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Topic of the Day
Conjunctions
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A Conjunction is a word which merely joins together sentences, and
sometimes words.
1. God made the country and man made the town.
2. Our hoard is little, but our hearts are great.
3. She must weep, or she will die.
4. Two and two make four.
In sentences 1, 2 and 3 conjunctions join two sentences.
In sentence 4 it joins two words.
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Conjunctions merely join: They do no other work.
Observe that a Preposition also joins two words but it does more; it governs a
noun or pronoun; as,
E.g. He sat beside Rama. He stood behind me.
1. This is the house that Jack built. (Relative Pronoun)
2. This is the place where he was murdered (Relative Adverb)
3. Take this and give that. (Conjunction)
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Correlative Conjunctions
These are used in pairs:
Either-or : Either take it or leave it.
Neither-nor : It is neither useful nor ornamental.
Both-and : We both love and honour him
Though-yet (rare in current English) : Though he is suffering much pain, yet
he does not complain.
Whether-or : I do not care whether you go or stay.
Not only-But also : He is not only foolish, but also obstinate.
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Co-ordinating Conjunctions
A Co-ordinating Conjunction joins together clauses of equal rank.
F – For
A – And
N – Nor
B – But
O – Or
Y - Yet
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Types of Co-ordinating Conjunctions
Cumulative : Which merely joins two statements.
E.g. We were ready and focused on our work.
Adversative : Which show contrast.
E.g. He is slow, but sure. He was annoyed, still kept quiet.
Alternative : Which expresses a choice between two alternatives.
E.g. She must weep, or she will die. / Neither a borrower nor lender be.
Illative : Which expresses inference
E.g. Some precautions must have been neglected for the plague spread.
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Subordinating Conjunctions
A Subordinating Conjunction joins a clause to another on, which it depends for
its full meaning.
The chief Subordinating Conjunctions are:-
After, because, if, that, though, although, till, before, unless, as, when,
where, while.
E.g. You will pass if you work hard.
Since you say so, I must believe it.
Tell them that I will come.
He finished first though he began late.
Will you wait till I return?
He will not pay unless he is compelled.
I waited for my friend until he came.
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Subordinating Conjunctions – Types
Time : I would die before I lied. / I returned home after he had gone.
Cause or reason : Since you wish it, it shall be done. / He may enter as he is
a friend.
Purpose : We eat so that we may live.
Result or Consequence : He was so tired that he could barely stand.
Condition : You will succeed if you toil. / He will not meet you unless you
request him.
Comparison: He is stronger than Rustum.
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Rules in Conjunctions
Rule 1: Hardly / Barely / Scarcely – these are followed by ‘when or
before’ not than.
E.g. Hardly had I reached home when it started raining.
Hardly had I finished work when the light went off.
Rule 2: No sooner – it is followed by than
E.g. No sooner had I finished the work when the light went off.
No sooner had I heard the shot then I ran towards the place.
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Rules in Conjunctions
Rule 3: The ‘reason why’ is followed by ‘that’ and not ‘because’.
E.g. The reason why he has been punished is that he cheated the
candidates,
The reason why men are not trusted is that they don’t keep promises.
Rule 4: Both – It refers to two persons or things together
Remember both is always followed by ‘and’
E.g. Both Ram and Hari are in the class.
We both love and respect him for his honesty.
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Rules in Conjunctions
Rule 5: Same and Such are followed by as to show category.
E.g. There is no such book as you mentioned.
He is the same man as I met in the morning.
Rule 6: Lest means – to avoid the risk of. It is followed by should.
E.g. Work hard lest you should fail.
Walk carefully lest you should fall.
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Rules in Conjunctions
Rule 7: Such that is used to show effect.
E.g. Such was his sincerity that no one challenged him.
Such was her behaviour that everyone loved her.
Rule 8: Unless and until are not followed by ‘not’ in the subordinate clause.
E.g. I will not help you unless you show some initiative.
She waited for him until he returned.
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Rules in Conjunctions
Rule 9: Doubt and doubtful are followed by ‘if’ and not ‘that’
E.g. I doubt if he will help me.
He is doubtful if there will be some help from the government.
Rule 10: So is followed by not in comparisons…as is followed as.
E.g. He is not so good as his brother.
He is as good as his brother.
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Thank you!!
