Conjunction

kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən

nounBeginner📊CommonLanguage
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.

kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən

nounneutralBeginner
Language

A word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause.

She used the conjunction 'but' to introduce a contrasting idea.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building with LEGOs. A conjunction is like the little connector pieces that hold different blocks together. For example, 'and' is like a connector: 'I like apples and bananas.' It connects two things!

👶 For kids: A word that puts other words together, like 'and' or 'but'.

More Examples

2

The sentence contains a coordinating conjunction: 'and'.

3

Learning about conjunctions is important for understanding how sentences are structured.

How It's Used

Grammar

"The conjunction 'and' joins two independent clauses."

Literature

"The author skillfully employed conjunctions to build complex sentence structures."

2

The act or instance of two or more things occurring or existing together.

kənˈdʒʌŋkʃən

nounneutralIntermediate
Science

The occurrence of events or conditions in space or time.

The astronomers observed a rare conjunction of the planets.

💡 Simply: Imagine two stars appearing close together in the night sky. That close meeting is like a conjunction – things happening at the same time or in the same place.

👶 For kids: When two things are close together or happen at the same time.

More Examples

2

The artist captured the emotional conjunction of the characters.

3

A solar conjunction occurs when Earth and another planet are aligned on the same side of the sun.

How It's Used

Astronomy

"The conjunction of Venus and Jupiter was visible in the evening sky."

Astrology

"The astrologer noted the conjunction of the planets in the birth chart."

Tip:Think of things coming together in a 'junction'.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

From Latin *coniunctiō* ('a joining together'), from *coniungere* ('to join together'), from *con-* ('together') + *iungere* ('to join').

The term 'conjunction' has been used in grammar since the 14th century. Its usage has been consistent across centuries.

Memory tip

Think of a 'junction' - where things meet. A conjunction connects words, phrases or clauses to each other.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to join together"

coordinating conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionastronomical conjunctionplanetary conjunction

Common misspellings

conjuntionconjuction

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written