11+ English · Topic explained
Conjunctions
What's the glue that sticks two ideas into one sentence?
The big idea
A conjunction joins words, phrases or clauses together.
Picture it
Conjunctions are connectors: they click two ideas together, like building bricks.
Key words
- conjunction
- A joining word.
- co-ordinating conjunction
- Joins two equal parts: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
- subordinating conjunction
- Starts a subordinate clause: because, when, although, if, while, until.
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
I like apples and pears.
- and joins apples and pears.
- It's a conjunction.
- 211+ standard
It was raining, but we went out.
- but joins two main clauses.
- Each could stand alone as a sentence.
- 311+ standard
We went out although it was raining.
- although starts a subordinate clause.
- "although it was raining" can't stand alone.
- 411+ standard
Because she was tired, Zara went to bed.
- A subordinating conjunction can start a sentence…
- …as long as a main clause follows, after a comma.
The common mistake
The mistake
You must never start a sentence with because.
Instead
You can, as long as a main clause follows: Because it rained, we stayed in.
Why: "Because it rained." on its own is incomplete: that's the real rule.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Cloze and SPaG questions ask you to pick the conjunction that makes sense, like because or although.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains conjunctions step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Conjunctions worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
Download the worksheet (PDF)Free account needed: it takes a minute.
Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. Choose: "I wore my coat ___ it was cold."
- because
- although
- but
- or
Show the answerHide the answer
because
The cold is the reason for the coat.
2. Which is a co-ordinating conjunction?
- until
- yet
- since
- if
Show the answerHide the answer
yet
Yet is one of FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
3. Choose: "We had a picnic ___ the sky was cloudy."
- although
- because
- so
- unless
Show the answerHide the answer
although
Although shows a contrast: we had a picnic even though it was cloudy.