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(and, but, or, that, till, if, etc.), derivative (until, unless, because,
provided, etc.), compound (although, whereas, etc.) and
composite (as if, in order that, as soon as, either ...or, neither ...
nor, etc.).
A variety of English composite conjunctions is the group
of the so called correlative conjunctions which go in pairs: both
... and, either... or, no sooner ... than, etc.
Many conjunctions are homonymous with adverbs and
prepositions (after, since, before), pronouns (that, neither),
particles (supposing, provided).
The lexico-grammatical meaning of conjunctions is an
abstraction from their lexical meanings. The latter are also very
general, abstract and rather weak. Therefore conjunctions can be
treated as semi- notional words.
Regarding the nature of relations they serve to express,
conjunctions are usually divided into two subclasses:
coordinating (and, or, both ... and, etc.) and subordinating (if,
that, as soon as, etc.). The former connect syntactical units which
are equal in rank. The latter are used to show the dependence of
one unit on another. E.g. This is quite clear and the government
admits it. If they did so, their complete fare would be refunded.
The division of conjunctions into coordinating and
subordinating ones is chiefly based on their lexical meanings and
the types of units they connect. According to their meanings
coordinating conjunctions are divided into:
a) copulative (and, both ... and, neither... nor, not only... but
also, as well as, etc.) denoting addition, combination,
interdependence;
b) adversative (but, still, yet, however, nevertheless, etc.)
denoting contradiction;
c) disjunctive (or, either ... or) denoting separation, choice.
In different situations and speech environments
conjunctions may acquire various shades of meaning. The
conjunction and, for instance, connotes "consequence" in The

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