything, but he may not.)

30. And (joining words or actions)

• Two and two make four.

• The girl fell down and began to cry.

(The girl fell, and then she started crying.)