This page lists 19 conjunctions that start with W, from “When” to “Whichever.” The list includes everyday words, formal terms, and a few old-fashioned forms that still appear in print. People use them to talk about time, place, contrast, choice, and cause when they write essays, emails, stories, and contracts.
Conjunctions are words that join clauses or phrases and show how the ideas in a sentence relate to each other. Some of these words have a famous history. When Juliet asks “wherefore art thou Romeo?” she is asking why he is Romeo, not where he is.
Below you’ll find the table with the columns Conjunction, Definition, Example Usage, and Description.
Conjunction: the word or phrase itself, listed in order of how common and useful it is, so you can quickly find the one you need.
Definition: a short explanation of what the word means and which type of conjunction it is, so you know how it works in a sentence.
Example Usage: a sample sentence that shows the word in context, so you can see how to place it and copy the pattern in your own writing.
Description: a plain-language note about tone, how often the word is used, and when it fits best, so you can choose between similar options.
Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| When | Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause that states the time something happens. | I was cooking dinner when the power went out. |
| Whenever | Subordinating conjunction meaning at any time or every time that something happens. | Whenever it rains, the street floods. |
| While | Subordinating conjunction meaning during the time that, or in contrast with something else. | She read a book while the pasta boiled. |
| Whilst | Subordinating conjunction meaning the same as “while,” used mainly in British English. | He hummed quietly whilst he worked. |
| Where | Subordinating conjunction introducing a clause about a place, situation, or circumstance. | Leave the keys where you found them. |
| Wherever | Subordinating conjunction meaning in or to any place, or in any situation. | You can sit wherever you like. |
| Whereas | Subordinating conjunction used to contrast two facts or to introduce a formal premise. | Tom loves hiking, whereas his brother prefers staying indoors. |
| Whereby | Subordinating conjunction meaning by which, or through which. | They created a system whereby everyone shares the chores. |
| Wherein | Subordinating conjunction meaning in which, or in what way. | The report describes a process wherein errors are caught early. |
| Whereupon | Subordinating conjunction meaning immediately after which. | He finished his speech, whereupon the crowd burst into applause. |
| Whereafter | Subordinating conjunction meaning after which. | The contract was signed, whereafter work began. |
| Wherefore | Conjunction meaning for which reason, or therefore. | The deadline has passed, wherefore no submissions will be accepted. |
| Wheresoever | Subordinating conjunction meaning in any place whatsoever. | She will find friends wheresoever she goes. |
| Whence | Conjunction meaning from which place or source. | He returned to the village whence he came. |
| Whether | Subordinating conjunction introducing alternatives or an indirect yes/no question. | I can’t decide whether to stay or go. |
| Whether…or | Correlative conjunction pair presenting two alternatives that make no difference to the outcome. | Whether you win or lose, we’ll be proud of you. |
| Whether or not | Conjunction phrase meaning regardless of whether something is true or happens. | We’re going to the beach whether or not it rains. |
| Whensoever | Subordinating conjunction meaning at whatever time. | Whensoever you are ready, we shall begin. |
| Whichever | Conjunction-like word meaning any one of a set of choices; works as a relative pronoun or determiner. | Take whichever seat you prefer. |
Descriptions
When
One of the most common time conjunctions in English. It links two events and tells the reader what happened at the same moment or just after.
Whenever
A stronger form of “when” that stresses repetition or “no matter when.” It often describes habits, rules, or patterns.
While
A flexible word that can show two actions happening together or set up a contrast. Context tells you which meaning is intended.
Whilst
A slightly formal or old-fashioned variant of “while.” It is common in British writing but rare in everyday American English.
Where
Links a main clause to a location. It can also refer to a situation, as in “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Wherever
Adds a sense of “no matter where” to a sentence. It gives the listener freedom or describes something that holds true in every location.
Whereas
Used to put two different things side by side. It is also common in legal documents, where it opens the background statements of a contract.
Whereby
A formal word used to explain how something works or what rule makes it happen. You often see it in business and legal writing.
Wherein
A formal and somewhat dated word that points to a place or situation inside something. It connects a noun to a description of what it contains.
Whereupon
Links two events in sequence, with the second following right after the first. It appears mostly in storytelling and formal writing.
Whereafter
A rare, formal word marking what happens next in a sequence. Most writers use “after which” instead because it sounds more natural.
Wherefore
An archaic word now mostly seen in legal texts and older literature. In Shakespeare, “wherefore” actually means “why,” not “where.”
Wheresoever
An old-fashioned, emphatic form of “wherever.” It shows up in formal documents, religious texts, and poetic writing.
Whence
A literary word that already includes the sense of “from,” so “from whence” is technically redundant. It is rare in modern conversation.
Whether
Used when there are two or more possibilities or when something is uncertain. It is often paired with “or” or “or not.”
Whether…or
A paired structure that says the result stays the same either way. The two options should be written in parallel form.
Whether or not
Stresses that an outcome does not depend on a condition. It is a handy way to show that a decision is already made.
Whensoever
A rare and formal version of “whenever.” It is mostly found in older texts, legal language, and religious writing.
Whichever
Often grouped with the “-ever” connectors because it joins a clause to a main sentence. It gives a free choice among a known set of options.