A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases, or clauses together — words like and, but, because, and although. English has three types: coordinating conjunctions (the seven FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), which link elements of equal weight; subordinating conjunctions (because, although, if, when…), which attach a dependent clause to a main one; and correlative conjunctions (either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also), which work in matched pairs.
Coordinating conjunctions join two elements of equal grammatical rank — two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses. There are exactly seven of them, and the acronym FANBOYS lists every one:
Punctuation depends on what the conjunction joins. When it links two independent clauses (each could stand alone as a sentence), put a comma before it: The train was late, so I missed the meeting. When it only joins two words or phrases, no comma is needed: fish and chips, not fish, and chips.
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause — one that cannot stand on its own — and links it to the main clause. Common ones include because, although, since, unless, while, if, when, before, after, as, until, though, whereas, and even though. They typically signal cause, condition, time, or contrast.
Word order controls the comma. If the subordinate clause comes first, follow it with a comma: Because it was raining, we cancelled the picnic. If the main clause comes first, you usually don't need one: We cancelled the picnic because it was raining.
Correlative conjunctions come in matched pairs that work together to connect balanced elements. The main ones are both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, whether…or, and as…as.
The golden rule with correlatives is parallel structure: whatever grammatical form follows the first half must be matched after the second. ✓ She wants both to travel and to write. ✗ She wants both to travel and writing.
Words like however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, and consequently feel like conjunctions, but they are actually conjunctive adverbs. They cannot join two independent clauses with a comma alone — doing so creates a comma splice. Use a semicolon (or a full stop) instead: ✓ It was expensive; however, we bought it. ✗ It was expensive, however, we bought it.
The old rule that you must never begin a sentence with and, but, or because is a myth. Respected authorities — including the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster — confirm that opening with a coordinating conjunction is standard, and skilled writers have done it for centuries. Use it for deliberate emphasis, not in every sentence. A sentence starting with because is fine too, as long as it also contains a main clause: Because we planned ahead, everything ran smoothly.
Traditional grammar treats than as a conjunction, which is why formal writing prefers She is taller than I (am) over than me. In everyday speech, than me is extremely common and widely accepted. Both are understood; the pronoun form (than I) is the safer choice in formal contexts.
For the seven coordinating conjunctions, remember FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. For correlatives, remember that they always travel in pairs — once you write the first half (either, neither, not only), your reader is already waiting for the second (or, nor, but also).
Conjunction grammar is nearly identical on both sides of the Atlantic, but two points genuinely differ. First, the serial (Oxford) comma — the comma before the final and or or in a list — is standard in most American style guides (red, white, and blue) and often dropped in British writing (red, white and blue), even though the name comes from Oxford University Press. Second, different than, where than functions as a conjunction (It's different than I expected), is accepted in American English, whereas British English prefers different from or different to.
They are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so — remembered by the acronym FANBOYS. Each joins two elements of equal grammatical weight, such as two words, two phrases, or two complete sentences. When a FANBOYS word links two independent clauses, place a comma before it: 'I called, but no one answered.'
Yes. The belief that you can't is a persistent myth with no grammatical basis. Major style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster, confirm that beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is correct and often effective. Use it for emphasis and rhythm — just don't overdo it, or the effect wears thin.
Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) join elements of equal rank — two words, phrases, or independent clauses that could each stand alone. Subordinating conjunctions (because, although, if, when) attach a dependent clause, which cannot stand alone, to a main clause. In short: coordinators link equals, while subordinators show that one clause depends on another.
Yes — 'because' is a subordinating conjunction. It introduces a dependent clause that gives a reason: 'We left because it was late.' You can also start a sentence with it, as long as a main clause follows: 'Because it was late, we left.' A 'because' clause on its own is a sentence fragment.
Correlative conjunctions are pairs that work together: both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, and whether…or. They connect two balanced, grammatically parallel elements: 'She speaks both French and Spanish.' Keep the structure matched on each side — say 'not only fast but also accurate,' not 'not only fast but also with accuracy.'
