Is Conjunction A Part Of Speech: 3 Facts(Uses, Types & Examples)

Various categories of parts of speech play different roles in stating a complete and meaningful sentence. Let us see if “conjunctions” are parts of speech or not.

Conjunctions are words or word groups that play a major role in parts of speech. They are used to connect different words, phrases, clauses, and sentences to present more than one idea or thought.

Now, we will learn some important facts and explanations related to “conjunctions” as a part of speech.

Uses of conjunctions as a part of speech-

The use of conjunctions to present complete and meaningful sentences needs to follow some specific rules. Let us look at the use of conjunctions in the English language.

Some examples to show the various uses of “conjunctions” as a part of speech have been listed below.

Uses of “conjunctions” as a part of speechExamplesExplanations
1. Conjunctions are useful to connect a word to another clause or sentence.My father loves to drink both black coffee and tea.The conjunction “and” is used to connect the word “tea” to the main clause, “My father loves to drink both black coffee.”
2. Conjunctions are useful to connect a phrase to another clause or sentence.My father loves to drink both black coffee and green tea.The conjunction “and” is in use to connect the phrase “green tea” to the main clause “my father loves to drink both black.”
3. Conjunctions are useful to connect a clause with another clause.My father loves to drink black coffee, and green tea is also his favorite.The conjunction “and” is used to connect the dependent clause “green tea is also his favorite” to the main clause “my father loves to drink both black coffee.”
4. Conjunctions are useful for connecting one sentence to another.My father loves to drink black coffee, and he also loves to drink green tea.The conjunction “and” is used to connect the sentences “he also loves to drink green tea” and “my father loves to drink black coffee.”
Uses of “conjunctions” as a part of speech

Types of conjunctions-

We can not put all conjunctions in a single group as there is a separate group for each type of conjunction. Let us check various types of conjunctions.

We can categorize all conjunctions into four main types of conjunctions. Now we will learn about these four types of “conjunctions”.

Coordinating Conjunction-

Concept of Coordinating ConjunctionExampleExplanation
1. Coordinating conjunctions always connect clauses that share equal importance in both grammatical and syntactic aspects.I am interested in going with you all for the vacation, but I have some family gatherings to attend.The coordinating conjunction “but” is used to connect the clause “I have some family gatherings to attend” with the main clause “I am interested in going with you all for the vacation.” Here, both clauses are of equal importance and status.
2. Seven conjunctions can be categorized under the group “coordinating conjunctions” and they are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.I’m going to a cold region for my summer vacation, so I’ll need to pack some warm clothes to keep warm.The coordinating conjunction “so” is in use to show the “cause and effect” relationship by connecting two independent clauses.
3. Coordinating conjunctions can join two independent clauses, two phrases, or two words. Sandip did not come back home after the performance, nor did his best friend.The coordinating conjunction “nor” is in use to show a negative statement by connecting the phrase “did his best friend” with the main clause “Sandip did not come back home after the performance”.
4. If we are connecting two independent clauses with the help of a coordinating conjunction, then we must put a “comma” sign before the conjunction. The punctuation “comma” is not required if we are connecting two phrases or words with the help of “coordinating conjunctions”.I will bring some bread for the picnic and you have to bring some boiled eggs to enjoy at the picnic.The coordinating conjunction “and” is in use to connect two independent clauses which share equal grammatical and syntactical meaning. We did not use the punctuation mark “comma” before the conjunction because the conjunction “and” is connecting two independent clauses.
Concept of Coordinating Conjunction

Correlative Conjunction-

Concept of Correlative ConjunctionExampleExplanation
1. Instead of a single word, we use two paired words as a single “correlative conjunction” to show “cause and effect”, ” reason”, “effectively”, “positive statement,” “negative statement,” etc. between two clauses that do not share an equal rank.Mr. Roy is not only my office boss but a true guide on my professional path.  The pair “not only” and “but also” is in use to complete the meaning of the first clause by connecting it with the second clause.
2. Either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, whether/or, not/but, etc. can be categorized under the group of “correlative conjunctions”.  Mountain areas are as good as seaside areas for any type of vacation.The coordinating conjunction “and” is in use to connect the phrase “brainstorming to read” with the main clause “This book is quite interesting”. The correlative conjunction “as/as” is used to show the similarity between the mountain area and the seaside.
Concept of Correlative Conjunction

Subordinating Conjunction-

Concept of subordinating conjunctionExampleExplanation
1. When we use a conjunction to complete the meaning of the dependent clause by connecting it with an independent clause, then that clause can be marked as a “subordinate conjunction”.  I called you as soon as I found out that you left your expensive purse at my house.The subordinating conjunction “as soon as” is in use to show “relation” between two clauses.
2. Since, because, though, as, although, etc. can be termed as subordinating conjunctions.  Renu is not going to sing tomorrow because the song needs to be enhanced more.The subordinate conjunction “because” is in use to show the “reason” behind a possible event.
Concept of Subordinating Conjunction

Conjunctive Adverb-

Concept of Conjunctive adverbExampleExplanation
1. There are some words that are termed “conjunctive adverbs” because they are original “adverbs,” but sometimes are in use as “conjunction.”  Renu is gaining weight without being worried about it; in fact, she really needs some medical help to lose weight.The adverb “in fact” can certainly be marked as a “conjunctive adverb” because it connects the clauses to mark the meaning “in reality.”
2. However, therefore, on the contrary, hence, in fact, otherwise, etc. can be categorized under the group “conjunctive adverb.”  I am going to cook the meal however I want.The conjunctive adverb “however” is in use to show the meaning “anyway”.
Concept of Conjunctive Adverb

Examples of conjunctions as a part of speech-

Now we will go through some examples which have been framed with various types of conjunctions.

ExampleConjunction in useExplanation
1. I will submit the assignment to the class teacher or to the drawing teacher.“or”The coordinating conjunction “or” is used to show two options in one sentence.
2. Pijush has already filled in the admission form, yet he needs to get permission from his father.“yet”The coordinating conjunction “yet” is used to connect the clause “yet he needs to get permission from his father” with the main clause” Pijush has already filled in the admission form”.
3. For my summer vacation, I plan to visit a mountain area or a seaside resort.                                                      “for”The coordinating conjunction “for” is used to connect the phrase “my summer vacation” with the main clause “I plan to visit a mountain area or a seaside resort”.
4. This book is quite interesting and brainstorming to read.“and”The coordinating conjunction “and” is used to connect the phrase “brainstorming to read” with the main clause “This book is quite interesting”.
5. I have already given you instructions. Whether you will follow my instructions or I will force you to do so.“whether/or”The correlative conjunction “whether/or” is used to show two options.
6. Either you submit the assignment on time or I will complain to the headmaster about your delay in submitting the assignment.“Either/or”The correlative conjunction “either/or” is in use to show two options in positive mode.
7. Neither you will go to the lunch party nor will your sister go to the same.“Neither/nor”The correlative conjunction “neither/nor” is in use to show two options in negative mode.
8. Sandip will not only give ice cream party to the family but also take all of us for a long drive.“not only/but also”The correlative conjunction “not only/but also” is in use to show accompaniment.
9. I know you will come to meet me; by that time, I will also have completed all my office work to meet with you.“by that time”The subordinating conjunction “by that time” is used to connect the clause “I will also have completed all my office work to meet with you” with the main clause “I know you will come to meet me”.
10. After I informed him about the meeting, he took all the necessary steps to conduct it.“after”The subordinating conjunction “after” is in use to show a “sequence” between two events.
11. I am calling you since you have left my home without your purse.“since”The subordinating conjunction “since” is in use to show the duration of the “time period”.
12. I will not call you unless I have to return the money that I have borrowed from you.“unless”The subordinating conjunction “unless” is used to connect the clause “I have to return the money that I have borrowed from you” with the main clause “I will not call you” to show the reason behind an activity.
13. I called you when I found out that you left your expensive purse at my house.“when”The subordinating conjunction “when” is used to mark a “time” by connecting two clauses.
14. I have brought some fruits for you, although I know that you like to eat nuts.“although”The subordinating conjunction “although” is in use to connect the clause “I know that you like to eat nuts” with the main clause “. I have brought some fruits for you”.
15. Sandip is not going to eat alone because he knows that his mother is waiting for him to eat together.“because”The subordinating conjunction “because” is in use to show the “reason” behind an activity.
16. I have already served your lunch before you even asked for it.“before”The subordinating conjunction “even” is in use to show the “sequence” of two activities.
17. I have bought some packaged food for my child in case he feels hungry in the middle of the journey.“in case”The subordinating conjunction “in case” is in use to mark the possibility of a situation.
18. Now that you have mentioned it, I liked to order some ice-cream as a desert.“now that”The subordinating conjunction “now that” is in use to connect the phrase “you have mentioned it” with the main clause “I liked to order some ice cream as a dessert”.
19. I can not tell you whether the meeting will start at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. “whether or not”The subordinating conjunction “whether or not” is used to show two options.
20. You must keep an eye on the book while writing notes in your writing book.“while”The subordinating conjunction “while” is used to connect the clause “writing notes in your writing book” with the main clause “You must keep an eye on the book.”
21. I am delighted to hear about your outcome; finally, you can resume your professional life. “finally”The conjunctive adverb “finally” is in use to connect two independent sentences to show an ultimate result.
22. Sandip was not interested in continuing his engineering studies; after all, he had already decided to pursue literature. “after all”The conjunctive adverb “after all” is used to connect two clauses to depict the meaning “anyway.”
23. I like to eat mutton curry besides some rice.“besides”The conjunctive adverb “besides” is used to connect the phrase “some rice” with the main clause “I like to eat mutton curry”.
24. We forgot to bring warm clothes for this vacation; consequently, we are all facing a cold night.“consequently”The conjunctive adverb “consequently” is in use to connect clauses to show “as a result”.
25. The carpenter made a mess with the new table; therefore, I need to call another carpenter to repair the table.“therefore”The conjunctive adverb “therefore” is used to connect two clauses to depict the meaning “because of”.
Examples of Various Conjunctions

Conclusion –

Conjunctions are useful to make our writing compact. We must use conjunctions to consummate more than one idea, thought, or piece of knowledge in one sentence instead of using a new sentence for each and every type of idea, thought, or knowledge.