Conjunctions

Conjunctions or joining words

A conjunction is a part of speech that enables us to connect two words, sentences, phrases or clauses together. 

Example: but, and, for, nor, or, yet, because, for, so, either, therefore, either, neither, if, although, whereas, after, before, till, whereas, since, unless, until, when, where, while etc.

Types of conjunctions

There are three major types of conjunctions:

1) Coordinating Conjunction
2) Subordinating Conjunction
3) Correlative Conjunction

(1) Coordinating Conjunction

A coordinating conjunction joins words, phrases or clauses having similar grammatical structure. There are 7 types of coordinating conjunctions used in English Grammar: But, Or, So, And, For, Nor, Yet.

But – It is generally used to show a contrast between two clauses.
Or – Is used to suggest an option or alternative.
So –This word is used to show the consequence or result of something
And – It is used when two similar clauses or points are made.
For – Is used to explain the ‘why’ in a situation.
Nor – It is used about similar two items but in the negative sense.
Yet – Is used to show a contrast in spite of something.

Examples

1) I like sugar in my tea, but I don’t.

2) I like oats but my sister likes cornflakes.

3) He not only plays the guitar but also the drums.

4) Would you like meat or vegetables for lunch.

5) You can have chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

6) The treasure was hidden in the cave or in the underground.

7) It is rainy today, so take your umbrella.

8) The children forgot their homework, so the teacher was angry with them.

9) It was very warm, so we all went swimming.

10) Listen to the question and answer in complete sentences.

11) I’ve a brother and a sister.

12) Pizza and burgers are my favourite snacks.

13) She must have been very hungry, for she ate everything immediately.

14) He’s overweight, for he eats too many cakes and biscuits.

15) She requested him for help but he didn’t help her.

16) She doesn’t like coffee, nor does she like tea.

17) Tina doesn’t eat cake, nor does he eat biscuits.

18) Neither my brother nor my sister own a car.

19) He is overweight, yet he continues to eat lots of junk food.

20) He’s seventy-two, yet he still  plays football regularly.

21) I always take a book to the beach, yet I never seem to turn a single page.

(2) Subordinating Conjunction

Subordinating conjunctions are those that connect a main (independent) clause and a subordinate (dependent) clause. A main clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. The subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence as it does not give complete meaning. It depends on main clause to give complete meaning.

The various subordinating conjunctions are although, because, before,  if, how, since, once,  till, until, where, when, whenever,  whether, after, while, no matter how, provided that, as soon as, even if, than, that, as, as much as, unless, who, whom, 

Examples

1) They climbed the mountain although it was very windy .

2) Although It is raining, it is too hot today.

3) Rohan is  very tall, although he’s not as tall as his father.

4) We are not going to the bank because it is closed .

5) Because it is so cold outside, I brought you a jacket.

6) All the shops were closed today because it was a public holiday.

7) Brush your teeth before you go to bed.

8) The farmer milked the cow before going to town.

9) Did he say anything before he left?

10) If he doesn’t change his attitude, he’ll lose his job.

11) You will got the prize if you deserve it.

12)  If you avoid junk foods, you will lose your weight.

13) I have been so busy since i started my job.

14) I think I’ll stay home and watch a film, since it’s raining.

15) Mike has been promoted twice since he joined the company.

16) They played football until it got dark.

17) You’re not watching TV until you finish your dinner.

18) We have to wait until he arrives.

19) She is very funny whereas he is boring.

20) I am poor, whereas my brother is rich.

21) The South has a hot climate whereas North has a cold climate.

22) No matter how beautiful she is, I won’t marry her.

23) I won’t give you his phone number, no matter how much you insist and repeat your request.

24) No matter how rich he is, he never lends us any money.

25) I won’t go to the party unless she invites me.

26) I don’t want to give that number to anyone unless it’s an emergency.

27) We won’t get a table at the restaurant unless we get there early.

28) As soon as he finished his work, he went out.

29) I’ll call you as soon as I arrive.

30) He started playing as soon as he declared fit.

31) I wouldn’t wear that dress even if  it is free!

32) You always look neat and clean  even if you are a little out of style.

33) I’m going out tomorrow even if it’s raining.

34) Our dog barks whenever someone walks by our house.

35) I will bring you back here whenever you want.

36) The school was closed whenever it snowed heavily.

(3) Correlative Conjunction

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join together words or phrases that have equal importance within a sentence. The common correlative conjunctions are Either …. or, Neither .… nor, Whether.… or Both …. and, Not only .… but also, such….that

Examples

1)  You can have either chocolate or vanilla cake.

2) He may buy either a bag or a pencil box.

3) You will find her either in the kitchen or in the study room

4) She likes neither tea nor coffee.

5) Rita likes neither milk nor curd.

6) Neither Rahul nor his brother are intelligent.

7) He must finish his work, whether he likes it or not.

8) Do you care whether she is sick or dead?

9) I didn’t know whether you want cake or biscuit in tea time.

10) Sunita can both read and write.

11) The company deals in both hardware and software products.

12) Both pink and blue are my favourite colours.

13) Not only Sara but also Nitin is from India.

14) I will not only eat the cake but also the cookies.

15) He not only studies hard but also performed well in exams.

16) It is such a small room that i do not space to keep things.

17) She is such a beautiful girl that everyone like her.

18) He is such a smart boy that he clears every entrance exam.