Conjunctions sometimes masquerade as transitions. However, conjunctions and transitions have different functions. A conjunction joins two clauses in a sentence. In contrast, transitions reveal the relationship between two sentences or paragraphs. Transitions signal to the reader how pieces of information fit together in a logical way. Similarly, both conjunctions and transitions connect ideas or thoughts.

What Are Conjunctions?

Conjunction brings two clauses in a sentence together. Removing conjunction from a sentence causes grammatical changes to the text. There are two main types of conjunctions that exist: subordinate and coordinating. Each serves a specific function.

Subordinating conjunctions

This type of conjunction will link an independent clause to a dependent one. Subordinating conjunction indicates a relationship between clauses. It stresses which clause is most important within the confines of a sentence.

Example

• Even though the lights went out, he was able to see the intruder.
• As I learned the truth, the world around me made sense for the first time.
• She went to the doctor because her eyes burned.

Coordinating conjunctions

Join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction to create a compound sentence. It is easy to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions with the mnemonic FANBOYS. The seven coordinating conjunctions include: for, as, nor, but, or, yet and so.

Example

• The girl smiled, so I knew she was okay.
• Her heart broke, but she did not cry.
• I could go to the store, or I could go to the movies.

In addition, to the above main conjunctions, you may come across correlating conjunctions. Correlating conjunctions are word pairs that function together to connect equal sentence elements. Common correlating conjunctions include word pairs like neither…nor or not only…but also.