🔤 Grammar Guide: Conjunctions
Joining words, phrases, clauses, and sentence parts clearly
Introduction | Common Sentence Errors | Nouns | Pronouns | Verbs | Modifiers | Prepositions | Conjunctions | Glossary and Resources
Conjunctions are connecting words. They join words, phrases, clauses, or sentence parts.
Common conjunctions include and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. Other conjunctions include because, although, while, when, if, unless, and since.
Conjunctions help readers understand how ideas relate to one another.
Conjunctions often work with punctuation. For guidance on commas, semicolons, and related punctuation choices, see the punctuation entries in Garbl’s Editorial Style and Usage Guide.
Using conjunctions clearly
Use conjunctions to show how ideas connect.
Examples:
The proposal was long, but the summary was clear.
The council delayed the vote because members needed more information.
The agency will hold a hearing if the rule changes.
Joining equal sentence parts
Use conjunctions such as and, but, and or to join parts of a sentence that follow the same pattern. For example, join nouns with nouns, adjectives with adjectives, verbs with verbs, and phrases with phrases.
This matching structure is called parallel structure. It helps readers follow lists, comparisons, and repeated sentence patterns.
Problem:
The guide should be clear, useful, and help readers write better.
Better:
The guide should be clear, useful, and helpful.
The guide should explain grammar clearly, give useful examples, and help readers write better.
The original sentence joins two adjectives, clear and useful, with a verb phrase, help readers write better. The better sentences make the joined parts match.
Using because, although, when, and if clearly
Conjunctions such as because, although, when, and if often begin dependent clauses. A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought by itself.
Problem:
Because the meeting lasted three hours.
Better:
Because the meeting lasted three hours, the vote was delayed.
The vote was delayed because the meeting lasted three hours.
Problem:
Although the proposal had strong support.
Better:
Although the proposal had strong support, the council delayed the vote.
The proposal had strong support, but the council delayed the vote.
Hint: When a sentence begins with because, although, when, or if, make sure the sentence finishes the thought.
Choosing the right conjunction
Different conjunctions show different relationships. Choose the one that matches the meaning.
Problem:
The proposal was controversial, and the council approved it unanimously.
Better:
The proposal was controversial, but the council approved it unanimously.
Use conjunctions carefully:
Use and to add similar ideas.
Use but or yet to show contrast.
Use because to show a reason.
Use so to show a result.
Introduction | Common Sentence Errors | Nouns | Pronouns | Verbs | Modifiers | Prepositions | Conjunctions | Glossary and Resources