English Grammar

Kinds of Conjunctions

Conjunctions are divided into two classes according to their function: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.

A coordinating conjunction joins together words, phrases or clauses of equal rank or importance.

Alice sang and Susie danced.

The two clauses ‘Alice sang’ and ‘Susie danced’ are of equal rank and is independent of each other. And, therefore, is a coordinating conjunction. The common coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, for, still, only, either…or, neither…nor.

A subordinating conjunction joins together clauses of unequal rank or importance. Read the following sentence.

I told that he should find a job.

Here ‘I told’ is the main clause, and ‘that he should find a job’ is the subordinate clause which is the object of the verb told in the main clause.

Subscribe to our Newsletter