Conjunction for Class 6

What Do You Mean by Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are words or word groupings that link two or more words, clauses, phrases, or sentences together. These are also known as linking words. Conjunctions are one of the eight parts of speech that we use in our day-to-day communication. Conjunctions combine two sentences to generate a more meaningful sentence or make a conversation effective and easier to understand.
Some common words used as conjunctions include: and, but, so, because, yet, or, and so on.

Some examples to understand it briefly:

→ Mike did not attend school today because of a toothache.
→ If it rains, we will not go for a match.
→ Although it was late, Miley stayed up to finish her urgent work.
→ She likes to play soccer, and her brother enjoys basketball.
→ John wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
→ You can have either cake or ice cream for dessert.

The above-highlighted words in the given sentences are all conjunctions.

List of Most Commonly Used Conjunctions

Types of Conjunctions

They are categorised into three main types:

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are specific words that we employ to connect related words, phrases, or sentences. They function similarly to the "glue" that ties sentences together. Some common coordinating conjunctions are:

1. for
2. and
3. nor
4. but
5. or
6. yet
7. so

Examples:

→ My brother studied hard, so he got good grades this semester.
→ I wanted to go to shopping, but it started raining, so I stayed home.
→ I like to read novels, and I also enjoy playing chess.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are words that help us connect and join two different elements of a sentence in English. They are used to demonstrate the connection between these elements and to make the phrase more effective. Some common subordinating conjunctions are:

1. because
2. although
3. if
4. while
5. when
6. since
7. after
8. before

Examples:

→ Children will go to the zoo when it opens.
→ Although he studied hard, he didn't do well on the test.
→ She couldn't go to the park because she hadn’t completed her homework.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are specific word pairings that function together to connect two words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They are used to demonstrate a relationship between the elements they connect. Correlative conjunctions are always found in pairs, and each word in the pair has a distinct purpose. Some common correlative conjunctions are:

1. both...and
2. either...or
3. neither...nor
4. not only...but also
5. whether...or

Examples:

→ My daughter is not only smart but also kind.
→ Both my brother and I enjoy eating snacks together.
→ You can either choose a jacket or overcoat for the occasion.