Explanatory Conjunctions – Concept, uses and examples


We explain what explanatory conjunctions are, their function and examples in sentences. Also, other coordinating conjunctions.

explanatory conjunctions
Explanatory conjunctions unite elements that clarify each other.

What are explanatory conjunctions?

In grammar and syntax, certain coordinating conjunctions are known as disjunctive conjunctions or disjunctive links, that is, conjunctions that link two or more syntactic elements in a non-hierarchical and interchangeable way.

Explanatory conjunctions link two elements that have the same meaning and / or meaning but different form, and whose repetition or reiteration fulfills the task of better explaining what is meant, or clarifying some detail of the message that is transmitted.

Generally, explanatory conjunctions are placed between commas, in the manner of a subsection, and there are those who consider them rather a particular case of disjunctives or copulatives. They are examples of explanatory conjunctions: “that is to say”, “this is”, “that is”, “rather”, and so on.

Examples of explanatory conjunctions

Examples of sentences with explanatory conjunctions are the following:

  • My mother paints, that is to say, is dedicated to painting.
  • I have migrant friends, that is to say, who were born in other countries.
  • The government opted for a tax hike, I mean, Increase taxes.
  • I’m going to buy stocks I mean, to invest my capital.
  • We need more auditors, this is, more control over finances.
  • My sister has a bad temper this is, gets angry easily.
  • The problem is gone, or rather, we solved it.

Other coordinating conjunctions

Apart from explanatory conjunctions, there are the following types of coordinating conjunctions:

  • Copulative conjunctions, which link two or more terms from an addition or accumulation relationship. For example: “I am hungry and there is no food “or” I did not buy the books, neither the notebooks, neither the pencils”.
  • Disjunctive conjunctions, which introduce a relationship of mutual exclusion, that is, of choice between one and the other, between the linked elements. For example: “Do you want to order a pizza or do we cook something? ”.
  • Adverse conjunctions, which introduce a relationship of total or partial opposition or conflict between the linked elements. For example: “It is summer, but is cool”.
  • Distributive conjunctions, which distribute a specific meaning between the linked terms. For example: “I love to eat sushi, be for lunch, be for dinner ”.