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Parts of Speech : Conjunctions
Click each section below to review the grammar explanation and examples.
A Structure and Paragraph
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses. At CLB 9+, strong speakers and writers should move beyond repeatedly using basic conjunctions such as and, but, so, and or. More advanced conjunctions allow you to express the relationship between ideas more precisely.
Basic vs. Advanced Connections
Basic:
The company expanded its services, and it hired additional employees.
More advanced:
The company not only expanded its services but also hired additional employees.
The company expanded its services, and it hired additional employees.
More advanced:
The company not only expanded its services but also hired additional employees.
Basic:
The proposal would reduce costs, but it could create staffing problems.
More advanced:
Although the proposal would reduce costs, it could create staffing problems.
The proposal would reduce costs, but it could create staffing problems.
More advanced:
Although the proposal would reduce costs, it could create staffing problems.
Basic:
The organization increased staffing, so processing times decreased.
More precise purpose:
The organization increased staffing so that employees could process applications more quickly.
The organization increased staffing, so processing times decreased.
More precise purpose:
The organization increased staffing so that employees could process applications more quickly.
Conjunctions in a Paragraph
The city is considering several changes to its public transportation system. Although the proposed expansion would require substantial funding, officials believe that it could improve transportation throughout the region. The project would not only increase the number of available routes but also reduce overcrowding during peak hours. While some residents support expanding the existing bus network, others believe the city should invest in a light-rail system. The city may either expand the current network or develop an entirely new transportation system. Additional studies will therefore be conducted so that officials can determine which option would provide the greatest long-term benefit.
| Relationship | Useful Structures |
|---|---|
| Addition | both...and, not only...but also, as well as |
| Opposition / Contrast | although, even though, while, whereas, yet |
| Purpose | so that, in order to, so as to |
| Alternatives | either...or, neither...nor, whether...or |
CLB 9+ Tip: Do not choose a conjunction simply because it sounds more formal. Choose it because it expresses the exact relationship between your ideas.
B Addition
Advanced conjunction structures can add related information while showing the relationship between the ideas more precisely than simply using and.
Both ... And
Use both...and when two people, things, qualities, or actions are equally included.
both + X + and + X
●The program both reduced operating costs and improved efficiency.
●The proposal addresses both environmental concerns and financial limitations.
Not Only ... But Also
Use not only...but also to add a second idea with additional emphasis.
not only + X + but also + X
●The policy not only reduced expenses but also improved employee satisfaction.
●The proposed system is not only practical but also affordable.
Parallel Structure
With paired conjunctions, the grammatical structures on both sides should normally match.
both + noun + and + noun
both flexibility and stability
both + gerund + and + gerund
both reducing costs and improving services
not only + adjective + but also + adjective
not only practical but also affordable
both flexibility and stability
both + gerund + and + gerund
both reducing costs and improving services
not only + adjective + but also + adjective
not only practical but also affordable
❌ The program focused on both reducing costs and better service.
✓ The program focused on both reducing costs and improving service.
✓ The program focused on both reducing costs and improving service.
As Well As
As well as adds related information, but the two elements are not necessarily given equal emphasis.
●The organization provides employment services as well as language training.
●The renovation improved accessibility as well as reducing energy consumption.
When as well as joins two subjects, the first subject normally controls the verb.
●The manager, as well as the supervisors, is attending the meeting.
CLB 9+ Tip: With both...and and not only...but also, check that the grammatical structures on both sides are parallel.
C Opposition and Contrast
Instead of repeatedly using but, advanced speakers and writers can choose different conjunctions depending on the type and strength of the contrast.
Although / Even Though
Use although or even though when one idea contrasts with what might normally be expected from another idea.
although / even though + subject + verb
●Although the proposal would reduce costs, it could create staffing problems.
●Even though the company had received several complaints, it continued using the system.
Even though usually expresses a stronger or more surprising contrast than although.
While / Whereas
Use while and whereas to directly compare or contrast two situations, opinions, groups, or characteristics.
●While remote work offers greater flexibility, office work provides more opportunities for direct collaboration.
●The first proposal focuses on reducing costs, whereas the second emphasizes service quality.
Yet
Yet connects two independent clauses when the second idea presents a surprising or unexpected contrast.
independent clause + , yet + independent clause
●The proposal is expensive, yet it could produce substantial long-term savings.
●The organization has limited resources, yet demand for its services continues to increase.
Choosing the Correct Contrast
| Conjunction | Main Use |
|---|---|
| although | unexpected contrast |
| even though | strong unexpected contrast |
| while | comparison or contrast |
| whereas | direct contrast between two facts |
| yet | surprising contrast between independent clauses |
❌ Although the project was expensive, but the city approved it.
✓ Although the project was expensive, the city approved it.
✓ Although the project was expensive, the city approved it.
CLB 9+ Tip: Use although/even though for an unexpected contrast and while/whereas when directly comparing two situations. Use yet when the second independent clause is particularly surprising.
D Purpose, Result, and Alternatives
More advanced structures can express purpose or present alternatives more precisely than simply relying on so and or.
So That
Use so that to introduce a clause explaining the purpose of an action.
so that + subject + verb
●The organization increased staffing so that employees could process applications more quickly.
●The city extended the consultation period so that residents could provide additional feedback.
In Order To
Use in order to followed by a base verb to clearly state the purpose of an action.
in order to + base verb
●The company increased staffing in order to reduce processing times.
●The city introduced additional bus routes in order to improve access to public transportation.
So As To
So as to also expresses purpose. It is generally more formal and less common in everyday conversation.
so as to + base verb
●The organization revised its procedures so as to prevent further delays.
●The committee requested additional evidence so as to make a more informed decision.
Either ... Or
Use either...or to present two alternatives.
either + X + or + X
●The organization can either expand the existing facility or construct a new one.
●Applicants may submit either a passport or a permanent resident card.
Neither ... Nor
Use neither...nor when both alternatives are negative.
neither + X + nor + X
●The proposal would neither reduce costs nor improve service quality.
●Neither the manager nor the supervisors supported the recommendation.
Whether ... Or
Use whether...or when discussing alternatives, possibilities, or uncertainty between different situations.
whether + X + or + X
●The committee must decide whether to renovate the existing facility or construct a new one.
●Whether employees work remotely or in the office, they must follow the same security procedures.
Keep the Structures Parallel
❌ The organization can either expanding the existing facility or construct a new one.
✓ The organization can either expand the existing facility or construct a new one.
✓ The organization can either expand the existing facility or construct a new one.
CLB 9+ Tip: Notice the structural difference: so that + clause, but in order to / so as to + base verb. When presenting alternatives with paired conjunctions, keep both sides grammatically parallel.
E Key Points to Remember
1. Use Parallel Structure with Paired Conjunctions
both...and
both reducing costs and improving services
not only...but also
not only practical but also affordable
either...or
either expand the facility or renovate it
neither...nor
neither reduce costs nor improve efficiency
both reducing costs and improving services
not only...but also
not only practical but also affordable
either...or
either expand the facility or renovate it
neither...nor
neither reduce costs nor improve efficiency
2. Although and Even Though Take Clauses
although / even though + subject + verb
●Although the project was expensive, it was approved.
●Even though demand had decreased, the company continued expanding.
❌ Although the high cost, the project was approved.
✓ Although the project was expensive, it was approved.
✓ Although the project was expensive, it was approved.
3. Use While and Whereas for Direct Comparisons
●While one proposal reduces costs, the other improves accessibility.
●Urban populations are increasing, whereas some rural communities are shrinking.
4. Use Yet for a Surprising Contrast
independent clause + , yet + independent clause
●The program is costly, yet it remains extremely popular.
5. Choose the Correct Purpose Structure
so that + subject + verb
so that employees could prepare
in order to + base verb
in order to reduce costs
so as to + base verb
so as to prevent delays
so that employees could prepare
in order to + base verb
in order to reduce costs
so as to + base verb
so as to prevent delays
6. Know the Meaning of Paired Conjunctions
| Structure | Meaning |
|---|---|
| both...and | two equally included ideas |
| not only...but also | addition with emphasis |
| either...or | two alternatives |
| neither...nor | two negative alternatives |
| whether...or | alternatives or uncertainty |
CLB 9+ Strategy
Step 1 — Identify the relationship between the ideas.
Addition:
both...and / not only...but also / as well as
Opposition or Contrast:
although / even though / while / whereas / yet
Purpose:
so that / in order to / so as to
Alternatives:
either...or / neither...nor / whether...or
Step 2 — Check what comes after the conjunction.
Does the structure require a noun, base verb, phrase, or complete clause?
Step 3 — Check parallel structure.
With paired conjunctions, make sure the grammatical structures match:
not only reducing costs but also improving efficiency
either expand the facility or renovate the building
Step 4 — Choose the conjunction with the most precise meaning.
although → unexpected contrast
whereas → direct comparison or contrast
yet → surprising contrast
so that → purpose + clause
in order to → purpose + base verb
whether...or → alternatives or uncertainty
Addition:
both...and / not only...but also / as well as
Opposition or Contrast:
although / even though / while / whereas / yet
Purpose:
so that / in order to / so as to
Alternatives:
either...or / neither...nor / whether...or
Step 2 — Check what comes after the conjunction.
Does the structure require a noun, base verb, phrase, or complete clause?
Step 3 — Check parallel structure.
With paired conjunctions, make sure the grammatical structures match:
not only reducing costs but also improving efficiency
either expand the facility or renovate the building
Step 4 — Choose the conjunction with the most precise meaning.
although → unexpected contrast
whereas → direct comparison or contrast
yet → surprising contrast
so that → purpose + clause
in order to → purpose + base verb
whether...or → alternatives or uncertainty
Remember: At CLB 9+, stronger conjunctions are not simply replacements for and, but, so, and or. They allow you to communicate addition, contrast, purpose, and alternatives with greater precision.