What is a Conjunction?
A conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences.
There are mainly two types of conjunctions – coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
1. Coordinating Conjunctions
Commonly used Conjunctions List: and, or, but, for, therefore, yet, etc.
Examples:
- It stands on the hill and overlooks the plain.
- I say this but she says that.
- That coat cannot be mine, for it is too big for me.
- This must not happen again, or you will be dismissed.
- He is rich, yet he is not happy.
2. Subordinating Conjunctions
Commonly used Conjunctions List: when, while, where, though, although, till, before, unless, as, after, because, if, that, since, etc.
Examples:
- Since it stands on the hill it overlooks the plain.
- Although I say this she says that.
- When Gawain saw the Green Knight he did not show that he was afraid.
- We were happy when we received the first prize.
- She began to cry because she had lost her golden chain.
Important Rules and Uses of Conjunction
1. ‘Since‘ as conjunction means:
For example:
- Many things have happened since I left the school.
- I have never seen him since that unfortunate event happened.
For example:
- Since you wish it, it shall be done.
- Since that is the case, I shall excuse you.
2. ‘Or‘ is used:
For example:
- You must work or starve.
- You may take this book or that one.
- He may study law or medicine or engineering or he may enter into trade.
For example:
- The violin or fiddle has become the leading instrument of the modern orchestra.
For example:
- We must hasten or night will overtake us.
3. ‘If‘ is used to mean:
For example:
- If he is here, I shall see him.
- If I had a million dollars, I’d be content.
For example:
- If I am blunt, I am at least honest.
For example:
- I asked him if he would help me.
For example:
- If I feel any doubt I enquire.
4. ‘That‘ is used:
For example:
- Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more.
- He was annoyed that he was contradicted.
For example:
- He kept quiet that the dispute might cease.
For example:
- He bled so profusely that he died
5. Lest
For example:
- He lied lest he should be killed.
- I was alarmed lest we should be wrecked.
6. ‘While‘ is used to mean:
For example:
- While there is life there is hope.
For example:
- While he found fault, he also praised.
7. Only
For example:
- A very pretty woman, only she squints a little.
- The day is pleasant, only rather cold.
8. After, before, as soon as, until
For example:
- I will phone you after I arrive here.
- I will phone you after I have arrived here.
9. As if
For example:
- He loves you as if you were his own child.
- Sometimes she weeps and sometimes she laughs as if she were mad.
For example:
- He behaves as if he were a lord.
- He behaved as if he had been a lord
10. As long as and Until
For example:
- Until you work hard you will improve. (Incorrect)
- As long as you work hard you will improve. (Correct)
- He learnt little as long as he was 15 years old. (Incorrect)
- He learnt little until he was 15 years old. (Correct)
11. No sooner
For example:
- No sooner had I reached the station than the train left.
- No sooner did the bell ring than all the students rushed in.
12. As well as
For example:
- He as well as us is innocent.
For example:
- Both Rani as well as Kajol came. (Incorrect)
- Both Rani and Kajol came. (Correct)
13. Because, Since and for
For example:
- Some people like him because he is honest and hard-working.
For example:
- Since you refuse to cooperate, I shall have to take legal steps.
For example:
- The servant must have opened the box, for no one else had the key.
‘For’ never comes at the beginning of the sentence and ‘for’ is always preceded by a comma.
14. Scarcely
For example:
- Scarcely had he arrived than he had to leave again. (Incorrect)
- Scarcely had he arrived when he had to leave again. (Correct)
15. Either.. or and neither.. nor
For example:
- Either he will ask me or you. (Incorrect)
- He will ask either me or you. (Correct)
- Neither he reads nor write English (Incorrect)
- He neither reads nor writes English. (Correct)
- Either you shall have to go home or stay here. (Incorrect)
- You shall have either to go home or stay here. (Correct)
- He neither agreed to my proposal nor to his. (Incorrect)
- He agreed neither to my proposal nor to his. (Correct)
16. Although
For example:
- Although Manohar is hardworking but he does not get a job. (Incorrect)
- Although Manohar is hardworking, yet he does not get a job. (Correct)
17. Nothing else
For example:
- Mr. Bureaucrat! This is nothing else than red-tapism. (Incorrect)
- Mr. Bureaucrat! This is nothing else but red-tapism. (Correct)
18. Indeed… but
For example:
- I am indeed happy with my school but it produces famous men. (Incorrect)
- I am indeed happy with my school but it does not produce famous men. (Correct)
- I am indeed happy with my school that it produces famous men. (Correct)
19. Not only… but also
For example:
- Not only the students but also the teacher were responsible for what happened in the class. (Incorrect)
- Not only the students but also the teacher was responsible for what happened in the class. (Correct)
20. Such.. as and such.. that
For example:
- Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action that it deems necessary. (Incorrect)
- Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action as it deems necessary. (Correct)
- She looked at him in such distress as he had to look away. (Incorrect)
- She looked at him in such distress that he had to look away. (Correct)
Here, “he had to look away” is a consequence of “she looked at him in such distress”. In other words, the degree of the distress of looking at him was such that (not as) he had to look away.
For example:
- He asked me
thatwhere I stayed. (Incorrect) - He asked me where I stayed. (Correct)