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Summary
Conjunctions are words that introduce a clause or "glue" two clauses together in a sentence.
Coordinating conjunctions are words that join two or more (main) clauses together. The simplest example of this is the word and, but there are some more that you should know.
You might already know that a complex sentence is one that contains at least one main clause and one subordinate clause. A compound sentence contains two or more main clauses, glued together using coordinating conjunctions like the ones listed above.
You can tell if a sentence is a compound sentence by taking away the coordinating conjunction and putting a full stop. If both sentences would make sense on their own, you've got yourself a compound sentence.
| | Main clause 1 | | Main clause 2 |
| Mum got angry and Jack heard her. |  | and |  |
| I wanted to buy some new trainers but they were too expensive. |  | but |  |
A subordinating conjunction begins a subordinate clause, e.g. The dog ate the cake since he was hungry.
| for as since therefore hence consequently though | due to provided that because unless once while when | whenever where wherever before after |
In these examples, notice which type of clause makes sense on its own, and which one does not. Which one contains the subordinating conjunction?
| Main clause | Subordinate clause | | |
| I won't buy any new trainers | unless I can afford them. | | |
| Before she rides her bike, | the girl will test her brakes. |  |  |
Subordinating conjunctions might also begin a subordinate clause in order to add more information about a subject, e.g. The woman whose dog ate the cake,
In the following examples, notice the commas that separate the different clauses.
| Main clause (part A)... | Subordinate clause | ...Main clause (part B) | |
1. | The man,  | who had his birthday last week,  | got on the bus.  |
2. | The cheese,  | which was French,  | was eaten by the dog!  |
Main clauses
Subordinate clauses
Relative clauses and pronouns
FAQs
Question: What are subordinating conjunctions?
Answer: A subordinating conjunction begins a subordinate clause.
Question: What are coordinating conjuctions?
Answer: Coordinating conjunctions are words that join two or more (main) clauses together.
Question: What are conjunctions?
Answer: Conjunctions are words that introduce a clause or "glue" two clauses together in a sentence.
Theory
Exercises
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