Conjunctions and Connectors
intermediate24 min read
Coordinating, subordinating and correlative conjunctions, how they punctuate, conjunctive adverbs and transition words, and choosing the connector whose meaning — contrast, cause, addition, sequence, condition — matches the logic of the two ideas.
What you will be able to do
- Distinguish coordinating, subordinating and correlative conjunctions and punctuate each correctly.
- Use a conjunctive adverb with the right punctuation, and avoid the comma splice.
- Pick the connector whose meaning fits the relationship between the two ideas.
- Keep both halves of a correlative pair parallel.
What is inside this lesson
- 1Coordinating conjunctions
- 2Subordinating conjunctions
- 3Correlative conjunctions
- 4Conjunctive adverbs and transitions
- 5Choosing the connector by meaning
- 6Worked example: two items
- 7Common mistakes
- 8Quick revision
- 9Practice
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Coordinating conjunctions
The seven coordinating conjunctions — for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS) — join two elements of equal rank: two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses.
- Joining two independent clauses: use a comma before the conjunction. The reconciliation was complete, but the report was still pending.
- Joining just two words or phrases: no comma. the manager and the cashier, quick but careful.
- Starting a sentence with And or But is acceptable in modern usage but is often avoided in formal exam writing.
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