Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. These linking words help to create complex, compound, and more meaningful sentences.

📌 Etymology: The word "conjunction" comes from Latin coniunctionem, meaning "joining together".

🧠 Example:

Rita and Rohan are playing.
I wanted to go, but it was raining.
He ran fast because he was late.

🔷 Types of Conjunctions

Conjunctions are mainly categorized into three types:

1️⃣ Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank.

🔹 Common Coordinating Conjunctions:
FANBOYS = For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Conjunction	Use Example
For	He is happy, for he won the prize.
And	I bought apples and oranges.
Nor	She neither ate nor drank.
But	I want to go, but I am tired.
Or	Do you want tea or coffee?
Yet	He is rich, yet humble.
So	It rained, so we stayed in.

2️⃣ Subordinating Conjunctions

These join a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent (main) clause.

🔹 Examples:
Because, Although, Since, If, Unless, While, Until, After, Before, etc.

Conjunction	Example
Because	I stayed home because I was sick.
Although	Although she was tired, she continued working.
Since	Since it is raining, we will stay indoors.
If	If you work hard, you will succeed.
Unless	Don’t call me unless it's urgent.

🧠 These conjunctions introduce dependent clauses that need a main clause to make complete sense.

3️⃣ Correlative Conjunctions

These are pairs of conjunctions that work together.

🔹 Common Correlative Pairs:

Either – or
Neither – nor
Both – and
Not only – but also
Whether – or

Pair	Example
Either – or	Either you apologize or leave.
Neither – nor	Neither the manager nor the staff were present.
Both – and	She is both intelligent and hardworking.
Not only – but also	He is not only smart but also creative.

🔷 Functions of Conjunctions

Connecting similar ideas: She sings and dances.
Showing contrast: He is rich but not happy.
Expressing cause or reason: He left early because he was ill.
Showing condition: If you study, you will pass.

🔷 Rules and Tips

Avoid using double conjunctions: e.g., “Although he is poor but honest” ❌ (Correct: “Although he is poor, he is honest.”)
Use correct correlative pairs together.
Keep sentence balance: What comes before and after the conjunction should be grammatically similar.

🔷 Conjunctions vs Prepositions vs Relative Pronouns

Type	Example	Function
Conjunction	He stayed because he cared.	Joins clauses
Preposition	He stayed because of the rain.	Shows relation
Relative Pronoun	The man who stayed was kind.	Introduces a clause

🔷 Practice Questions with Answers & Explanation

1. Fill in the blank:

I will call you ______ I reach home.

a) if
b) and
c) but
d) or

✅ Answer: a) if
🧠 Explanation: “If” introduces a condition – the action of calling is conditional on reaching home.

2. Identify the conjunction in the sentence:

He worked hard, so he succeeded.

✅ Answer: so
🧠 Explanation: “So” is a coordinating conjunction indicating result/consequence.

3. Choose the correct sentence:

a) She is not only beautiful but smart.
b) She is not only beautiful but also smart.
c) She is not only beautiful also smart.
d) She is not beautiful not also smart.

✅ Answer: b)
🧠 Explanation: “Not only – but also” is the correct correlative pair.

4. Fill in the blank:

He cannot drive, ______ can he walk.

a) and
b) so
c) nor
d) but

✅ Answer: c) nor
🧠 Explanation: “Nor” is used after a negative clause to show continuation of the negative idea.

5. Correct the error:

Although he was poor but he was honest.

✅ Correct Sentence: Although he was poor, he was honest.
🧠 Explanation: Avoid double conjunctions like “Although” and “but” together.

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