Conjunctions

 What is a conjunction ?
An English conjunction is a part of speech that connects two words, phrases or
clauses together. You can use a conjunction to link words, phrases, and clauses,
as in the following examples:
• I study English and Arabic.
• The park is empty now, but it will be filled with children after school.
• You can stay on the bus until you reach London.

 Types of conjunctions:
In English there are three main types of conjunctions: Coordinating
Conjunctions (FANBOYS), Subordinating Conjunctions and Correlative
Conjunctions.

1. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS):

 Coordinating conjunctions join two elements of equal grammatical

rank . They can join two verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or
two independent clauses.
 It comes usually in the middle “ placed between” of a sentence, and
a comma is used before the conjunction (unless both clauses are very
short).
 There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so,
and yet. To remember them, the acronym FANBOYS can be used.
F = For
A = And
N = Nor
B = But
O = Or
Y = Yet
S = So

 For: It is used to join sentences when it introduces a reason or cause.

 Examples:

• We listened eagerly, for he brought news of our families.

• We stopped playing football, for it had been rained.

 And: It is used to join sentences that are alike.

Examples :

• I like tea and coffe.

• She didn't speak to anyone, and nobody spoke to her.

 Nor: it is used to join two negative sentences.

Examples :

• Danny did not talk, nor did she smile .

• John can't eat, nor can he sleep.

 But : it is used toi join sentences that are opposite or show contrast.

Examples :

• They rushed to the hospital, but they were too late.

• They played well, but they lost.

 Or: it's used to join sentences that gives choices or alternative.

Examples :

• You must help us, or we will fail.

• You go with me, or you stay at home.
• Do you like playing football, or tennis?

 So : is used to join sentences when it introduces a result or cause.

Examples:
• It's going to rain, so we should stop playing football.
 • I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying
English at
University.
 Yet: it's used to join sentences when it shows unexpected contrast.
Examples :
• I always take a book to read, yet I never seem to turn a single page.
• Lara is such a beautiful girl, yet no oneloves her .

2. Subordinating conjunction:

 A subordinating conjunction always introduces a dependent clause or

(subordinate clause), tying it to an independent clause or (main clause).
A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a
complete sentence. An independent clause, by contrast, can stand alone as
a complete sentence.
 Unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinate conjunctions can often
come first in a sentence. This is because of the nature of the relationship
between the dependent and the independent clause.
 Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join dependent clause
to independent clause. for example :
• I will eat an apple after I eat this cookie.

In this example : I will eat an apple is an independent clause, and the

second sentence ( after I eat this cookie) is a dependent adverb clause .

 Here are some common subordinating conjunctions: after, although,

as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until,
when, where, whether, while, as soon as…

Examples :
• We had played football before we had dinner.
• I don't understand what you are talking.
• Because of him, I learned how to start my own business.
• Until you try, you'll never know.
 • As I write this letter, I know I must say goodbye.
• Kate was happy because she won the competition.
• Although he is very famous, he is still nice.
• Iam going home whether you like it or not.
• Her baby cannot fall asleep unless she stays in the room.
• Since he lost his money, he couldn't go to the restaurant.

3. Correlative conjunction:

 Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions which work together

to coordinate two items. They always appear in pairs.
 There are many different pairs of correlative conjunctions such as: either
...or, neither ...nor , both...and , not only... but also , not... but , whether ...or
etc.
 Either … or (positive)
Either + noun + or+ noun

• Either Dara or Linda goes out with me.

• I will eat either carrots or peas for dinner.

Either +verb+or+verb

• You can either stay at home or go out today.

• I don't mind if he either buys or rents this house.

 Neither… nor (negative)

Examples :

• Natalie, likes neither milk nor cream cake.

• Iam not lucky beacause i have got neither time nor money to go on
holiday.
• He neither speaks English nor understands it.
• He speaks neither English nor French.
 Both …. And :
Examples :
• They can play both the guitar and the violin well.
• You can both turn the Tv on, and change the channels with the
remote control.
• The company deals with both hardware and software.
• Linda looks happy. She both talks and smiles.

 Not only …. But also :

Examples :
• Dara plays not only football but also volleyball.
• Linda is not only beautiful but also friendly.
• George is famous not only in America but also in Canada.
• He not only studies hard but also work hard.
• Leila not only smiles but also laughts.

 Not …but :
Examples :
• It is not tiger but cat.
• They are not studying but playing .
• He runs not fast but slowly.
• The school yard is not blue but green.

 Whether ….or: (choice)

Examples :
• I don't care whether you go or stay.
• We should be taught whether we take the exam or not.
• He was wondering whether to go today or tomorrow.
• We will have to go whether she comes with us or not.
 Exercise n: 1 Complete the following sentences using an appropriate
conjunction.

1. We brought the food ( but , and , for ) ……… they supplied the drink.
2. She was poor (but , or , so ) ………………. she was honest.
3. We can go jogging ( and , but , or )…………… we can stay here.
4. People liked her ( because,so, but, while)………………… she was honest.
5. I will phone you ( as, while, when)………. I arrive.
6. ( if , unless, whether ) you need help , just let me know.
7. It is a question ( which, that )...................... nobody can answer.
8. I stayed an extra night (so that , so ) I could see more of Mumbai.

Exercise n: 2 Complete the text with and, but, or.

I get up at half past eight in the morning. I´m hungry ...... there isn´t any food in
the kitchen. I want milk, cereals ...... orange juice. Then, I go to the shop ...... when I
get there it´s still closed. I go back home and into the kitchen. There´s some grapefruit
juice and brown bread....... I don´t like grapefruit juice ...... brown bread! This is not a
good morning, so I go back to bed until the shop opens.

Exercise n: 3 Complete with and, but, or, so, because.

1. We aren´t going to the park ...... it´s raining.
2. I don´t have any money,………. I´ll go to the bank.
3. She doesn´t like vegetables ...... fish.
4. I need milk, butter ...... bread.
5. There´s snow on the street ...... it´s not too cold.
6. She studies a lot ...... she never passes the exams.
7. You´ve got an exam tomorrow,……… you must study tonight.
8. I don´t go to the cinema...... I haven´t got any money.

Exercise n: 4 Combine the following pairs of sentences by means of correlative

conjunctions ( either…or, neither …nor, not onlu… but also, both…and )

a) You will confess. I will complain.

b) The money was ( not) missing . The jewlery was (not) missing .
c) He should (not) do it . He should (not) allow you to do it.
d) Jack failed in chemistry. He also failed in physics.
e) Mary is in love with Jack. Alice is in love with Jack.
f) Lara was wise. She was clever.
g) He doesn't speak English. He doesn't speak French.
h) Peter likes video games. Anna likes video games.

Exercise n : 5 use the connectors given into brackets to join the following pairs of
sentences to make meaningful statement .
• Internet provides students with information. it has made them lazy . ( although)
• Do it again .You will be punished (if)
• I was ill . I lost my job. (because)
• Take an aspirin. You will fill better (once)
• The fisherman crossed the river. It was stormy. ( although)
• I was taking some notes. He was reading. ( while)
• The computer facilitate our work. It causes eyesight problem. ( though)
• Advertisers fill online games with advertisements. They want kidsto buy their
products . ( so that)
• I will wait here. You finish your work ( until)
• He had looked the door . He went out ( before).