A word that joins words, group of words or sentences is called a conjunction.
For example,
I could not attend the function because I was sick.
Types of conjunctions:
Ø Co-ordinating conjunctions: The conjunctions help in joining sentences that are of equal importance are called co-ordinating conjunctions. They are of different kinds.
· The conjunctions and, as well as, not only … but also add one statement to another.
For example,
I had bread. I had butter.
I had bread and butter.
I had bread as well as butter.
I had not only bread but also butter.
· The conjunctions such as but, still, yet, nevertheless that join two statements that express contrast.
For example,
Alice studied well. She could not pass the test.
Alice studied well but she could not pass the test.
Alice studied well, still she could not pass the test.
Alice studied well, yet she could not pass the test.
Alice studied well, nevertheless she could not pass the test.
· The conjunctions or, nor, either … or, neither … nor, otherwise, else joins words or sentences that express a choice.
For example,
You must obey the rules. You will be fired.
You must obey the rules or you will be fired.
Either you must obey the rules or you will be fired.
You must obey the rules otherwise you will be fired.
You must obey the rules or else you will be fired.
He is not my friend. He is my enemy.
He is neither my friend nor my enemy.
He is not my friend nor is he my enemy.
· The conjunctions therefore, so, consequently, for join sentences in which one statement or fact is inferred or proved from another.
For example,
She was not feeling well. She could not come to school.
She was not feeling well, therefore she could not come to school.
She was not feeling well, so she could not come to school.
She was not feeling well, consequently she could not come to school.
He cannot walk. He broke his leg.
He cannot walk, for he broke his leg.
Ø Subordinate conjunctions: The conjunctions help in joining an independent clause and a dependent clause in a sentence are called subordinating conjunctions. These conjunctions form complex sentences.
They are classified as follows:
·
Time – when, before, after, since, till,
until, while, as, as soon as
For example,
Joe was at home when I came back from school.
I will leave before the sun sets.
I left after the sun had set.
Wait till I return.
Wait until I return.
I was eating while others were exercising.
I threw it as I was walking to school.
The policeman came out of nowhere as soon as the robbers began moving.
·
Place – where, wherever
They built his shrine where he dropped his sword.
The dog followed wherever I went.
·
Reason – because, as, since
For example,
We cannot go to the park because it is raining.
I cannot lift the table as it is heavy.
I will come with you since you want me to.
·
Result – so … that, such … that
For example,
He was so angry that he broke the table.
His painting was such that everybody loved it.
His painting was such a masterpiece that everybody loved it.
·
Purpose – in order that, lest, so that
For example,
He works hard in order that he may become rich.
Read thoroughly lest you should fail.
She went to the hospital so that she might be cured.
·
Condition – if, provided, unless
For example,
I will not go to walk if it is cold outside.
I agree to your terms provided you agree to mine.
You cannot succeed unless you work hard.
·
Contrast – although, though, even if, however
For example,
He is a humble man, although he is rich.
He is not happy, though he is very rich.
I have to leave now even if it is raining.
She will never win, however hard she may try.
·
Comparison – as … as, as much as, … than, than
For example,
He is as tall as a giraffe.
No one likes him as much as I do.
His intelligence is no less than yours.
He is smarter than you are.
·
Manner – as if, as though
For example,
He ran as if he had been chased.
He felt as though he was being followed.
WORKSHEET:
I.
Fill in with correct conjunctions from
the brackets:
1. Dogs bark ___ cows moo. (or / but / and)
2. You will not win ___ you practice. (because / and / unless)
3. I had bread ___ butter for breakfast. ( and / or / but)
4. We were reading ___ the teacher came. ( but/ when / because)
5. I was reading ___ other children were playing. ( while / when / or)
6. I want the blue dress __ it is expensive. ( or / but / when)
7. We shall leave ___ it stops raining. ( although / still / if)
8. Be truthful __ you will be punished. ( or / but / if)
9. He is rich __ he is not happy. (or / when / yet)
10. He failed ___ of his laziness. (yet / because / that)
Answers:
1. Dogs bark but cows moo.
2. You will not win unless you practice.
3. I had bread and butter for breakfast.
4. We were reading when the teacher came.
5. I was reading while other children were playing.
6. I want the blue dress but it is expensive.
7. We shall leave if it stops raining.
8. Be truthful or you will be punished.
9. He is rich yet he is not happy.
10. He failed because of his laziness.
II.
Join each of the following pairs of
sentences using suitable conjunctions.
1. She must finish her work. She will be fired.
2. Joe lost his purse. He lost his phone.
3. He saw the teacher coming. He immediately went to his place.
4. Alice could not read. Alice could not write.
5. You score well in your test. I will buy you a PlayStation.
6. He is fat. His sister is thin.
7. We have nothing to eat. We are broke.
8. I won’t give up. I succeed.
9. I like her. She is kind.
10. John was lazy. He was fired.
Answers:
1. She must finish her work otherwise she will be fired.
2. Joe not only lost his purse but also his phone.
3. As soon as he saw the teacher coming, he immediately went to his place.
4. Alice could neither read nor write.
5. If you score well in your test, I will buy you a PlayStation.
6. He is fat but his sister is thin.
7. We have nothing to eat since we are broke.
8. I won’t give up until I succeed.
9. I like her because she is kind.
10. John was lazy therefore he was fired.