What is a conjunction?
The joining words, the two kinds children learn, and the comma mistake they fix.
The answer
A conjunction is a joining word, such as and, but, because or when, that links words, phrases or clauses.
Examples
I wanted to play outside, but it was raining.
We had fish and chips.
And joins two words as an equal pair.
You can have an apple or a banana.
Tom smiled because he had won.
Because starts a clause giving the reason.
When the bell rings, line up by the door.
How to spot it
- It sits between the two things it joins, or at the start of a clause joined to another.
- Co-ordinating conjunctions join equals: and, but, or. Subordinating conjunctions start a clause that depends on the rest: because, when, if, although.
- Take the word out. If you are left with two separate sentences, it was joining them.
The common mistake
Joining two sentences with just a comma.
‘It was late, we went home’ is a comma splice. Use a conjunction (It was late, so we went home) or a full stop.
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 1
- On the pupil word list
- Year 3, as “conjunction”
Year 1 joins words and clauses with and. Year 2 uses or, and and but, plus when, if, that and because. Year 3 names the word conjunction and widens the range (before, after, while, so).
Try a question
Which conjunction shows why Jess wore her coat? Tick one.
Jess wore her coat ___ it was cold.
- and
- because
- or
- but
Show the answer
Answer: because
Because introduces a reason. And would also make a sentence, but it only adds the second fact without saying why.
Practise it
An interactive exercise where your child chooses the conjunction that joins two halves of a sentence truthfully.
Related terms
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
Can you start a sentence with because or and?
Yes. ‘Because it was raining, we stayed in’ is correct: the subordinate clause just comes first. Starting with and or but is common in stories, though many teachers ask children to avoid it in formal writing.
What is the difference between a conjunction and a connective?
Connective is an older school word that covered conjunctions and linking adverbs such as however. The current national curriculum does not use it: because is a conjunction, and however is an adverb.
How many kinds of conjunction are there?
Children learn two: co-ordinating conjunctions (and, but, or) and subordinating conjunctions (such as because, when, if and although).
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
Many 11+ English papers include grammar and punctuation questions alongside comprehension. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.