Conjunctions- Lesson 2

11. However is used as a conjunction to show that the relationship

between the two independent clauses is of contrast.
i) Ravi was busy; however, he agreed to come to the dinner for a few
minutes.
ii) The temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius during the day;
however, it falls to 5 degrees at night.
iii) I didn’t prepare the speech; however, I managed to speak fluently
Note the punctuation in these sentences.

However is also used to mean ‘in whatever manner.’

iv) I will assist however I can.
v) Decorate it however you like.
vi) You can arrange furniture however you want.

12. As is used to show reason. Similar to 'because'

i) All the tickets were sold out as we got there too late.
ii) As the road was closed, I had to park on the next street.
as is also used to mean 'while'
iii) She called as I was getting out of the bath.
iv) As they were arriving, we were leaving.
as is used to mean 'in the way that'
v) As we expected, it started to rain.
vi) As you know, classes restart on 15th January.
vii) As I said, I think this project will be a challenge.
13. Till/Until to show a point of time in future.
We use until to connect an action or an event to a point in time:
i) Let’s wait here till the rain stops.
ii) No one left the room until the talk ended.
 iii) I can’t wait until the summer holidays begin.
iv) He was the headmaster until he retired in 1968.
v) We couldn’t put down the new floor till the plumber had finished.
14. So is used for showing the consequence of something
i) He was tired so he rested.
ii) He was hungry so he ate all the biscuits.
15.Nor is used to show contrast in negative ideas.
i) He doesn’t eat cake, nor does he eat biscuits.
ii) He didn’t come, nor did he send a letter.
16) Unless is used to express condition that the subject needs to fulfil
before he achieves something.
i) Unless you focus on your work, you will not succeed.
ii) She will not score good marks in the test unless she studies hard.
17) Before is used to denote a time in the past.
(Note: Before, like some other conjunctions in this lesson, is also
used as a preposition.)
i) I reached the examination hall before the question paper
was distributed.
ii) Answer the first question before you proceed further.
18) After is used to denote a time in the future.
i) We reached the cinema hall after the movie had started.
ii) They started the programme after everyone had arrived.
19) Whether is .used when someone can choose between two
possibilities
i) Employees are deciding whether to accept the offer.
ii) We’re not sure whether we’ll stay here for dinner or go
somewhere else.
Whether is also used when someone does not know which of two
possibilities is true

They asked us whether we were married.

There is some doubt as to whether the illness is infectious.

Whether is also used to ask indirect questions

i) We discussed the issue of whether the curriculum needs

change or the teaching methodology.
ii) The question is whether there is still a place for imagination
in the world.

Whether is also used as corelative conjunction. (Whether………or)

Note: Difference in the usage of yet and still

We use still to refer to the continuation of a situation. Yet is a

conjunction meaning nevertheless or however. While still may appear
in conjunctive phrases like but still, it is not itself a conjunction.
Therefore:

i) I still meet my friends from my schooldays now and then.

ii) Even when my father was 65, he still enjoyed playing tennis.

Choose the correct alternative:

i) It's a small car, (still or yet) it's surprisingly spacious.

ii) The weather was cold and wet, (still or yet) we had a great time.

iii) He has a good job, (still or yet) he never seems to have any
money.