Conjunction

ENGLISH

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Conjunction

Conjunctions are the words that glue the words with words, Subject with Subjects, Part of
Sentence with parts of Sentences, Sentences with Sentences. They assist in conjoin the speech
or parts of a language.

Placing of Conjunctions in a sentence:

 Subject1+Conjunction+Subject2+Verb+Object

 Subject1+verb+Object+Conjunction+Subject2+verb+object

Examples of Conjunction placing.

 John and Mary are known for their hard work.

 John is known for his hard work but Mary is known for her procrastination.

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Building blocks of Conjunction

 Other than, the types of conjunctions,
they have been categorized on the basis
on linguistic semantic structure.

Additives
 Adds: And, also, as well, either…or,
neither…nor, as well, or, else.

 Introduces: For instances, to illustrate, in particular.

 Reference: Speaking about, considering, regarding, the fact that.

 Similarity: In the same way, equally, likewise, in a like manner.

 Identification: Namely, specifi cally.

 Clarify/Elaboration: that is to say, to put it in this way, in another way, in other

words.

Adversative
 Signal Contrast: But, by the way, while, on the other hand, in contrast to, still.

 Emphasis: even more, above all, indeed, besides.

 Concession: But even so, above all, indeed, however, nevertheless, however.

 Dismissal: either way, in either way, whichever happens, even supposing.

 Replacement/correction: or at least, rather, instead.

Casual
 Cause/Reason: in the view of, as, since, for, for the reason that, because of,
as.

 Condition: on condition, provided that, if, provided that, unless.

 Effect/Reason: henceforth, thus, in result of, as a consequence.

 Purpose: for the purpose of, in the hope of that, so that, in order that.

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 Consequence: under the circumstance of, if not, that being the case.

 Respective: in respect to, otherwise, apart from that, in other respects.

Sequential- logical or chronological sequence

 Ordinal: first, fi rstly, to begin with, to start with, to commence with.

 Continuation: then, next, in support of, moreover, furthermore, subsequently .

 Resumption: to get back to the point, to resume, anyhow, anyway.

 Conclusion: to conclude, as a fi nal point, eventually, at last, in the end, fi nally.

 Digression: to change the top, by the way, incidentally.

 Summation: to summarize, altogether, to put it in brief.

Conjunctions VS. Connectors

 Things to consider while knowing the difference between Conjunctions and
Connectors.

Definition Usage Examples

 She does not like parties but she

 Used to conjoin a sentence or a loves enjoys.
part of a sentence.  She failed because she did not
 Conjunctions relay on the study.

Conjunctions
knowledge, the reader already  They love to read and write
know. together although they have
 Conjunctions imply or carry different set of ideas.
forward the same idea.  Sam as well as his parents
 They do not begin any new idea. planned for a vacation to
Bahamas.

 Used for proceeding the

 However, the staff was rude to
statement not for the assumed
her, she has always loved to go
Connectors knowledge of readers
to the same place.
 Connectors are used for the
 Eventually, this too shall pass
separation of ideas.

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Few examples to consider!

Connector: Cars are expensive, moreover, they pollute the environment.

Conjunctions: Cars are expensive and they pollute the environment.

Conjunctions in Language History

 The language properties of Conjunctions has shown variations over time.

 Conjunctions have been encoded in language to add relation between syntax in 18th
century.

 Since 17th century onward, writers used Conjunctions to connect one idea to
another, to write crisp to progress readers from one significant idea to another.

 In 18th century, conjunctions have been categorized as ‘semantic resource of

language’.

 Since 18th century onwards, Conjunctions have been found in relating similarity
between or among many objects and subjects.

The use of Conjunctions in English

language:
 To avoid choppy sentences.

 To avoid redundancy or repetition.

 For better elaboration and understanding of Language.

 The conjunctions also elucidate the knowledge of Idiomatic phrases as some of

them are used as ‘As well as’, ‘provided that’.

 To help in different competitive examinations like SSC, banking and other.

 To help in Reading comprehensions and Cloze tests.

 To help in relating one idea with another.

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Types of Conjunctions
 Coordinating conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions are words that conjoin
sentences with sentences, phrases with phrases, clauses with clauses, subjects
with subjects. The examples of correlative conjunctions are: For, and, nor, but, or,
yet, so.

Memory Tip
Remember these coordinating conjunctions as ‘FANBOYS’, an acronym.

Exception
Exception: ‘But’ and ‘Yet’, both are additive conjunctions, often confused with each
other. But both have different functions to perform. ‘But’ allows the statement to proceed
and supports. ‘Yet’ injects a degree of ‘contradiction’.

Examples:

 This batch of mushroom stew is savory and delicious.

 We should hate to waste a drop of water, for it is expensive and valuable

these days.

 I will stay outdoor with friends, or will go home in a while.

Coordinating conjunctions with commas

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Memory Tip
Ensure that a coordinating conjunction is immediately followed by a main clause. Do not
begin a sentence with coordinating conjunction.
Example:
 Incorrect: But I don’t like tea, I like coffee.
 Correct: I don’t like tea, but I like coffee.

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Exception
Commas should not be used after coordinating conjunctions to open the sentence un-
less an interrupter immediately follows.

 Subordinating conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions allow and

introduces a subordinating or dependent clause. They glues an independent clause
with a dependent clause. Out of all the conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions are
the most tricky to follow and identify.

Note: ‘Independent clause’ is a clause that does not need any other clause to
complete the sentence. They are independent on their own. ‘She did not study’ is
an independent clause.

‘Dependent clause’ is a clause that needs clause or a sentence to support for its
completion. ‘Because she did not study’ is a dependent clause.

Few examples of Subordinating conjunctions are: Although, though, however, as, as

long as, once, since, when, while, if, where.

Exception
‘Subordinating conjunctions’ and ‘Relative pronouns’ are often confused with.
Subordinating conjunctions do not act as the subject of a dependent clause, relative
pronouns do.
To explain this, ‘John is the boy who came last night to the party’
John is the boy is an independent clause
Who came last night to the party is a dependent clause
‘who’ relates, hence, is a relative pronoun.
We talked about the movies and drama while we ate.
‘We talked about the movies and drama’ is an independent clause.
‘While we ate’ is an additive to the sentence.
‘while’ supports or ‘adds’, hence, a subordinating conjunction.

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Exception
It is believed that ‘Because’ never begins a sentence. Because is a ‘subordinating
sentence’ and begins a sentence.

Structure for subordinating conjunctions to use in a sentence

 Independent clause+ Subordinating clause+ Dependent clause

 Conjunction + Dependent clause+ Independent clause

Common Mistake
‘Therefore’ is not a connector. It is mistaken as conjunction.

Correlative Conjunctions: Name them as ‘Tag-team’ conjunctions or ‘Split

conjunctions’, the work they do is the same! They get their
names from the fact that they work together. They split
themselves in a sentence and conjoin themselves with
different parts of a sentence to make them relative.

Few examples to consider!

 Either…or: expresses a choice between two subjects/

objects.

For example: Either he or she works meticulously.

 Neither…nor: expresses a negation between choice/choices.

For example: Neither he nor she works meticulously.

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 No sooner …than: One thing happened immediately another.

For example: No sooner did she arrive home than he came.

 Scarcely/Hardly/Rarely/Barely…when/before: Same idea expressed further.

For example: Scarcely had I come home when my parents reached.

 Whether…or: When two alternatives are possible.

For example: Whether my parents or Sally's parents will go on a vacation.

 Not only…but also: Considering both the options.

For example: Not only John but also Mary have decided to be determined about
it.

Structure of Correlative conjunctions

 Subject+ Not only+ verb +but also+ verb+ object

 Subject+ either + verb+ or+ verb+ object

 Either+ subject+ Or+ subject + verb + object

 No sooner did+……. + than+……

 Hardly/Scarcely had+…..when+…….

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Memory Tip
When using ‘Not only…but also’, sentence parallelism of construction should be
kept in mind.

For example

 (Incorrect) He is not only intelligent but he also has a great sense of humor.

 (Correct) He is not only intelligent but also humorous.

(The sentence parallelism construction on the basis of Tenses)

Testbook Trick
To identify correlative conjunction, look for split in a sentence.

 Note: ‘Compound conjunctions’ are called compound as they are made of the
assimilation of two or more conjunctions. The examples of Compound
conjunctions in English grammar are: ‘as much as’, ‘as soon as, ‘As well as’.

Adverbial Conjunctions
 A conjunct, a transitional conjunction, a cohesive conjunction, whatever it may be.
They are also known as these.

 The basic function of adverbial conjunctions is to provide a relation between two

sequential statements.

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Memory Tip
They are commonly placed in the beginning of the main clause.

 They are usually followed by a comma.

 It may follow a semicolon.

Adverbial conjunction Examples

Accordingly She does what is told to accordingly.
Again They again visited their grandparent’s home.
Also Sally works and studies also.
Anyway How are you, anyway?
Anyhow We all have to do what we are told, anyhow!
Certainly We certainly are planning to enjoy after work.
Besides What does she do besides studying?
Consequently Consequently, it is humanity that we all are.
Moreover Moreover, it is Saturday!

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Points to Remember
 Conjunctions are cohesive devices.
 Conjunctions are 3 in usage, and 5 on the basis of semantic structure.
 Correlative conjunctions are always used and identified in pairs.
 Compound conjunctions are made of the assimilation of two or more conjunctions.
 Coordinating conjunctions can be recognized as ‘F.A.N.B.O.YS.’
 Correlative conjunctions to be used with the same part of speech.
 Conjunctions are used as Additives, Adversatives, Casual, and Sequential.
 Conjunctions and Connectors are two different concepts to study.
 Adverbial conjunctions relates two or more sequential statements.

Rule #1: Rule of Comma

 Always use a comma before the coordinating conjunctions when it is used to
connect two independent clauses.

 For example:

 Tom walked his dog, and he grabbed the mail.

 When using a coordinating conjunction to connect two items, do not use a comma.

 For example:

 Tom walked his dog and grabbed the main.

 When using a coordinating conjunction to list the items, the usage of a comma is
before a coordinating conjunction is optional.

 For example:

 She can cook potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots.

 She can cook potatoes, tomatoes and carrots.

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Rule #2:
 The conjunction ‘Both’ is followed by ‘And’.

 For example:

 Both eggs and ham is a stable food of western culture.

Rule #3: Usage of ‘LEST’

 Lest is used when in a sentence speaker thinks to avoid something.

 For example:

 Don’t push people too hard lest you hurt relationships.

Rule #4: Usage of ‘so..as’

 ‘So..as’ as a conjunction is used to show similarity between two objects, people, or
subjects. This combination is used in negative sentences only.

 For example:

 She is not so intelligent as her sister is.

Rule #5: Usage of ‘as..as’

 ‘as..as’ as a conjunction is used to show similarity between two objects, people, or
subjects. Unlike “so...as” this combination can be used in both positive and
negatives sentences

 For example:

 She is as intelligent as her sister is.

 She is not as intelligent as her sister is.

Rule #6: Use of “LEST”

 ‘Lest’ should follow ‘should’ and ‘first form of verb’

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 For example:

 Walk carefully lest you may fall.

Rule #7: Unless and Until /Till

Avoid using “not” and “future tense” after “Unless, Until or Till”.

 For example:

 She will not succeed unless she will not work hard for it. (Incorrect)

 She will not succeed unless she works hard for it. (Correct)

Rule #8: Pairing of “Whether —— or”

Always use “or with whether”

For example:

 I am doubtful whether he will come back or not.

 I am not sure whether he will pass or fail.

Rule #9: Pairing of “Although/Though” with “yet” or “comma”

Always use “a comma” or “yet” to join the sentence if started with “although” or
“though”

For Example

 Although Rahul is rich yet he is unpopular among the masses.

 Though he is hard working, he fails in business.

Rule #10: Usage of ‘Neither—-nor”, “Either —- or” & “Not only —-

but also”
 These correlative conjunctions to be followed in their definite pairs only.

 For example:

 Not only she but also he planned for a movie.

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 Rajan talked neither to me nor to him.

 Either come with me or leave the channel.

Rule #11: After rather/other, than follows

 After the usage of Rather and Other, than always follow in a sentence.

 For example:

 I would rather die than beg.

Rule #12: ‘Seldom or never’/‘Seldom if ever’ instead ‘seldom or

ever’/ ‘seldom if never’
 ‘Seldom or never’ and ‘Seldom if ever’ are definite constructions. Using ‘Seldom or
ever’ or ‘seldom if never’ is an incorrect usage.

 For example:

 The national networks seldom or never telecast good programs.

Rule #13: Between…….and

 Often mistaken with preposition “to”

 For example:

 This train runs between Delhi and Mumbai.

Rule #14: What with…...and

 This combination is used to introduce the part of a sentence that indicates the cause
of something

 For example:

 What with school and sports, she's always busy.

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Rule #15: Although/Though…...yet/,

 Used to mention contraction

 For example:

 Though Rahul Gandhi is opulent yet is unpopular among youths.

Rule #16: Such…...that

 For example:

 The teacher looked at the boy in such anger that he began to cry.

More Rules
Rule #17: Difference between “that” and “if” as a conjunction.
Note 1: “IF” must be used when there is uncertainty or doubt.

 For example:

 I do not know if he will pass.

 I suspect if they can blame on them.

 Scientists doubt if this formula will work.

(We have used “if” as a conjunction because we are NOT confirmed or sure about the second
clause.)

Note 2: “THAT” should be used when there is certainty.

 For example:

 I know that this is true.

 I am sure that you will get a government job one day.

(We have used “that” as a conjunction because we are confirmed or sure about the second
clause)

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Rule #18: Balancing of co-relative conjunctions:

“Either—- or”, “Neither—-nor” & “Not only —- but also”
The given above pairing should be placed before the same part of speech.
For example:
 Not only Dams save water but also energy. (Incorrect)
Dams save not only water but also energy. (Correct)
 Rekha neither discussed with me nor with him. (Incorrect)
Rekha discussed neither with me nor with him. (Correct)
 She has either done this or her sisters did. (Incorrect)
Either she has done this or her sister did. (Correct)

Rule #19: As if / As though

If two clauses are joined with conjunction “as if” or “as though” then the second clause is
always written in Subjunctive mood.
(NOTE: Subjunctive Mood = Simple Past Plural)
For example:
 She behaves as if she were a land lady. (Subjunctive mood = were)
 He is speaking as though he knew everything. (Subjunctive mood = knew)

Common Mistake
Use of “were” after “singular subject” is correct in the above example.
It is important to note that in “Subjunctive Mood”, We always use “were” instead of “was” no
matter the subject is singular or plural.

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Rule #20 Pairing of If —— then/,

If a sentence begins with “if” the next clause is joined with “then” or “a comma”
Examples
 If you work smart, you will get success.
 If they do not help me then I won’t be able to pay them.

Rule #21: Difference between “because”, “since” & “as”

“Because” is used for ‘strong reasons’, “Since” is used for ‘moderate reason’ & “as” is
used to show ‘light reasons’.
Examples
 He did not come to school because he was suffering from fever.
 He did not come to school since the weather was foggy.
 He did not come to school as he was not in mood.

Let’s Practice!
Spot the error in the given context.

Question 1. Have you decided to go to the States or remain in

India?

Solution:

A question is being asked about a choice, so the correct correlative

conjunction is- 'whether....or'.

The correct sentence is--Have you decided whether to go to the

States or remain in India?

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Question 2: As if he talks he is a well-educated man.

The subordinating conjunction 'as if' means 'as though' and is usually written as --
subject + were+ complement.

The 2 clauses--' he talks ' + 'he is a well-educated man'.

The first clause connects to the second with 'as if', since the 2nd clause is the
reasoning of the first clause.

The correct sentence is -- He talks as if he is a well-educated man.

Question 3: Because he was teaching, he was also learning.

'Because' is subordinating conjunction, used to mean--'for the reason that'; 'since'.

The given sentence is talking about 'time' as 2 actions were going on simultaneously.

So the correct conjunction would be -- 'while'.

The correct sentence is -- While he was teaching, he was also learning.

Question 4: She ran as fast as she could she was late for school lest.

Lest is subordinating conjunction used for negatives to mean-- in order that......not'

Lest means 'for fear that'; 'in case'.

So the correct way of writing the given sentence is--She ran as fast as she could lest
she was late for school.

Question 5: He is both sweet-natured but intelligent.

The conjunction 'both' is always followed by 'and' as it connects 2 words of the same
level.

In the given sentence 'but' is incorrectly used.

'But is normally used to show contrast.

In the given sentence it should be--He is both sweet-natured and intelligent.

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Question 6: Wherever it was early in the morning, I went for a walk.

'Wherever' is subordinating conjunction.

A subordinating conjunction joins a simple sentence to an incomplete clause which

depends on it to make complete sense.

Some other subordinating conjunctions are--because, before, after, when since etc.

The main clause is --'I went for a walk' and the subordinating clause is 'it was early
morning' they are joined by 'wherever'.

The conjunction does not fit the context [as it can mean-- in any place there was early
morning].

The conjunction that will be right here is-- 'as' / 'because' / 'since'.

The correct sentence can be written as -

1- Since it was early in the morning, I went for a walk.

2- Because it was early in the morning, I went for a walk.

3- As it was early in the morning, I went for a walk.

Question 7: We went to meet him so he wasn't at home.

The conjunction 'so' is a coordinating conjunction. F-A-N-B-O-Y-S [ for-and-nor-but-or

-yet-so]

Coordinating conjunctions join the clauses of the same rank. i.e. a simple sentence
to a simple sentence.

The given sentence has 2 simple sentences joined by the conjunction 'so'.[ which is
used to show cause, result]

However, according to the context of the sentence, it should be 'but' as the first
part talks about going to meet and the second part about him not being present.

As both are contrasting the correct conjunction will be 'but'.

The correct sentence is--We went to meet him but he wasn't at home.

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Question 8: Unless you do not register your car it will have to be scrapped.

'Unless' means 'if not'-- since it is negative, adding another negative 'not' is
grammatically incorrect.

The given sentence has-- 'unless...not'

The given sentence can be written correctly in two ways:

1--Unless you register your car it will have to be scrapped.

2- If you do not register your car it will have to be scrapped.

Question 9: She wanted to either eat a hamburger or a subway sandwich.

'Either....or is co-relative conjunction. [I.e. a pair of joining words that connects 2

words, phrases or clauses--either..Or/ neither...nor etc.].

When joining 2 clauses/ nouns with co-relative conjunction it needs to be

written immediately before the word it relates to.

In the given sentence the conjunction relates to 2 nouns -'hamburger' and 'subway
sandwich'.

So the conjunction should be placed immediately before these nouns.

[ either+noun ....or+ noun]

The correct sentence is---She wanted to eat either a hamburger or a subway

sandwich.

Fill in the blanks with the suitable option given:

1. The air quality in the Capital had shown signs of improvement on Monday as it
moved from ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ category, _____ experts said it could deteriorate
in the coming days due to toxic air coming out of the blazing fire at Bhalswa landfill
site.

Ans: But

Explanation: The given blank needs a coordinating conjunction to join the two
independent clauses - 'the air quality... category' and 'experts .... site'. Hence 'because'
is negated as it joins the dependent clause to the independent clause. 'And' is used
when both clauses are not in contrast while 'or' is used to refer to choose when two
clauses try to gain more importance.

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The given sentence has two independent clauses that are equal in importance
but contrast with each other so the correct conjunction to join them is 'but'.

3. India is the second most populous country ______ the seventh largest country by
area in the world.

Ans: And

Explanation: While, how, but are used for expressing comparison or

contradiction. But the sentence is about the continuation or expression of two different
facts regarding India one after the other. So “and” should be used here.

4. You can’t pass the IELTS exam _______ you study hard for it, as it is a tough exam
to pass.

Ans: Unless

Explanation: A condition is shown here and hence requires an adverb that will
show a contrast.

5. More than thirty years have now passed ______ I took my first flight.

Ans: Since

Explanation: ‘Since’ in this context has been used as a replacement of ‘because’.

Hence, ‘since’ is the appropriate option here.

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