The main conjunction meaning is grammatical: a conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases or clauses, such as and, but, or, because and although. Without them, writing would be a string of short, choppy statements.
Outside grammar, conjunction also means two things happening or coming together, as in the phrase "in conjunction with", and in astronomy it names the moment two planets or a planet and the Moon appear close in the sky.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
A joining word; also a combination or coming togetherPart of speech
NounPronunciation
kuhn-JUNGK-shuhnWord forms
conjunctions; conjunctive (adjective); conjoin (verb)Origin
Latin coniunctio, a joining, from con- together + iungere to joinField
Grammar, logic, astronomyFellow word classes
Conjunction meaning in grammar class
To define conjunction for a grammar class: the standard definition of conjunction is a connecting word that links two items and shows how they relate. The relationship might be addition (and), contrast (but), choice (or), cause (because), time (when, after) or condition (if, unless).
Compare: "I was tired. I finished the essay." With a conjunction: "I was tired, but I finished the essay." One small word now tells the reader that the second fact goes against what the first might suggest.
The three main types
| Type | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating | Joins items of equal rank | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (often remembered as FANBOYS) |
| Subordinating | Joins a dependent clause to a main clause | because, although, since, unless, while, if, whether |
| Correlative | Works in pairs | either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not only...but also |
Some grammars also list words like however and therefore as conjunctive adverbs. They link ideas too, but they behave like adverbs, so they need a semicolon or a full stop before them: "It rained; however, the match went ahead."
Example sentences
- You can have tea or coffee, but the milk has run out.
- Although the bus was late, Priya reached the interview on time.
- We stayed indoors because the storm warning was still on.
- Neither the printer nor the scanner works on Mondays, apparently.
- The college runs the course in conjunction with a local hospital.
"In conjunction with" and other senses
- Together with: "The medicine works best in conjunction with rest." This phrase is common in formal writing, reports and notices.
- A combination: "A conjunction of bad weather and poor planning ruined the trip."
- Astronomy: when two sky objects line up so they look close together from Earth. A conjunction of two bright planets is a popular sight for stargazers.
- Logic and maths: a statement joined by and, true only when both parts are true.
Can you start a sentence with a conjunction?
Yes. Many people were taught never to begin with and or but, yet careful writers have done so for centuries. It works best for emphasis: "But nobody asked the students." Use it sparingly in formal essays, and never leave a subordinate clause standing alone. "Because I was late." is a fragment; "Because I was late, I missed the start." is complete.
Commas and common slips
- Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two full sentences: "She called, and he answered."
- No comma is needed for short joined verbs: "She called and left a message."
- Do not join two sentences with only a comma ("I was hungry, I ate"). Add a conjunction or use a full stop.
- Keep correlative pairs balanced: "either by bus or by train", not "either by bus or train ride".
- Albeit is a conjunction too, meaning although, but it is followed by a word or phrase, not a full clause.
For more grammar terms, browse grammar and writing.
Frequently asked questions
What does conjunction mean in simple words?
In grammar it is a joining word, like and, but or because. In everyday English it can also mean things happening together.
What are the seven coordinating conjunctions?
For, and, nor, but, or, yet and so. Students often remember them with the made-up word FANBOYS, taken from their first letters.
Is because a conjunction?
Yes, it is a subordinating conjunction. It introduces a reason clause that depends on a main clause, as in "We left because it was late". Note that because of is different: it is followed by a noun, not a clause.
What does in conjunction with mean?
It means together with or alongside. "The festival is held in conjunction with the city library" tells you both organisers are involved.
How do you pronounce conjunction?
Say kuhn-JUNGK-shuhn. The middle syllable carries the stress and rhymes with junk.
What is a conjunction in astronomy?
It is when two objects, such as two planets, appear very close together in our sky. They are not actually near each other in space; they just line up from our point of view.