Conjunctions are words that join words or groups of words. Here is a simple example that shows how three separate sentences are joined with the conjunction “and”:

  • I like eating durians.
  • I like eating bananas.
  • I like eating all types of local fruits.

Combine them, and it becomes:

  • I like eating durians, bananas and all types of local fruits.

There are 6 coordinating conjunctions:

F = for (because) – do not be confused with the preposition “for”
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so

Like prepositions, these coordinating conjunctions do not have any specific meanings on their own. They are used to show a relationship between words or to connect sentences.

Examples:

  1. The players were tired, so they had a long break.
  2. He was ashamed for he had lied through his teeth to get what he wanted.

In addition to the single-word conjunctions, other conjunctions come in pairs/threes.

  • both… and
  • neither… nor
  • either… or
  • not only… but… also

Examples:

  1. Both Yassir and Manap are learning to cook.
  2. Neither Yassir nor Manap is learning to cook. = Both are not learning to cook.
  3. Either Yassir or Manap is learning to cook. = Only one of them is learning to cook.
  4. Not only Yassir but Manap is also learning to cook. = Both are learning to cook.