Do you often struggle to connect your ideas smoothly in English? Conjunctions are the invisible bridges that link words, phrases, and sentences—helping you speak and write more naturally. Without them, your sentences can sound choppy or incomplete. Let’s master the most useful conjunctions in English: and, but, so, or, because, yet, though, till, unless.

The Rule

Conjunctions are joining words that connect two words, phrases, or clauses. They help express relationships like addition, contrast, reason, choice, or condition.

Conjunctions for Addition and Choice

Examples

✅ And (addition): Birds fly, and fish swim.
✅ Or (choice): You can have tea or coffee with your breakfast.

And is used to join two similar or related ideas. Or presents alternatives or choices between two options.

Conjunctions for Contrast

Examples

✅ But (simple contrast): I really need to go to work, but I am too tired to drive.
✅ Yet (unexpected contrast): He is seventy-two, yet he still runs marathons.
✅ Though (contrast with surprise): Though she liked the dress, she didn’t buy it.

But shows a simple contrast between two ideas. Yet and though introduce a contrast that feels surprising or unexpected. Note that when 'though' starts a sentence, the entire introductory clause is followed by a comma (e.g., 'Though he is rich, he is not happy.').

Contrast Conjunctions in Action
Without ConjunctionWith ButWith Yet / Though
He is rich. He is not happy.He is rich, but he is not happy.He is rich, yet he is not happy. Though he is rich, he is not happy.
The train derailed. No one was hurt.The train derailed, but no one was hurt.The train derailed, yet no one was hurt. Though the train derailed, no one was hurt.

Conjunctions for Reason and Result

Examples

✅ Because (reason): I was late because I missed the train.
✅ So (result): He was hungry, so he ate all the biscuits.

Because explains the reason for something. So shows the result or consequence of an action. These two are often used together in logic: X happened because Y, so Z resulted.

Conjunctions for Time and Condition

Examples

✅ Till / Until (time): Let’s wait here till the rain stops.
✅ Unless (condition): Unless you eat vegetables, you will not be strong.

Till (or until) connects an action to a point in time when that action ends. This can refer to past, present, or future contexts (e.g., "She slept until 9 AM" — past; "He works until 5 PM every day" — present; "Wait till the rain stops" — future). Unless introduces a condition that, if not met, leads to a specific result (i.e., it means "if not"). Note that the clause following unless should be phrased affirmatively — e.g., "unless you study" (not "unless you don't study", which creates a double negative).

The Rule

Remember: FANBOYS! The most common coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. They can join single words or phrases without any punctuation (tea and coffee), but when one joins two independent clauses (complete sentences), place a comma before the conjunction — e.g., I was tired, but I kept working.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out!

❌ She was tired but she went to bed. (Wrong choice: but signals contrast, not result; use so when the second clause is a consequence of the first.)
✅ She was tired, so she went to bed. (Correct: so shows result.)

❌ Though he is rich he is not happy. (Incorrect: missing comma after though clause.)
✅ Though he is rich, he is not happy. (Correct: comma separates the contrast.)

Choppy Sentences vs. Combined Sentences
Choppy / Incomplete✅ Combined with Conjunction
I like cakes. I don’t like biscuits.I like cakes, but I don’t like biscuits.
He stayed at home. It was raining.He stayed at home because it was raining.
We can go to a restaurant. We can order a pizza online.We can go to a restaurant or order a pizza online.
She will not score good marks in the test. She doesn't study hard.She will not score good marks in the test unless she studies hard.

✏️ Quick Practice — Join the Sentences

Combine each pair of sentences using the correct conjunction from the list: and, but, so, or, because, yet, though, till, unless.

  1. Reena didn't go to school today. She has a fever.
  2. He is old. He is active.
  3. She injured her legs. She finished the race.
  4. I like ice creams. I like cold drinks.
  5. She studied hard. She failed the exam.
  6. It was getting late. We decided to leave.
  7. The match was cancelled. It was raining heavily.
  8. I am bored. I will watch a movie.
  9. Priya will go to Pune. She will meet her sister.
  10. She was happy. She distributed sweets.

Answers: 1. because  |  2. but (or yet)  |  3. yet (or but)  |  4. and  |  5. but  |  6. so  |  7. because  |  8. so  |  9. and  |  10. so

✏️ Quick Practice — Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the most appropriate conjunction: and, but, yet, or, so, because, though, till, unless.

  1. I wanted to go swimming, ________ the pool was closed.
  2. She didn't eat breakfast, ________ she was hungry all morning.
  3. _______ you study hard, you won't pass the exam.
  4. We can go to the cinema ________ stay home to watch TV.
  5. ________ he felt tired, he completed his work.
  6. The child waited patiently ________ his mother returned.
  7. Seema speaks both Hindi ________ Marathi fluently.
  8. The weather was cold, ________ we still went for a walk.
  9. I couldn't sleep last night ________ there was too much noise.
  10. I will stay here ________ you come back.

Answers: 1. but  |  2. so  |  3. Unless  |  4. or  |  5. Though  |  6. till  |  7. and  |  8. yet (or but)  |  9. because  |  10. till

Summary

Conjunctions are essential for building clear, connected sentences. Use and for addition, but for simple contrast, yet or though for surprising contrast, so for results, because for reasons, or for choices, and till/unless for time and conditions. With practice, you’ll start using them naturally in both speaking and writing.