At conjunctions (conjunctions), also called linking words they have the function of connecting ideas and sentences, in order to maintain the logic of a speech.
Some of the most used in English are: and (and), although (despite), but (but), because (why), however (however) and otherwise (otherwise), among others.
Check out a list of the 10 conjunctions most used in English and their respective translations.
See illustrative examples and understand the function of each conjunction (explanatory, adversative, conclusive, alternative, etc.).
1. although
Translated as although; despite, although it is a concessive conjunction. This type of conjunction makes a caveat that it does not nullify the main argument.
Examples:
- She traveled by plane, although she was afraid of flying. (She traveled by plane, despite being afraid of flying.)
- Although the sun is shining, it's cold. (Although the sun is shining, it's cold.)
2. And
Translated as and, and it is an additional conjunction. As the name implies, it adds information to the phrase.
Examples:
- She visited Los Angeles and New York. (She visited Los Angeles and New York.)
- He speaks German and Russian. (He speaks German and Russian.)
3. Because
Translated as why, because it is an explanatory conjunction. As the name implies, it is used to explain something.
Examples:
- They are studying because they will have an important exam tomorrow. (They are studying because they will have an important test tomorrow.)
- We didn’t go to the beach because it was raining.) (We didn't go to the beach because it was raining.)
4. But
Translated as but, but it is an adversative conjunction, that is, it indicates opposing ideas.
Examples:
- I would like to travel, but I have no money. (I would like to travel, but I don't have any money.)
- She called him, but he didn’t answer the phone. (She called him, but he didn't answer the phone.)
5. However
Translated as However; However, however it is an adversative conjunction, that is, it indicates opposing ideas.
Examples:
- His vote for him, however, did not change anything. (His vote, however, didn't change anything.)
- She used to love her job. At some point, however, she lost her motivation. (She loved her job. At one point, however, she lost motivation.)
6. If
Translated as if, if it is a conditional conjunction. As the name implies, it expresses an idea of condition.
Examples:
- If I had the money, I would buy a house. (If I had money, I would buy a house.)
- I would have invited him if I knew he wanted to go. (I would have invited him if I knew he wanted to go.)
7. Or
Translated as or, or it is an alternative conjunction. Thus, it indicates the idea of alternation; option.
Examples:
- Which is your favorite color? Blue or green? (What's your favorite color? Blue or green?)
- Are they brothers or cousins? (Are they brothers or cousins?)
8. Otherwise
Translated as in another way; otherwise; otherwise, otherwise it is an alternative conjunction. Thus, it indicates the idea of alternation; option.
Examples:
- You need to study hard, otherwise, you won’t pass the exam. (You need to study hard. Otherwise, it will not pass the test.)
- I really like my team, otherwise, I would have quit my job. (I really like my team. Otherwise I would have left my job.)
9. since
Translated as since; given that, since it is an explanatory conjunction. As the name implies, it is used to explain something.
Examples:
- You can use the pool since you pay for it. (You can use the pool as long as you pay for it.)
- Since the government quit the scholarship program, I will have to give up my research. (Since the government ended the scholarship program, I will have to give up my research.)
10. Only
Translated as then; that is why, only it is a conclusive conjunction, that is, it is used to indicate the conclusion of an idea.
- You know I am paying attention to the teacher, so stop talking to me! (You know I'm paying attention to the teacher, so stop talking to me!)
- He doesn’t speak English, so he had trouble finding a job. (He doesn't speak English, so he had difficulty finding a job.)
Conjunctive adverbs vs. conjunctions
The difference between these two grammatical categories is that while the conjunctive adverbs (conjunctive adverbs) link independent sentences, the conjunctions (conjunctions) introduce subordinate clauses, that is, that depend on a main clause to make sense.
Examples:
- I invited him, but he didn't eat. (I invited him, but he didn't come.) - but introduces a subordinate clause: but he didn't eat.
- Ziraldo is an author, a cartoonist and a painter; moreover, he is a journalist. (Ziraldo is an author, cartoonist and painter; besides, he's a journalist.) - moreover makes the link between two independent sentences.
Below is a table of some of the conjunctive adverbs most commonly confused with conjunctions.
| connective adverb | Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| consequently | consequently |
Daniel and Jean are highly qualified professionals. consequently, they gain high salaries. (Daniel and Jean are highly qualified professionals. Consequently, they earn high salaries.) |
| furthermore | other than that; Furthermore |
She is a dedicated teacher. Furthermore, we can always count on her. (She is a dedicated teacher. Plus, we can always count on her.) |
| moreover | other than that; including |
She is really clever; moreover, she's got the best grades in her class. (She's very smart. Plus, she got the best grades in her class.) |
| Therefore | therefore; thus; then |
Amy was starving. Therefore, she went to a pizzeria. (Amy was hungry so she went to a pizza place.) |
Exercises on English conjunctions
Complete the sentences with one of the options below:
although - because - so - but
I. He left school early ______________ he was not feeling well.
Right answer: He left school early because he was not feeling well.
The phrase He left school early because he was not feeling well. (He left school early because he wasn't feeling well.) Explains why the guy left school early: he wasn't feeling well.
Thus, the phrase requires the use of an explanatory conjunction and the only one presented in the options is the word because (why).
II. _____________ we had planned everything, some things went wrong.
Right answer: Although we had planned everything, some things went wrong.
The phrase Although we had planned everything, some things went wrong. (Although we planned it all, some things went wrong.) It has two prayers.
In one of the prayers (had planned everything – we had planned everything), a subordinate fact indicates a proviso that does not nullify the main argument (some things went wrong – some things went wrong).
This type of sentence requires the use of a concessive conjunction. Thus, the conjunction although.
III. It was very cold, ______________ I closed the window.
Right answer: It was very cold, so I closed the window.
The phrase It was very cold, so I closed the window. (It was very cold, so I closed the window.) shows two sentences, where the first one presents a certain situation (it was very cold - it was very cold), which had an action as a conclusion (I closed the window – I closed the window).
Because it is necessary to use a conclusive conjunction, the correct option available as an option is only (then; that is why).
IV. She bought a book, ____________ she didn’t read it yet.
Right answer: She bought a book, but she didn’t read it yet.
The phrase She she bought a book, but she did not read it yet. (She bought a book, but she hasn't read it yet.) It indicates two ideas that are somewhat opposite. When a person buys a book, it is understood that it will be read. However, that's not what happened.
When a sentence has clauses that express contrary ideas, it is necessary to use an adversative conjunction.
For this reason, the conjunction but (but) is the correct option.
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