English Grammar - Nouns
Conjunctions are words that connect other words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. Understanding conjunctions is crucial because they help in forming coherent and comprehensive sentences. This guide will cover the three main types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses that are of equal importance. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English, remembered by the acronym FANBOYS:
For: Used to explain a reason.
And: Used to add information.
Nor: Used to present an additional negative idea.
But: Used to show contrast.
Or: Used to present alternatives.
Yet: Used to introduce a contrasting idea.
So: Used to show cause and effect.
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. The dependent clause relies on the main clause to complete the sentence’s meaning.
After: Indicates time.
Although: Indicates contrast.
Because: Indicates reason.
If: Indicates condition.
Since: Indicates time or reason.
Unless: Indicates condition.
While: Indicates time or contrast.
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to coordinate two items. They always come in pairs.
Both…and: Indicates addition.
Either…or: Indicates choice.
Neither…nor: Indicates negation.
Not only…but also: Indicates addition and emphasis.
Whether…or: Indicates choice or doubt.
Punctuation: When using conjunctions to join clauses, be mindful of punctuation. Coordinating conjunctions often require a comma before them if they join two independent clauses (e.g., She was tired, but she finished her work).
Parallelism: Ensure that the elements being joined by conjunctions are parallel, meaning they should be in the same grammatical form (e.g., She likes swimming and running, not She likes swimming and to run).
Avoid Overuse: While conjunctions are useful, avoid overloading sentences with too many conjunctions, as this can make sentences long and confusing.
Practice: Use conjunctions in your writing and speaking to get comfortable with how they connect ideas. Reading books, articles, and essays can also help you see how native speakers use conjunctions naturally.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate coordinating conjunction.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct subordinating conjunction.
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences with correlative conjunctions.
By practicing these exercises and using conjunctions in your daily communication, you will improve your English fluency and sentence structure. Happy learning!
Here are 10 easy sentences with the conjunctions highlighted:
Each conjunction in these sentences helps to connect ideas, making the sentences complete and meaningful.
Here are some complex sentences with multiple conjunctions:
In these sentences, the conjunctions work together to create more complex and detailed ideas, linking various clauses to add depth to the statements.
Question 1: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “I want to go to the park, ____ it is raining.”
a) and
b) or
c) but
d) so
Correct Answer: c) but
Question 2: Identify the conjunction in this sentence: “She likes to read books and watch movies.”
a) She
b) to
c) and
d) watch
Correct Answer: c) and
Question 3: Which pair of correlative conjunctions correctly completes the sentence? “____ the teacher ____ the students were excited.”
a) Either…or
b) Neither…nor
c) Both…and
d) Not only…but also
Correct Answer: c) Both…and
Question 4: What is the function of the conjunction “because” in this sentence: “She is happy because she got a new job.”
a) To show contrast
b) To add information
c) To indicate reason
d) To present alternatives
Correct Answer: c) To indicate reason
Question 5: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “I will wait here ____ you finish your shopping.”
a) while
b) if
c) because
d) although
Correct Answer: a) while
Question 6: Identify the conjunction in this sentence: “We can go to the zoo or the aquarium.”
a) We
b) can
c) to
d) or
Correct Answer: d) or
Question 7: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “I stayed home, ____ it was raining.”
a) but
b) for
c) so
d) yet
Correct Answer: b) for
Question 8: Which pair of correlative conjunctions correctly completes the sentence? “____ you study hard ____ you will not pass the exam.”
a) Neither…nor
b) Either…or
c) Not only…but also
d) Unless…you
Correct Answer: d) Unless…you
Question 9: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “She enjoys playing soccer, ____ she is not very good at it.”
a) and
b) so
c) but
d) or
Correct Answer: c) but
Question 10: Identify the conjunction in this sentence: “I will visit you after I finish my work.”
a) I
b) will
c) visit
d) after
Correct Answer: d) after
Question 1: Which conjunction best completes the sentence? “He went to bed early ____ he was very tired.”
a) and
b) because
c) although
d) or
Correct Answer: b) because
Question 2: Identify the type of conjunction in this sentence: “She will come if she gets time.”
a) Coordinating
b) Subordinating
c) Correlative
d) Conjunctive adverb
Correct Answer: b) Subordinating
Question 3: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “I want to join the club, ____ I don’t have enough time.”
a) so
b) because
c) but
d) if
Correct Answer: c) but
Question 4: Choose the correct pair of correlative conjunctions for this sentence: “He is ____ intelligent ____ hardworking.”
a) neither…nor
b) both…and
c) either…or
d) not only…but also
Correct Answer: d) not only…but also
Question 5: Which conjunction best completes the sentence? “She took an umbrella ____ it might rain.”
a) although
b) since
c) so
d) in case
Correct Answer: d) in case
Question 6: Identify the conjunction in this sentence: “He is taller than his brother.”
a) He
b) is
c) than
d) his
Correct Answer: c) than
Question 7: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “I will help you ____ you ask me nicely.”
a) while
b) unless
c) although
d) if
Correct Answer: d) if
Question 8: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “____ it was raining, they went for a walk.”
a) Since
b) Although
c) Because
d) So
Correct Answer: b) Although
Question 9: Choose the correct correlative conjunctions to complete the sentence: “____ John ____ Mary can solve this problem.”
a) Either…or
b) Neither…nor
c) Both…and
d) Not only…but also
Correct Answer: a) Either…or
Question 10: Which conjunction best completes the sentence? “I will call you ____ I arrive at the station.”
a) as soon as
b) although
c) but
d) and
Correct Answer: a) as soon as
Question 1: Which conjunction best completes the sentence? “Hardly had I reached the station ____ the train departed.”
a) when
b) before
c) as
d) than
Correct Answer: a) when
Question 2: Identify the conjunction and its type in this sentence: “No sooner had she finished her speech than the audience stood up and clapped.”
a) No sooner – Subordinating
b) than – Coordinating
c) and – Coordinating
d) No sooner – Correlative
Correct Answer: d) No sooner – Correlative
Question 3: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “She speaks several languages, ____ she still struggles with English idioms.”
a) for
b) yet
c) nor
d) or
Correct Answer: b) yet
Question 4: Choose the correct pair of correlative conjunctions to complete the sentence: “____ did he apologize, ____ he also offered to compensate for the mistake.”
a) Not only…but
b) Either…or
c) Both…and
d) No sooner…than
Correct Answer: a) Not only…but
Question 5: Which conjunction best completes the sentence? “____ you call me, I will come.”
a) Whenever
b) Despite
c) Nevertheless
d) Whereas
Correct Answer: a) Whenever
Question 6: Identify the type of conjunction in this sentence: “He studied hard so that he might pass the exam.”
a) Coordinating
b) Subordinating
c) Correlative
d) Conjunctive adverb
Correct Answer: b) Subordinating
Question 7: Which conjunction best fits in the sentence? “We went to the beach ____ the weather was bad.”
a) even though
b) because
c) as if
d) since
Correct Answer: a) even though
Question 8: Which conjunction best completes the sentence? “Scarcely had they started their journey ____ it began to snow.”
a) then
b) when
c) before
d) as
Correct Answer: b) when
Question 9: Identify the type of conjunction in this sentence: “Provided that you finish your work, you may go out.”
a) Coordinating
b) Subordinating
c) Correlative
d) Conjunctive adverb
Correct Answer: b) Subordinating
Question 10: Choose the correct pair of correlative conjunctions to complete the sentence: “He is ____ rich ____ generous.”
a) either…or
b) neither…nor
c) not only…but also
d) both…and
Correct Answer: c) not only…but also
These advanced questions are designed to test a deep understanding of conjunctions, their types, and their appropriate usage in complex sentences.