Conjunction and Connectors

Conjunction & Connectors

A Conjunction is a word used to join words, phrases, clauses, or sentences and to show the relationship between them.

Examples:

• Rahul and Riya are friends.
• She is poor but honest.
• You can take tea or coffee.
• I stayed at home because it was raining.
• Although he was tired, he continued working.

Conjunctions make language more coherent, logical and connected. They may express relationships such as:

• Addition → and, moreover
• Contrast → but, although, however
• Choice → or, either…or
• Reason → because, since
• Result → so, therefore
• Condition → if, unless
• Purpose → so that, in order that
• Time → when, while, before, after
• Comparison → than, as…as

A connector is a broader term for a word or expression that links ideas between clauses, sentences, or paragraphs.

Compare:

He was tired, but he continued working.

Here, but is a conjunction.

He was tired. However, he continued working.

Here, however is a sentence connector.

The major categories covered in this chapter are:

• • Coordinating Conjunctions
  • Subordinating Conjunctions
  • Correlative Conjunctions
  • Sentence Connectors

Coordinating Conjunctions

A Coordinating Conjunction joins grammatical elements of equal rank or importance.

It may join:

• word + word
• phrase + phrase
• independent clause + independent clause

Examples:

Rahul and Mohan are friends.

She is intelligent but careless.

You can stay here or come with us.

The seven major coordinating conjunctions can be remembered through:

FANBOYS

For

For can introduce a reason or explanation.

Example:

We stayed at home, for it was raining heavily.

Here, for has a meaning similar to because, though its usage is more formal/literary.

And

And expresses addition or combination.

Examples:

• Rahul and Riya are students.
• She opened the book and started reading.
• He is intelligent and hardworking.

It can also show sequence:

He entered the room and sat down.

Nor

Nor introduces a second negative alternative or idea.

Example:

He did not call, nor did he send a message.

Notice the inversion:

nor + auxiliary + subject

Correct:

She cannot sing, nor can she dance.

But

But expresses contrast.

Examples:

• He is poor but honest.
• She worked hard but failed.
• The task was difficult but manageable.

Or

Or expresses:

• choice
• alternative
• possibility
• sometimes consequence

Examples:

Would you like tea or coffee?

Hurry up, or you will miss the bus.

In the second example, or means approximately otherwise.

Yet

Yet as a coordinating conjunction expresses contrast, often a somewhat surprising contrast.

Example:

The task was difficult, yet she completed it.

Compare:

He is rich but unhappy.

He is rich, yet unhappy.

Both show contrast, though yet may give stronger emphasis to the unexpected contrast.

So

So expresses a result or consequence.

Example:

It was raining, so we stayed at home.

Relationship:

Cause → Result

It was raining → so → we stayed at home.

Joining Independent Clauses

When a coordinating conjunction joins two complete independent clauses, a comma is commonly used before it.

Example:

I wanted to attend the meeting, but I was ill.

Both parts can stand independently:

• I wanted to attend the meeting.
• I was ill.

With very short and closely connected clauses, the comma may sometimes be omitted depending on style.

Parallel Structure with Coordinating Conjunctions

Elements joined by a coordinating conjunction should normally have a parallel grammatical structure.

Incorrect:

She likes reading, swimming and to dance. ✘

Better:

She likes reading, swimming and dancing. ✔

or:

She likes to read, to swim and to dance. ✔

Parallelism is particularly important in sentence correction and error detection.

Subordinating Conjunctions

A Subordinating Conjunction joins a dependent/subordinate clause to a main/independent clause.

Example:

I stayed at home because it was raining.

• I stayed at home → Main Clause
• because it was raining → Subordinate Clause
• because → Subordinating Conjunction

A subordinate clause cannot normally stand alone as a complete sentence.

Incorrect as a complete sentence:

Because it was raining. ✘

Complete:

We stayed at home because it was raining. ✔

Subordinating conjunctions can express time, reason, condition, contrast, purpose, result, comparison, place, and manner.

Time

Important conjunctions include:

• when
• whenever
• while
• before
• after
• until
• till
• since
• as soon as
• once

Examples:

Call me when you reach home.

Wait here until I return.

She left after the meeting ended.

I will inform you as soon as I receive the result.

Future Meaning after Time Conjunctions

When a subordinate time clause refers to the future, English normally uses a present tense, not will.

Incorrect:

I will call you when I will reach home. ✘

Correct:

I will call you when I reach home. ✔

Incorrect:

Wait until he will come. ✘

Correct:

Wait until he comes. ✔

This rule commonly applies after:

• when
• until
• before
• after
• as soon as
• once

Reason or Cause

Important conjunctions include:

• because
• since
• as

Examples:

We stayed home because it was raining.

Since you are here, we can begin.

As it was getting late, we decided to leave.

Because normally gives the most direct and explicit reason.

Because vs Because of

Because is a conjunction and is followed by a clause.

because + subject + verb

Example:

We stayed home because it was raining.

Because of is a prepositional expression and is followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.

Example:

We stayed home because of the rain.

Incorrect:

We stayed home because of it was raining. ✘

Correct:

We stayed home because it was raining. ✔

Condition

Important conditional conjunctions include:

• if
• unless
• provided that
• providing that
• as long as
• in case

Examples:

If you work hard, you will succeed.

You cannot enter unless you have permission.

You may borrow the book provided that you return it tomorrow.

Unless

Unless generally means if…not.

Example:

You will fail unless you work hard.

Equivalent:

You will fail if you do not work hard.

Therefore, avoid an unnecessary second negative.

Incorrect:

Unless you do not work hard, you will fail. ✘ if the intended meaning is if you do not work hard

Correct:

Unless you work hard, you will fail. ✔

If vs Whether

If commonly introduces a condition.

Example:

If it rains, we will stay home.

Whether commonly introduces alternatives or uncertainty.

Example:

I do not know whether he will come.

Whether is especially preferred:

• before or not
• after a preposition
• before an infinitive
• when alternatives are explicitly presented

Examples:

I do not know whether or not he will come.

It depends on whether she agrees.

I cannot decide whether to stay or leave.

Purpose

Important conjunctions include:

• so that
• in order that
• lest

Examples:

She studies hard so that she can succeed.

He spoke slowly so that everyone could understand him.

We left early in order that we might reach on time.

Lest

Lest means for fear that / to prevent something undesirable from happening.

Traditional examination grammar often uses:

lest + should + V1

Example:

Work hard lest you should fail.

Do not normally add another negative because lest already contains a negative idea.

Contrast or Concession

Important conjunctions include:

• although
• though
• even though
• whereas
• while

Examples:

Although he was tired, he continued working.

Though she is young, she is very responsible.

Rahul likes tea, whereas Mohan prefers coffee.

Although/Though vs Despite/In Spite of

Although/Though are followed by a clause.

Example:

Although he was tired, he continued working.

Despite/In spite of are followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.

Examples:

Despite his tiredness, he continued working.

In spite of being tired, he continued working.

Compare:

• although + subject + verb
• despite + noun/gerund
• in spite of + noun/gerund

Result

Important structures include:

so + adjective/adverb + that

Example:

He was so tired that he could not walk.

such + noun phrase + that

Example:

It was such a difficult question that nobody could answer it.

Compare:

• so difficult that…
• such a difficult question that…

So…That

Structure:

so + adjective/adverb + that + clause

Examples:

She was so weak that she could not stand.

He ran so quickly that nobody could catch him.

Such…That

Structure:

such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + that

Example:

It was such a beautiful place that we did not want to leave.

Plural:

They were such difficult questions that many students left them unanswered.

Comparison

Important conjunctions and structures include:

• than
• as…as
• not as/so…as

Examples:

Rahul is taller than Mohan.

Riya is as intelligent as her sister.

This book is not as expensive as that one.

Manner

Important conjunctions include:

• as
• as if
• as though

Examples:

Do as I tell you.

He behaves as if he owned the place.

She looked as though she had seen a ghost.

Place

Important conjunctions include:

• where
• wherever

Examples:

Sit where you like.

Wherever she goes, she makes friends.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions are conjunctions that work in pairs.

Important pairs include:

• both…and
• either…or
• neither…nor
• not only…but also
• whether…or
• rather…than
• no sooner…than
• hardly/scarcely…when
• so…that
• such…that

The two parts of a correlative conjunction work together to connect grammatically related elements.

Both…And

Used to include two persons, things, or ideas.

Example:

Both Rahul and Mohan are present.

Another example:

She is both intelligent and hardworking.

Because two subjects joined by both…and are normally plural:

Both Rahul and Mohan are students.

Either…Or

Used to indicate a choice between alternatives.

Example:

You can have either tea or coffee.

With subjects:

Either Rahul or Mohan will attend the meeting.

Neither…Nor

Used to exclude both alternatives.

Example:

Neither Rahul nor Mohan was present.

Another example:

She neither called nor sent a message.

Avoid unnecessary additional negatives.

Incorrect:

I do not like neither tea nor coffee. ✘ in standard formal English

Correct:

I like neither tea nor coffee. ✔

or:

I do not like either tea or coffee. ✔

Subject–Verb Agreement with Either…Or and Neither…Nor

When subjects joined by either…or or neither…nor differ in number/person, traditional competitive-exam grammar generally makes the verb agree with the nearer subject.

Examples:

Either the teacher or the students are responsible.

Either the students or the teacher is responsible.

Neither Rahul nor his friends are coming.

For formal writing, awkward combinations can often be rewritten for clarity.

Not Only…But Also

Used to add emphasis to two related elements.

Example:

She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

Another example:

He not only teaches English but also writes books.

Parallelism is essential.

Incorrect:

She likes not only reading but also to swim. ✘

Correct:

She likes not only reading but also swimming. ✔

Inversion with Not Only

When not only begins a clause, subject–auxiliary inversion is normally required in that clause.

Normal:

He not only lost the match but also injured himself.

Fronted:

Not only did he lose the match, but he also injured himself.

Incorrect:

Not only he lost the match… ✘

Correct:

Not only did he lose the match… ✔

Whether…Or

Used to present alternatives.

Example:

Whether you agree or disagree, you must listen carefully.

Another example:

I do not know whether he will stay or leave.

Rather…Than

Expresses preference.

Example:

I would rather stay at home than go out.

Another example:

She decided to walk rather than take a taxi.

Keep the structures parallel.

No Sooner…Than

Used when one action happens immediately after another.

Example:

No sooner had I reached the station than the train arrived.

Structure:

No sooner + had + subject + V3 + than + Simple Past

Remember:

No sooner…than

not:

No sooner…when

Hardly/Scarcely…When

Examples:

Hardly had I reached the station when the train arrived.

Scarcely had she entered the room when the phone rang.

Remember:

• no sooner…than
• hardly…when
• scarcely…when

So…That

Example:

The box was so heavy that I could not lift it.

Such…That

Example:

It was such a heavy box that I could not lift it.

Compare:

so + adjective/adverb

such + noun phrase

Sentence Connectors

Sentence Connectors are words or phrases used to show the logical relationship between sentences, clauses, or larger parts of a text.

Unlike ordinary coordinating conjunctions, many sentence connectors are conjunctive adverbs or transitional expressions.

They are especially useful in:

• essays
• comprehension
• paragraph writing
• cloze tests
• sentence rearrangement
• formal writing

Sentence connectors can express addition, contrast, result, reason, example, sequence, comparison, conclusion, and emphasis.

Connectors of Addition

Important examples:

• moreover
• furthermore
• additionally
• in addition
• besides
• also
• likewise

Examples:

The course is affordable. Moreover, it provides quality study material.

The plan is practical. Furthermore, it can be implemented quickly.

Connectors of Contrast

Important examples:

• however
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• on the other hand
• in contrast
• conversely
• still
• yet

Example:

The examination was difficult. However, many students performed well.

Another example:

The proposal is expensive. Nevertheless, it may be necessary.

But vs However

But is a coordinating conjunction.

Correct:

The task was difficult, but we completed it.

However is usually a sentence connector/conjunctive adverb.

Correct:

The task was difficult. However, we completed it.

Also correct:

The task was difficult; however, we completed it.

Avoid treating however exactly like but in formal punctuation.

Incorrect:

The task was difficult, however we completed it. ✘ as a standard formal comma splice

Connectors of Cause and Result

Important examples:

• therefore
• consequently
• hence
• thus
• as a result
• accordingly

Examples:

It rained heavily. Therefore, the match was cancelled.

The company suffered heavy losses. Consequently, it reduced expenditure.

He did not prepare adequately. As a result, he failed the examination.

Because vs Therefore

Because introduces the reason.

The match was cancelled because it rained heavily.

Therefore introduces the result.

It rained heavily. Therefore, the match was cancelled.

Think of the relationship as:

Reason → therefore → Result

or:

Result ← because ← Reason

Connectors for Examples

Important expressions:

• for example
• for instance
• such as
• namely

Examples:

Several renewable energy sources are available. For example, solar and wind energy are widely used.

Many fruits, such as apples and oranges, contain important nutrients.

Connectors of Sequence

Important examples:

• first
• firstly
• second
• secondly
• next
• then
• afterwards
• subsequently
• finally
• eventually

Example:

First, collect the information. Next, organise it. Finally, write the report.

These connectors are particularly useful in process descriptions and paragraph organisation.

Connectors of Comparison or Similarity

Important examples:

• similarly
• likewise
• in the same way
• equally

Example:

Urban areas face severe air pollution. Similarly, many industrial regions suffer from poor air quality.

Connectors of Emphasis

Important examples:

• indeed
• in fact
• certainly
• above all
• particularly
• especially

Examples:

The project was difficult. In fact, it was the most challenging assignment of the year.

Education is important. Above all, it empowers individuals.

Connectors of Conclusion or Summary

Important examples:

• therefore
• thus
• in conclusion
• to conclude
• in summary
• to sum up
• overall

Example:

In conclusion, sustainable development requires both economic growth and environmental protection.

Connectors of Alternative

Important examples:

• alternatively
• otherwise
• instead

Examples:

You may take the bus. Alternatively, you can travel by train.

Leave now; otherwise, you will miss the train.

Connector Classification at a Glance

Common Errors

Conjunction errors frequently arise from double conjunctions, incorrect pairs, faulty parallelism, unnecessary negatives, wrong verb agreement, and confusion between conjunctions and sentence connectors.

Although…But

Do not normally use although/though and but together to connect the same two clauses.

Incorrect:

Although he was poor, but he was honest. ✘

Correct:

Although he was poor, he was honest. ✔

or:

He was poor, but he was honest. ✔

Because…So

Avoid using because and so together for the same cause-result relationship.

Incorrect:

Because it was raining, so we stayed home. ✘

Correct:

Because it was raining, we stayed home. ✔

or:

It was raining, so we stayed home. ✔

Though…Yet

Traditional grammar permits constructions such as:

Though he is poor, yet he is honest.

However, in modern standard English, the simpler construction is usually preferred:

Though he is poor, he is honest.

For most competitive-exam sentence correction, avoid unnecessary duplication unless the specific accepted construction is being tested.

Unless with Another Negative

Incorrect:

Unless you do not study, you will fail. ✘ when the intended meaning is if you do not study

Correct:

Unless you study, you will fail. ✔

Remember:

unless = if…not

Until with Another Negative

Unlike unless, until does not simply mean if not. Negative structures with until can be perfectly correct.

Example:

I will not leave until you return.

Therefore, do not apply the unless rule mechanically to until.

Either…Or

Incorrect:

Either Rahul nor Mohan will come. ✘

Correct:

Either Rahul or Mohan will come. ✔

Remember the pair:

either…or

Neither…Nor

Incorrect:

Neither Rahul or Mohan was present. ✘

Correct:

Neither Rahul nor Mohan was present. ✔

Remember:

neither…nor

Both…And

Incorrect:

Both Rahul as well as Mohan attended the meeting. ✘

Correct:

Both Rahul and Mohan attended the meeting. ✔

or:

Rahul as well as Mohan attended the meeting. ✔

Do not mix two different structures.

Not Only…But Also

Incorrect:

She is not only intelligent and also hardworking. ✘

Correct:

She is not only intelligent but also hardworking. ✔

Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

Incorrect:

She wants either to study medicine or engineering. ✘ if strict structural parallelism is required

Better:

She wants to study either medicine or engineering. ✔

or:

She wants either to study medicine or to study engineering. ✔

The elements joined should be grammatically parallel.

No Sooner…Than

Incorrect:

No sooner had he arrived when it started raining. ✘

Correct:

No sooner had he arrived than it started raining. ✔

Hardly/Scarcely…When

Incorrect:

Hardly had he arrived than it started raining. ✘

Correct:

Hardly had he arrived when it started raining. ✔

Remember:

• No sooner → than
• Hardly → when
• Scarcely → when

Inversion after No Sooner/Hardly/Scarcely

Incorrect:

No sooner he had reached the station than the train arrived. ✘

Correct:

No sooner had he reached the station than the train arrived. ✔

Incorrect:

Hardly I had reached home when it started raining. ✘

Correct:

Hardly had I reached home when it started raining. ✔

Not Only at the Beginning

Incorrect:

Not only he is intelligent, but he is also hardworking. ✘

Correct:

Not only is he intelligent, but he is also hardworking. ✔

Fronted negative/restrictive expressions generally require inversion.

Because vs Because of

Incorrect:

He stayed home because of he was ill. ✘

Correct:

He stayed home because he was ill. ✔

or:

He stayed home because of his illness. ✔

Remember:

• because + clause
• because of + noun/noun phrase

Although vs Despite

Incorrect:

Despite he was tired, he continued working. ✘

Correct:

Although he was tired, he continued working. ✔

or:

Despite being tired, he continued working. ✔

or:

Despite his tiredness, he continued working. ✔

Despite Of

Incorrect:

Despite of the rain, we continued playing. ✘

Correct:

Despite the rain, we continued playing. ✔

or:

In spite of the rain, we continued playing. ✔

Remember:

• despite
• in spite of

If vs Unless

Compare:

If you do not hurry, you will miss the bus.

Unless you hurry, you will miss the bus.

Both express approximately the same idea.

But do not mechanically replace every if…not construction with unless. The intended meaning and context must remain the same.

If vs Whether

Incorrect in formal usage:

It depends on if he agrees. ✘

Preferred:

It depends on whether he agrees. ✔

After a preposition, whether is preferred.

Correct:

I do not know whether to go.

So vs Such

Incorrect:

It was so difficult question that nobody answered it. ✘

Correct:

It was such a difficult question that nobody answered it. ✔

Correct:

The question was so difficult that nobody answered it. ✔

Remember:

• so + adjective/adverb
• such + noun phrase

Too…To vs So…That

Compare:

The box is too heavy for me to lift.

Equivalent idea:

The box is so heavy that I cannot lift it.

Avoid incorrect mixtures such as:

The box is too heavy that I cannot lift it. ✘

Wrong Use of Will after If

In an ordinary first conditional:

Incorrect:

If you will work hard, you will succeed. ✘

Correct:

If you work hard, you will succeed. ✔

Structure:

If + Simple Present, will + V1

However, will may occur in an if-clause when it expresses willingness, insistence, or another special meaning.

Wrong Use of Will after When

Incorrect:

I will call you when I will reach home. ✘

Correct:

I will call you when I reach home. ✔

Similarly:

• when I arrive
• after she comes
• before he leaves
• until she returns
• as soon as they finish

And vs But

Incorrect logical connector:

He is poor and honest. may simply add two facts.

If the intended idea is contrast:

He is poor but honest.

Choose conjunctions according to the logical relationship, not merely grammatical possibility.

However as a Coordinating Conjunction

Incorrect in standard formal punctuation:

He worked hard, however he failed. ✘

Correct:

He worked hard, but he failed. ✔

or:

He worked hard; however, he failed. ✔

or:

He worked hard. However, he failed. ✔

Therefore after Because

Avoid redundant cause-result markers.

Incorrect:

Because he was ill, therefore he stayed home. ✘

Correct:

Because he was ill, he stayed home. ✔

or:

He was ill; therefore, he stayed home. ✔

Common Conjunction Pairs

Important Conjunctions by Function

Revision Table

Most Important Rules to Remember

• Coordinating conjunctions join elements of equal grammatical rank.
  • Remember FANBOYS:
    • For
    • And
    • Nor
    • But
    • Or
    • Yet
    • So
• Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses:
  • because → reason
  • although → contrast
  • if → condition
  • when → time
  • so that → purpose
• Avoid:
  • Although…but ✘
  • Because…so ✘
• Remember:
  • because + clause
  • because of + noun/noun phrase
• Remember:
  • although + clause
  • despite + noun/gerund
  • in spite of + noun/gerund
• Unless normally means if…not:
  • Unless you study, you will fail.
• In ordinary future conditions:
  • If you work hard, you will succeed. ✔
  • If you will work hard… ✘
• In future time clauses:
  • I will call when I reach home. ✔
  • when I will reach home ✘
• Learn the correlative pairs exactly:
  • both…and
  • either…or
  • neither…nor
  • not only…but also
  • whether…or
  • rather…than
• Remember:
  • no sooner…than
  • hardly…when
  • scarcely…when
• When no sooner, hardly, scarcely, not only begin a clause, they commonly require subject–auxiliary inversion:
  • No sooner had he arrived…
  • Hardly had I reached…
  • Not only did she win…
• Maintain parallel structure with correlative conjunctions:
  • She likes both reading and writing. ✔
  • She likes both reading and to write. ✘
• With either…or and neither…nor, traditional examination grammar generally makes the verb agree with the nearer subject.
• Distinguish conjunctions from sentence connectors:
  • He was tired, but he continued.
  • He was tired; however, he continued.
• Common sentence connectors include:
  • Addition → moreover, furthermore
  • Contrast → however, nevertheless
  • Result → therefore, consequently
  • Example → for example, for instance
  • Similarity → similarly, likewise
  • Conclusion → in conclusion, to sum up

A strong understanding of conjunctions and connectors helps students identify the logical relationship between ideas. This is particularly important in error detection, sentence correction, fill in the blanks, cloze tests, sentence rearrangement, reading comprehension and formal writing.