
## Why Use a Conjunction Checker?

<img width="100%" alt="Conjuction checker" src="/conjunction-checker/Conjuction-checker.webp">

_INK's Conjunction Checker_

**Conjunctions**are essential in English, and we use them every day.
**INK Conjunction Checker tool** can help identify these words in
sentences.

**Main Takeaways**:

- **Conjunctions** refer to words that join other words or sentences
  together.
- The three types of **conjunctions** are **coordinating**,
  **subordinating**, and **correlative conjunctions**.
- Some examples of **coordinating conjunctions** include for, and,
  nor, and but.
- Common **subordinating conjunctions** include as if, because, if
  only, and unless.
- Examples of **correlative conjunctions** are either/or, neither/nor,
  both/and, to name a few.
- **Conjunctive adverbs** are **adverbs** that act like
  **conjunctions**.
- **INK Conjunction Checker** can help identify conjunctions in
  sentences.

Imagine that the words in the [English
language](https://blog.inkforall.com/difficult-words) are in two cate
gories. The first category of words can exist alone. They don't need to
connect with other words to have a meaningful life.

On the other hand, words in the second category are only happy when
mixed with different words. Their purpose is to bring two parts of a
sentence together.

That's why they're called joiner words or **conjunctions**.

In this post, you'll learn what **conjunctions** are in the English
language and the types. We'll also consider some common examples. In the
end, you'll find out how the **INK Conjunction Checker** can help
identify these words.

Let's jump right it.

## What is a Conjunction?

A **conjunction** is a part of speech that's used to connect other words,
**phrases**, **clauses**, or sentences. **There** are three kinds of
conjunctions in the English language that serves each distinct purpose.
These are **coordinating**, **subordinating**, and
**correlative** conjunctions. We can use these joiner words as a single
word or in pairs. For example and, but, and or are single words, while
either/or, neither/nor, are conjunction pairs.

**Conjunctions** provide a smooth link between ideas. So, instead of
creating short, choppy sentences, we can create longer sentences that
don't sound awkward.

## What are the Types of Conjunctions and Examples?

### Coordinating Conjunctions

**Coordinating conjunctions** join two or more sentences, **main
clauses**, words, or other parts of speech. We can also define
**coordinators** as single words that connect similar **words**,
**phrases**, or **elements**.

One way to remember this type of conjunction is through the acronym
FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

**Examples**:

- I bought a pair of new sneakers **for** my upcoming marathon
- He loves both Marvel Comics **and** DC comics
- Neither Peter **nor** Miles attended this year's convention

In the first sentences above, the **conjunction**"for" points at a
reason or purpose. Meanwhile, "and" connects or combines two or more
separate things. The word "nor" in the last sentence indicates a
negative ideal to another pre-existing negative idea.

**Examples**:

- He wanted to buy the ring, **but** it was too pricey.
- Do you prefer tea **or** coffee?
- I listen to Coldplay every day, **yet** I don't know the lead
  singer's name.
- He practiced so hard so that he would make the team this year.

In the sentence above, "but" and "yet" helps combine two or more
contrasting ideas. While "or" presents an alternative to an existing
idea. "So" indicates the effect or result of an occurrence.

As a general rule, **coordinating conjunctions** never come at the
beginning of a sentence.

### Subordinating Conjunctions

**Subordinating conjunction** is also called a subordinate or
**dependent word**, and it links a **dependent clause** to an
**independent clause**.

An **independent clause** can stand alone. In other words, it doesn't
need additional information to exist as a sentence.

**Example**:

- Charles was late to the party.

A **dependent clause**, on the other hand, adds more information to the
**main clause**. Since these clauses cannot stand by themselves, their
meaning depends entirely on the **independent clause**.

**Example**:

- because he misplaced his car keys

The phrase above is a **dependent clause** and doesn't provide any
useful information. However, we can use a **subordinating conjunction**
to combine the two examples for a detailed picture of the event.

**Example**:

- Charles was late to the party because he misplaced his car keys.

Other examples of subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as
if, if, if only, unless, till, until, than, that, so that, among others.

### Correlative Conjunctions

**Correlative conjunctions** work in pairs to join **phrases** or words
that carry equal importance within a sentence.

Think of **correlative conjunctions** as a tag-team. They are usually
two words, and you have to use both words in different parts of a
sentence to make them work. Some **correlative conjunctions** include
"both/and," "either/or, "neither/nor," and "not only/[but
also](https://blog.inkforall.com/not-only-but-also)."

**Examples**:

- You can **either** drive the car **or**ride the bike to your
  destination.
- **Whether** we win **or** lose today, we'll walk away as champions.
- She loves France **not only** for the language **but also** the
  culture.

Like **coordinating conjunctions**, **correlative conjunctions** also
join roughly equal sentence fragments.

### Conjunctive Adverbs

**Conjunctive adverbs** act like **conjunction**; however, they're
**adverbs**.

A typical adverb modifies other
[**verbs**](https://blog.inkforall.com/verb-tenses),
[**adjectives**](https://blog.inkforall.com/adjectives), and other
**adverbs**. **Conjunctive adverbs**, on the other hand, modify two
**independent clauses** and join them into a sentence.

Unlike the **subordinating conjunction**, a **conjunctive adverb**
brings two complete thoughts together to form a sentence. In other
words, each clause can exist on its own as a separate sentence.

As such, **conjunctive adverbs** just serve as a smooth transition from
one thought to the next. Some examples include in addition, furthermore,
also, likewise, however, instead, for example, namely, among others.

**Examples**:

- You need to practice hard; **otherwise**, you'll lose the game.
- John was determined to pass the test; **nevertheless**, he failed.
- I have a dentist appointment; **in addition**, I have to buy some
  groceries.

In the examples above, note that a
[**semicolon**](https://blog.inkforall.com/semicolon-tattoo) comes after
the first clause. Then, there's a **comma** after the **conjunctive
adverb**. That's because **conjunctive adverb** needs some punctuation
to join two clauses.

Before exploring how you can benefit from using a **conjunction
checker**, let's consider one more subheading.

## How to Use Conjunctions in Sentences

<img width="100%" alt="How to use conjunctions in sentences" src="/conjunction-checker/how-to-use-conjunctions-in-sentences.webp">

### All Parts of the Sentence Must Agree

We use **conjunctions** to connect two separate thoughts, actions, or
ideas. So, all parts of the sentence must agree.

**Example**:

- You need to study hard; **and**, you'll fail the exam.

Although the conjunction joined both independent clauses, it doesn't
agree with the sentence. The correct sentence should be:

- You need to study hard; **otherwise**, you'll fail the exam.

### Using Commas with Conjunctions

If a **coordinating conjunction** is joining two **independent clauses**
together, it needs to have a
[**comma**](https://blog.inkforall.com/how-to-use-commas).

**Example**:

- Soap operas are a wonderful escape, but they interfere with my work.

When a **dependent clause** precedes an **independent** clause in a
sentence, a **comma** is necessary to separate the two **clauses**.
However, if the **independent clause** comes first, a
[comma](https://blog.inkforall.com/comma-before-and) becomes
unnecessary.

### Starting a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction

You may have heard that it's incorrect to begin a sentence with a
**coordinating conjunction**. While this is a generally accepted
guideline, it's not a hard and fast rule of grammar.

Yes, you should limit the use of **coordinating conjunctions** at the
beginning of sentences. However, it's not incorrect to start your
sentences with these joiner words, especially when breaking long
sentences into understandable chunks.

### Use Subordinating Conjunctions Sparingly

There's no rule about how often writers should use **subordinating
conjunctions**. But, using these words too much in a text could make you
sound repetitive and inexperienced.

Experienced writers understand that **subordinating conjunctions** are a
grammatical device. As with any other tool, you should only use them
when necessary.

That's where a **conjunction checker** comes in.

## Benefits of Using INK Conjunction Checker

<img width="100%" alt="Benefits of using ink conjuction checker" src="/conjunction-checker/benefits-of-using-ink-conjuction-checker.webp">

**INK Conjunction Checker** helps identify all the **conjunctions** in
your writing.

You may want to identify the joiner words in your sentences for reasons
that vary from reducing its use to checking for agreement. Whatever your
reason may be, the **INK Conjunction checker** will let you know the
number of **conjunctions** in your text.

It's easy to use. Paste your writing in the text editor box, and click
the "Check" icon.

### Read More: [What Is A Comma Splice And How Can You Fix It?](https://blog.inkforall.com/comma-splice)
