Is Whenever A Conjunction? 5 Facts(When, Why & Examples)

A conjunction is a word that acts as a joining word. It can connect words, phrases, and clauses. Now we shall explain it.

The word ‘whenever’ is certainly conjunction. It can connect the two clauses and phrases. Thus it frames a complex sentence.

Let us see the examples below.

Serial number	Examples	Explanations
1.	Whenever we smile, the mirror smiles back.	In this example, it is found that the word ‘whenever’ is used to connect the main clause and a dependent clause. Thus it makes a complex sentence.
2.	Whenever the child sees a cat, it cries in joy.	In this example, the word ‘whenever’ works as conjunction.  It connects the main clause ‘it cries in joy’ and a dependent clause ‘whenever the child sees a cat’ and frames a single sentence.

Now we will discuss more facts related to it.

When is ‘whenever’ a conjunction?

The fact is that the word ‘whenever’ can act as conjunction. Here we will explore it.

We can use the word’ whenever’ as a conjunction in the following situations. 

Let us see the examples in the table below.

Serial Number	Situations	Examples	Explanations
1.	We can use ‘whenever’ to refer to any time.	Santanu can bring you home from the party whenever you wish to come.	In this sentence, the word ‘whenever’ is used to join two sentences and refers to any time.
2.	The word ‘whenever’ can be used to refer to every time.	Salil can build a house whenever he likes to do it.	Here it is seen that ‘whenever’ is used as a conjunction and shows the situation of every time.

Why is ‘whenever’ a subordinating conjunction?

The word ‘whenever’ can act as a conjunction. Now we shall explain whether it is a subordinating conjunction.

The subordinating conjunction is one kind of conjunction that acts as a linker. It connects an independent clause and a sub-clause. The word ‘whenever’ follows the cited rules. So, it is a subordinating conjunction.

Serial number	Examples	Explanations
1.	Whenever my mother cooks in the kitchen, my sister assists her.	In this sentence, the word ‘whenever’ works as a subordinating conjunction. In this sentence ‘whenever’ joins two opposite clauses-one is a dependent clause and the other is an independent clause.
2.	They can arrange the meeting, whenever the boss comes.	Here we see that the word ‘whenever’ is used as a conjunction. It joins the two clauses- a principal clause and a dependent clause.

Examples of ‘whenever’ as subordinating conjunction:

The word ‘whenever’ can work as subordinating conjunction. Let us look at the examples below.

Serial number	Examples	Explanations
1.	Whenever you saw me, I was in my study.	Here is the word ‘whenever that works as subordinating conjunction by joining one main clause
2.	His brother disturbs Robin, whenever he begins to read.	In this sentence ‘whenever’ joins two opposite clauses-one is a dependent clause and the other is an independent clause.
3.	Do not go out, whenever it thunders.	Here the word ‘whenever joins a main clause and a sub-clause. It makes a single sentence.
4.	Whenever it rains, we remain indoors.	Here the word ‘whenever’ joins a dependent clause and the main clause. Thus it acts as a subordinate conjunction.
5.	Our pet dog barks whenever it sees any stranger.	Here one independent clause and the main clause are joined by the word ‘whenever’.
6.	Whenever I saw him, he was busy gossiping.	In this example, the word ‘whenever’ connects two clauses and frames a single sentence.

When is ‘whenever’ not considered a conjunction?

We come to know that ‘whenever’ is conjunction. Here we shall come to know when it is not always considered conjunction.

Sometimes the word ‘whenever’ is used as an adverb when it is used to frame a question and when it is used to modify a verb.

Let us see the examples.

Serial number	Examples	Explanations
1.	Lalit can come to me whenever.	In this sentence, the word ‘whenever’ is used to modify the verb ‘come’ and acts as an adverb.
2.	Sanjoy, come to me tomorrow or whenever.	In this sentence, the word ‘whenever’ is used as an adverb. It modifies the verb ‘come’ here.

Examples of ‘whenever’ not considered as conjunctions:

The following are the examples where the word ‘whenever’ is not used as a conjunction.

Serial number	Examples	Explanations
1.	Visit the town whenever you like.	Here the word ‘whenever’ is used as an adverb. It modifies the verb ‘visit’.
2.	Whenever the baby sees me, it cries.	In this sentence, the word ‘whenever’ acts as an adverb by modifying the verb ‘sees’.
3.	Sunita will do the sum whenever.	This is the example where the word ‘whenever’ is used as an adverb. It modifies the verb ‘do’ here.

Conclusion

The article describes clearly the use of the word ‘whenever’ as a conjunction. It also deals with how it acts as an adverb. It will help us to use the word in the right way.