Conjunctions connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Reason and She was absent because she was sick.

3 Main Types: Coordinating Conjunctions, Correlative Conjunctions and Subordinating purpose As it is raining, I will not go out.
Conjunctions The match was postponed because of the rain.
Since you are not well, you should take a rest.
I. Coordinating Conjunctions: Join equal elements (words, phrases, independent clauses).
Nina learnt computer so that she could get a good job.
Use FANBOYS: He saved a lot of money in order that he could buy a house.
Conjunction Function Examples He went to market in order to buy some vegetables.
and Adds similar ideas He writes slowly and neatly. He saved a lot of money so as to buy a house.
and items Ali and Anu met the Principal. We wondered why Anu was absent.
but Shows contrast She is small but strong. Condition If he is here, I will see him.
He wrote a letter, but didn’t post it. Unless you invite them, they won’t come.
or Indicates choice Do you like tea or coffee? You’d better take the keys in case I’m out.
He will come Monday or Tuesday. They would pass the test provided that they took some tuition
so Shows result Sony was sick, so she went to hospital. classes. I’ll get there, even if I have to walk.
yet Shows unexpected He lost the match, yet he is happy. Contrast Although he was poor, he was happy. Though he was poor, he was
contrast happy. Even though he was poor, he was happy.
nor Joins negative ideas She cannot play chess, nor can her sister. He was happy in spite of his poverty.
for Explains reason She stayed home, for she was ill. Despite his poverty, he was happy.
(formal) Place You’d better join the queue where they are standing.
When there is a will, there is a way.
Go to the place where you are supposed to be.
II. Correlative Conjunctions: Always used in pairs to join similar elements Wherever he led, we followed. Everywhere we travelled, the same
guide was with us.
Pair Function Examples
Manner He talks as if he knew everything.
both...and Emphasizes two items She is both intelligent and good-looking.
They did as they were instructed.
either...or Presents alternatives Either Mona or her sister will dance.
It looks as though there will be a storm.
neither...nor Excludes both options Neither Anita nor Sunita was in the park.
Do you know how she did it?
not only...but Adds emphasis He was not only scolded but also punished.
You can do it however you like.
also
I want to speak English the way Sony speaks.
III. Subordinating Conjunctions: Join a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Indicate: Time, Reason, Condition, Contrast, Purpose, Place.
IV. Key Rules & Common Errors
Function Examples
Time Because vs. Because of:
I will call you after I come to Kathmandu.
Because + clause: "Reema failed because she didn’t study."
Meet me before you leave. You have not changed a lot Because of + noun: "Reema failed because of her carelessness."
since we last met. Although/Though vs. Despite/In spite of:
I always switch off the light when I go to bed. Although + clause: "Although he is rich, he walks barefoot."
Whenever she comes here, she calls me. Despite + noun: "Despite his wealth, he walks barefoot."
I broke my leg while playing football. Until vs. Unless:
We went on playing until mother shouted angrily at us. Until: Time-bound ("Wait until I return").
We stayed outside talking till the sun went down. Unless: Condition ("You can’t enter unless you have a ticket").
Cross the road as soon as the light turns green. Infinitive Phrases:
We were all in tears as the film came to an end.
In order to / So as to + base verb: 29. Niraj got the job, ………….he had no experience. (even though, because, since)
"He saved money in order to buy a house." 30. The beds were wide, soft………….comfortable. (and, but, or)
V. Connecting Adverbs: Used with semicolon (;) to link independent clauses: 31. Move off………….the light turns green. (before, as soon as, until)
Adverb Function Example 32. Atul could not come here on time………….the rain.(because, because of, so that)
however Contrast We wanted to arrive on time; however, we were delayed. 33. Slow………….steady wins the race. (and, but, or)
therefor Result I was nervous; therefore, I could not do my best. 34. Jasmine had to wait………….her husband became ready. (till, unless, as)
e 35. I didn’t buy the dress………….it cost too much. (because, although, so that)
otherwis Warning Consult them; otherwise, they may be upset.
36. She’s going to marry………….she finds the right man. (before, as soon as, unless)
e
moreove Add She is intelligent; moreover, she is ambitious. 37. I left home early………….I had to do several errands. (because, because of, although)
r information 38. ………...I’ll have written a letter, it will be quarter to nine. (Since, By the time, Before)
39. We looked everywhere. ……..., we could not find the keys. (However, Thus, Therefore)
Rewrite the following sentences choosing the best alternatives from the brackets:
40. Anita didn’t eat anything, ……..she was very hungry. (because of, in spite of, although)
1. Ali could………….read but also write before he was four. (either, both, not only)
41. He’s…....an angry man…...nobody likes to be with him. (such...that, such...as, so...that)
2. Reema failed the exam………….her stupidity. (because, because of, in spite of)
42. The little child stood on the chair………….see out of the window. (because, so that, in
3. ………….I told the truth, you would not believe me. (Even if, So that, Since)
order to)
4. I shall wait here………….you finish your work. (until, if, when)
43. …………..you follow the instructions, you should have no difficulty. (If, Until, Unless)
5. Asha got up late………….she came to school on time. (yet, because, although)
44. Do you know his address……………telephone number? (but, or, nor)
6. You’d better take a taxi. …………., you’ll arrive late. (Otherwise, However, Therefore)
45. ……………hard he tries, he can’t get success. (Therefore, However, Although)
7. ………….Anil is rich, he walks in bare feet. (Although, So, Unless)
46. She earns a lot……………she borrows money from others. (and, yet, so)
8. The kids didn’t study. ………...., they failed the exam. (Although, However, Therefore)
47. ……………the train was late, we arrived on time. (Although, As, In spite of)
9. I didn’t sleep well last night, ………….I felt very tired today. (so, as, so that)
48. Pukar didn’t earn enough money……………, his wife decided to get a job. (However,
10. ………….the bell rang, the students came out at once. (If, As soon as, Before)
Therefore, Nor)
11. Neha worked hard………….she could win the race. (to, because, so that)
49. They are happy…………….they have won the match. (because, because of, in spite of)
12. Switch off all the lights………….you leave the house. (when, after, before)
50. I must leave now……………I have a great deal of work to do. (as, than, so)
13. The boss wanted to know the reason………….his secretary was late. (because, why, as)
51. I opened the door……………looked out. (and, yet, not)
14. ………….it is cold, he goes for swimming. (Although, Because, Yet, But)
52. They lost the match……………carelessness. (because, because of, in spite of)
15. I won’t invite my classmates to a party………….I know them well. (if, until, so)
53.. ….I loud you talk to him, he won’t hear you , he’s deaf. (However, Therefore,
16. Sunita climbs the stairs fast………….her leg is broken. (though, however, since)
Although)
17. Gunjan could find that book neither at the library, ………..at the bookstore. (or, nor, so)
54. I couldn’t buy the book……………the shop didn’t have a copy in stock. (because,
18. We keep food in the fridge………….it will not go bad. (because, so that, as)
although, so that)
19. Tina is shorter than me………….taller than Pushpa. (and, but, because)
**Note. First of all, try to do it yourself. Then, check the answers for evaluation.
20. I will join you, ………….that the weather is fine. (provided, than, if)
Answers: 1, not only 2. because of 3. Even if 4. Until 5. yet 6. Otherwise
21. I went to see the play………….it had good reviews. (because, because of, when)
7. Although 8. Therefore 9. so 10. As soon as 10. so that 12. before 13. Why 14. Although
22. He could………….read and write before he was four. (either, both, neither)
15. unless 16. though 17. nor 18. so that 19. but 20. Provided 21. Because 22. both 23.
23. They cancelled the match……..a lot of players were ill. (because, because of, although)
because 24. before 25. till 26. both and 27. although 28. If 29. even though 30. And 31. as
24. Make sure you close all the windows………….it starts to rain. (after, before, until)
soon as 32. because of 33. and 34. till 35. because 36. unless 37. because 38. By the time
25. We waited………….the bus came. (if, till, for)
39. However 40. Although 41. Such that 42. in order to 43. If 44. or 45. However 46. yet
26. They were surprised………….pleased. (as well as, both and, nor)
47. Although 48. Therefore 49. because 50. As [Link] 52. because of 53. However 54.
27. We stayed up late, ………….we were tired. (although, despite, in spite of)
because
28. ………….you read this book, you would be sure to enjoy it. (If, Until, Unless)