conjunction
noun
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What is a conjunction?
Conjunctions are words that join together other words or groups of words.
A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, and clauses of equal importance. The main coordinating conjunctions are and, or, and but.
They bought apples, pears, and oranges.
You can wait either on the steps or in the car.
The paintings are pleasant but bland.
When placed at the beginning of a sentence, a coordinating conjunction may also link two sentences or paragraphs.
The preparations were complete. But where were the guests?
She told him that he would have to work to earn her trust. And he proceeded to do just that.
A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause (a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself) and joins it to a main clause (a clause that can be used as a simple sentence by itself).
She waited until they were seated.
It had been quiet since the children left.
Some conjunctions are used in pairs. The most common pairs are either ... or, both ... and, neither ... nor, and not only ... but (also).
They could either continue searching or go to the police.
Both Clara and Jeanette graduated from Stanford.
He could neither sing nor dance.
Not only the money but also the jewelry had been found.
Some adverbs, such as afterwards, consequently, for example, however, nonetheless, and therefore, act like conjunctions by linking either two main clauses separated by a semicolon, or two separate sentences. They express some effect that the first clause or sentence has on the second one.
They didn't agree; however, each understood the other's opinion.
We'll probably regret it; still, we really have no choice.
The team has won its last three games. Thus, its record for the year is now 15-12.
Examples of conjunction in a Sentence
Amelie Botbol, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025
Doctors there, working in conjunction with a team an hour’s drive away at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, drew up an initial treatment plan of chemotherapy and proton therapy.
—Rachel Clarke, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
Alongside borrowing foundational principles, the AIIB also works in close conjunction with its peers.
—Tamar Gutner, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Private sector employers also sometimes offer extended pay to employees excused from performing further work in conjunction with the employees’ immediate resignation.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conjunction
Cite this Entry
“Conjunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjunction. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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conjunction
noun
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