When you speak or write in English, you need to connect your ideas clearly. This is where connectors come in. Connectors (also called linking words) help you join sentences and show how ideas are related. Some connectors are conjunctions, like and, but, so, and because. These are very common and are often the first connectors learners use. With these words, we can:
- add information
- show contrast
- give a reason
- show a result
- talk about time or purpose
Check the infographic for real conjunctions.
However, not all connectors are conjunctions. Some are: adverbs, (like however, therefore) and other are prepositions or phrases (like because of, in spite of). Check below dedicated pages with all connectors per category:
In this page, you will learn the conjunctions, how to use them correctly, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Real Conjunctions – Table
| Function | Conjunctions | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Addition | and (coord) | I like coffee and I drink it every day. |
| Contrast | but (coord), yet (coord), although (subord), though (subord), whereas (subord) | I like coffee, but I don’t like tea. Although it was raining, we went out. |
| Comparison | than (subord) | This book is more interesting than that one. |
| Alternative | or (coord), nor (coord) | Do you want tea or coffee? He doesn’t drink coffee, nor does he drink tea. |
| Condition | if (subord), unless (subord) | If it rains, we will stay home. We won’t go out unless it stops raining. |
| Uncertainty | whether (subord), if (subord) | I don’t know whether she is coming. I’m not sure if he understands. |
| Purpose | so (coord), so that (subord) | I studied a lot, so I passed the exam. She speaks slowly so that everyone understands. |
| Time | when (subord), while (subord), before (subord), after (subord), until (subord), once (subord), since (subord), as (subord) | When I arrived, they started eating. I waited until he finished. |
| Cause / Reason | because (subord), since (subord), as (subord) | I stayed home because it was raining. Since you’re here, let’s start. |
| Manner | like (subord – informal), as (subord) | Do it like I showed you. Do it as I showed you. |
Coordinating vs. Subordinating (if you’re curious)
You might hear people talk about coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Here’s what that means:
- Coordinating (like and, but, or, so) connect two parts of a sentence that are equal—two ideas, two actions, or two items.
- Example: I like coffee and tea.
- Subordinating (like because, although, if, when) connect a main idea with a supporting idea. The supporting idea depends on the main one.
- Example: We stayed home because it was raining.
But remember: It’s more helpful to understand what conjunctions do (add, contrast, explain, etc.) than to worry about these grammar labels. Focus on how they connect ideas and how they help your sentences make sense.
Common Mistakes with Conjunctions
1. Using because and so in the same sentence
Wrong:
Because it was raining, so we stayed home.
Correct:
✔ Because it was raining, we stayed home.
✔ It was raining, so we stayed home.
Use one, not both. Because = reason. so = result.
2. Using although with but
Wrong:
Although it was raining, but we went out.
Correct:
✔ Although it was raining, we went out.
✔ It was raining, but we went out.
Same idea: don’t repeat the contrast.
3. Forgetting word order after subordinating conjunctions
Wrong:
Because was raining, we stayed home.
Correct:
Because it was raining, we stayed home.
After conjunctions like: because, although, if, when. You need a subject + verb.
4. Using and instead of but
Wrong:
I like coffee and I don’t like tea.
Correct:
I like coffee, but I don’t like tea.
- and = adds similar ideas
- but = shows contrast
5. Using unless incorrectly
Wrong:
Unless it rains, we will stay home.
(❗ meaning confusion)
Correct:
✔ If it rains, we will stay home.
✔ We will go out unless it rains.
unless = if not
Conjunctions Exercises
More Exercises: MyEnglishPage | ToLearnEnglish | LiveWorksheets | EnglishCurrent | UsingEnglish | EnglishGrammar | BritishCouncilTeens
Subordinating Conjunctions: StudiesAtUVic | TestEnglish1 | TestEnglish2 | LiveWorksheets
What’s next?