There are many types of conjunctions in English, each serving a different purpose. The most common conjunctions are and, or, but, so, yet, and nor.
And is used to connect two things that are similar or related:
The snowplow came by and cleared the driveway.
I’m making lunch and dinner.
Or is used to give someone a choice:
Do you want tea or coffee?
I’ll take the bus or walk to school.
But is used to connect two things that are different:
The snowplow came by but didn’t clear the driveway.
I’m making lunch, but won’t be home for dinner.
So is used to show the result of something:
The snow was heavy, so the power went out.
I’m hungry, so I’m going to make lunch.
Yet is used to show that something is still true, even though something else is also true:
The snow was heavy, yet the power stayed on.
I’m still hungry, even though I just ate lunch.
Nor is used to connect two negative things:
I don’t like tea and I don’t like coffee.
We didn’t see the movie, and we didn’t go to the restaurant.
There are also many other types of conjunctions that are used less frequently, such as:
If – used to show a condition
Unless – used to show a negative condition
Because – used to show a reason
Whether – used to introduce two choices
Though – used to introduce a contrast
Even though – used to introduce a strong contrast
Although – used to introduce a contrast
As – used to show when two things happen at the same time
Since – used to show when one thing happens after another
Until – used to show when one thing happens before another
While – used to show when two things happen at the same time
Whenever – used to show when one thing happens after another