Grammar Clinic: Part of Speech (Conjunction)

A conjunction is the part of speech that serves to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. The common conjunctions — and, but, for, or, nor, yet, and so — join the elements of a coordinate structure.

Types of Conjunctions

1. Subordinating Conjunction

A Subordinating Conjunction is a conjunction that introduces a dependent clause, joining it to a main clause. Also called a subordinator. Most subordinating conjunctions are single words (e.g., because, before, when). However, some subordinating conjunctions consist of more than one word (e.g., as long as, except that).

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

a. Cause
as
because
in order that
since
so that

b. Concession and Comparison
although
as
as though
even though
just as
though
whereas
while

c. Condition
even if
if
in case
provided that
unless

d. Place
where
wherever

e. Time
after
as soon as
as long as
before
once
still
till
until
when
whenever
while

Examples

While the State exists, there can be no freedom. When there is freedom, there will be no State.

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there would be peace.

I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible

2. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunction is a conjunction (such as and) that joins two similarly constructed and/or syntactically equal words or phrases or clauses within a sentence. The coordinating conjunctions are and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet. Compare with subordinating conjunctions, in some cases, as shown in the examples below, a coordinating conjunction may also be used at the beginning of a new sentence.

Examples

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.

She must have been tired, for she fell asleep the moment she inclined her head.

It’s a sad day when you find out that it’s not accident or time or fortune but just yourself that kept things from you.

3. Correlative Conjunction

A  Correlative Conjunction is a paired conjunction (such as not only . . . but also) that links balanced words, phrases, and clauses.

The elements connected by correlative conjunctions are usually parallel–that is, similar in length and grammatical form. Each element is called a conjoin.

These are the primary correlative conjunctions in English:
both . . . and
either . . . or
neither . . . nor
not . . . but
not only . . . but also

Other pairs that sometimes have a coordinating function include the following:
as . . . as
just as . . . so
the more . . . the less
the more . . . the more
no sooner . . . than
so . . . as
whether . . . or

Examples

By about midnight, the other travelers had found a place to sleep, either in the huts of the village or under the coach itself

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserveneither liberty nor safety

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Source: About.com