Definition
A conjunction is a word which merely joins together sentences or clauses, and sometimes words.
- That is a beautiful place and I have been there.
- That is the beautiful place where I have been to.
Classes of Conjunctions
Conjunctions are divided into two classes: Co-ordinating and Sub-ordinating.
1) Co-ordinating conjunction
It joins together clauses of equal ranks.
Example: He is slow, but he is sure.
2) Sub-ordinating conjunction
It joins together clauses in which one is dependent on the other.
Example: Since you wish to excel in life, you must learn English.
Some Rules
Rule: Scarcely should be followed by when, not by than.
Scarcely had he arrived than he had to leave again.
Scarcely had he arrived when he had to leave again.
Rule: No sooner is followed by than, not by but.
No sooner had we reached the station but the train left.
No sooner had we reached the station than the train left.
No sooner A ... than B is similar to Scarcely A ... when B.
Rule: Do not use seldom or ever in place of seldom or never.
The national network seldom or ever telecasts good programmes.
The national network seldom or never telecasts good programmes.
Rule: Correlative conjunctions should be followed by the same part of speech.
He neither agreed to my proposal nor to his.
He agreed neither to my proposal nor to his.
Rule: Neither is followed by nor, not by or.
The phone neither went dead or worked properly.
The phone neither went dead nor worked properly.
Rule: The conjunction that is not used before direct narration or interrogatives in indirect narration.
He said that, "it is none of my business".
He said, "It is none of my business."
He asked me that which was the way to the station.
He asked me which was the way to the station.
Rule: Although goes with yet or a comma (,).
Although Manohar is hardworking, but he does not get a job.
Although Manohar is hardworking, yet he does not get a job.
Rule: Though/Although is used with contradictory sentences.
Since she was sick, she attended the party.
Though she was sick, she attended the party.
Rule: Nothing else should be followed by but, not by than.
This is nothing else than red-tapism.
This is nothing else but red-tapism.
Rule: The correlative conjunctions indeed... but are used to emphasise contrast.
I am indeed happy with my school but it produces famous men.
I am indeed happy with my school that it produces famous men.
Rule: In a not only ... but also sentence, the verb agrees with the noun after but also.
Not only the students but also the teacher were responsible.
Not only the students but also the teacher was responsible.
Rule: Not only ... but also always comes before the same part of speech.
They not only gave me standing ovation but also a cash prize.
They gave me not only standing ovation but also a cash prize.
Rule: Such...as denotes a category whereas such...that shows degree & consequence.
Each member agrees to take such action as it deems necessary.
Each member agrees to take such action that it deems necessary.
Rule: The conjunction lest is followed by should.
Work hard lest you would fail.
Work hard lest you should fail.
Work hard lest you should not fail.
Work hard lest you should fail.
Lest is negative, do not use not/never with it.
Rule: So...as is used in negative comparison, as...as in positive.
He is not as tall as his brother.
He is not so tall as his brother.
Rule: Both is followed by and, not by as well as / along with.
Both the boys as well as the girls were absent.
Both the boys and the girls were absent.
Rule: Unless denotes condition, until denotes time.
Until you work hard, you will not succeed.
Unless you work hard, you will not succeed.
Unless & Until are negative, do not use not/never with them.
