English Grammar 40: The Conjunction

Chapter 40: The Conjunction

Welcome to Chapter 40! Imagine trying to build a brick wall without any cement. The bricks would just fall over! In English grammar, conjunctions are the "cement" or "glue" that holds our words, phrases, and sentences together. Let us learn how to use them to make our sentences stronger and more interesting.

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Topic 1: What is a Conjunction?

Explanation

A Conjunction is a word which merely joins together sentences, and sometimes words. By joining sentences together, conjunctions often make them more compact and easier to read.

For example, instead of saying two separate sentences like "Balu is a good bowler. Vithal is a good bowler.", we can use a short way of saying it: "Balu and Vithal are good bowlers".

Solved Examples

• God made the country and man made the town. (Joins two sentences)
• Our hoard is little, but our hearts are great. (Joins two sentences)
• She must weep, or she will die. (Joins two sentences)
• Two and two make four. (Joins two words only)
• Hari and Rama are brothers. (Joins two words only)

Important Rule: Conjunctions vs. Other Connecting Words

You must carefully distinguish conjunctions from Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs, and Prepositions. While they all connect things, they do very different jobs:

• Relative Pronouns: These refer to a noun AND join sentences. Example: This is the house that Jack built. (The word that refers to house and joins the clauses).
• Relative Adverbs: These modify a verb AND join sentences. Example: This is the place where he was murdered. (The word where modifies was murdered).
• Prepositions: These govern a noun or pronoun AND join words. Example: He sat beside Rama.
• Conjunctions: These MERELY join. They do no other work. Example: Take this and give that.

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Topic 2: Correlative Conjunctions (Pairs)

Explanation

Some conjunctions love to work as a team. Some Conjunctions are used in pairs. Conjunctions which are thus used in pairs are called Correlative Conjunctions or merely Correlatives.

Solved Examples

Correlative Pair	Example Sentence
Either ... or	Either take it or leave it.
Neither ... nor	It is neither useful nor ornamental.
Both ... and	We both love and honour him.
Though ... yet	Though he is suffering much pain, yet he does not complain.
Whether ... or	I do not care whether you go or stay.
Not only ... but also	Not only he is foolish, but also obstinate.

Important Placement Rule

When Conjunctions are used as Correlatives, each of the correlated words should be placed immediately before the words to be connected.

• Correct: He visited not only Agra, but also Delhi.
• Incorrect: He not only visited Agra, but also Delhi. (The word 'visited' breaks the proper placement).

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Topic 3: Compound Conjunctions

Explanation

Sometimes, a conjunction is not just one word. We use many compound expressions as Conjunctions; these are called Compound Conjunctions.

Solved Examples

• In order that: The notice was published in order that all might know the facts.
• On condition that: I will forgive you on condition that you do not repeat the offence.
• Even if: Such an act would not be kind even if it were just.
• So that: He saved some bread so that he should not go hungry on the morrow.
• Provided that: You can borrow the book provided that you return it soon.
• As though: He walks as though he is slightly lame.
• Inasmuch as: I must refuse your request, inasmuch as I believe it unreasonable.
• As well as: Rama as well as Govind was present there.
• As soon as: He took off his coat as soon as he entered the house.
• As if: He looks as if he were weary.

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Topic 4: Classes of Conjunctions - Co-ordinating

Explanation

Conjunctions are divided into two main classes: Co-ordinating and Subordinating.

Read the sentence: Birds fly and fish swim. This sentence contains two independent statements of equal rank. A Co-ordinating Conjunction joins together clauses of equal rank. ('Co-ordinating' means of equal rank).

The chief Co-ordinating Conjunctions are: And, but, for, or, nor, also, either-or, neither-nor.

The 4 Kinds of Co-ordinating Conjunctions

1. Cumulative or Copulative: These merely add one statement to another.
   • We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone.
2. Adversative: These express opposition or contrast between two statements.
   • He is slow, but he is sure.
   • I was annoyed, still I kept quiet.
3. Disjunctive or Alternative: These express a choice between two alternatives.
   • She must weep, or she will die.
   • Neither a borrower, nor a lender be.
   • Walk quickly, else you will not overtake him.
4. Illative: These express an inference or a conclusion.
   • Something certainly fell in: for I heard a splash.
   • All precautions must have been neglected, for the plague spread rapidly.

Important Exception

Any of the Co-ordinating Conjunctions, with the exception of or/nor, may be omitted and its place taken by a comma, semicolon, or colon. Example: Rama went out to play; Hari stayed in to work.

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Topic 5: Classes of Conjunctions - Subordinating

Explanation

Read the sentence: I read the paper because it interests me. Here, one statement depends on the other. A Subordinating Conjunction joins a clause to another on which it depends for its full meaning.

The chief Subordinating Conjunctions are: After, because, if, that, though, although, till, before, unless, as, when, where, while. The word than is also a Subordinating Conjunction (e.g., He is taller than I).

Classification by Meaning

Subordinating Conjunctions may be classified according to their meaning:

• 1. Time: I returned home after he had gone.
• 2. Cause or Reason: He may enter, as he is a friend.
• 3. Purpose: We eat so that we may live.
• 4. Result or Consequence: He was so tired that he could scarcely stand.
• 5. Condition: Rama will go if Hari goes.
• 6. Concession: A book's a book, although there's nothing in it.
• 7. Comparison: He is stronger than Rustum.

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Topic 6: Preposition or Conjunction?

Explanation

Certain words are used both as Prepositions and Conjunctions. How do you tell the difference? Look at what follows the word! If a noun or pronoun follows it, it is a Preposition. If a full clause (subject + verb) follows it, it is a Conjunction.

Word	Used as Preposition	Used as Conjunction
Till	Stay till Monday.	We shall stay here till you return.
Since	I have not met him since Monday.	We shall go since you desire it.
For	He died for this country.	I must stay here, for such is my duty.
After	The dog ran after the cat.	We came after they had left.
But	Everybody but Govind was present.	He tried, but did not succeed.
Before	He stood before the painting.	Look before you leap.

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Additional Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify whether the conjunction in bold is Coordinating or Subordinating.

1. I will stay until you return.
2. He is slow, but he is sure.
3. We can travel by land or water.
4. Since you say so, I must believe it.

Solutions:

• 1. Subordinating (indicates Time).
• 2. Coordinating (Adversative, indicates contrast).
• 3. Coordinating (Disjunctive, indicates choice).
• 4. Subordinating (indicates Cause or Reason).

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with a suitable compound or correlative conjunction.

1. He looks ____ he were weary.
2. ____ he is foolish, ____ obstinate.

Solutions:

• 1. as if.
• 2. Not only ... but also.

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Common Mistakes and Tips

• Mistake: Misplacing correlative conjunctions (e.g., "He not only visited Agra, but also Delhi").
• Tip: Always place the correlative words immediately before the parallel words you are connecting. (Correct: "He visited not only Agra, but also Delhi").
• Mistake: Thinking "for" is always a preposition.
• Tip: If "for" means "because" and connects two clauses (e.g., I must stay here, for such is my duty), it is a Conjunction!

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Quick Summary

• A Conjunction merely joins words or sentences without doing any other grammatical work.
• Correlative Conjunctions work in pairs (Either...or, Both...and).
• Compound Conjunctions are phrases that act as joining words (In order that, As well as).
• Co-ordinating Conjunctions join clauses of equal rank (Cumulative, Adversative, Disjunctive, Illative).
• Subordinating Conjunctions join a dependent clause to a main clause, explaining Time, Cause, Purpose, Result, Condition, Concession, or Comparison.

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Chapter Assessment: 20 Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What is the primary function of a Conjunction?
   A. To modify verbs
   B. To govern nouns
   C. To merely join together sentences or words
   D. To act as an object
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: A Conjunction is a word which merely joins together sentences, and sometimes words.
2. How does a Conjunction differ from a Relative Pronoun?
   A. Conjunctions refer back to an antecedent.
   B. Relative Pronouns only join, they do no other work.
   C. Conjunctions merely join, while Relative Pronouns also refer to a noun.
   D. There is no difference.
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: Relative Pronouns refer to a noun and join, while Conjunctions merely join.
3. What do we call conjunctions that are used in pairs?
   A. Compound Conjunctions
   B. Co-ordinating Conjunctions
   C. Correlative Conjunctions
   D. Subordinating Conjunctions
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: Conjunctions which are used in pairs are called Correlative Conjunctions.
4. Which of the following is an example of a Correlative Conjunction?
   A. In order that
   B. Either ... or
   C. Because
   D. As soon as
   Correct Answer: B. Explanation: "Either-or" is used in pairs and is a correlative.
5. Where should Correlative Conjunctions be placed in a sentence?
   A. At the very beginning of the sentence.
   B. At the end of the sentence.
   C. Immediately before the words to be connected.
   D. Between the subject and the verb.
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: Each of the correlated words should be placed immediately before the words to be connected.
6. Which of the following is a Compound Conjunction?
   A. But
   B. Neither-nor
   C. Provided that
   D. Although
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "Provided that" is a compound expression used as a Conjunction.
7. What does a Co-ordinating Conjunction do?
   A. Joins clauses of equal rank.
   B. Joins a dependent clause to a main clause.
   C. Replaces a noun.
   D. Shows direction or position.
   Correct Answer: A. Explanation: A Co-ordinating Conjunction joins together clauses of equal rank.
8. Which of the following is a Co-ordinating Conjunction?
   A. Unless
   B. Because
   C. But
   D. After
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "But" is listed among the chief Co-ordinating Conjunctions.
9. A Cumulative (or Copulative) conjunction does what?
   A. Expresses opposition.
   B. Expresses a choice.
   C. Expresses an inference.
   D. Merely adds one statement to another.
   Correct Answer: D. Explanation: Cumulative or Copulative conjunctions merely add one statement to another.
10. "She must weep, or she will die." What kind of conjunction is 'or' here?
    A. Adversative
    B. Disjunctive (Alternative)
    C. Illative
    D. Cumulative
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Disjunctive or Alternative conjunctions express a choice between two alternatives.
11. "Something certainly fell in: for I heard a splash." What kind of conjunction is 'for'?
    A. Illative
    B. Disjunctive
    C. Subordinating
    D. Adversative
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: Illative conjunctions express an inference, as shown in this example.
12. Which coordinating conjunctions cannot be replaced by a comma, semicolon, or colon?
    A. And, but
    B. Or, nor
    C. For, also
    D. Yet, still
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Any Co-ordinating Conjunction, with the exception of or, nor, may be omitted and its place taken by punctuation.
13. What is the function of a Subordinating Conjunction?
    A. It joins two independent clauses.
    B. It merely adds statements together.
    C. It joins a clause to another on which it depends for its full meaning.
    D. It is used in pairs.
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: A Subordinating Conjunction joins a clause to another on which it depends for its full meaning.
14. Which of the following is a Subordinating Conjunction?
    A. And
    B. Or
    C. But
    D. Because
    Correct Answer: D. Explanation: "Because" is listed as a chief Subordinating Conjunction.
15. "I returned home after he had gone." What meaning does the subordinating conjunction 'after' convey here?
    A. Time
    B. Reason
    C. Purpose
    D. Concession
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: "After" is classified under Time subordinating conjunctions.
16. "We eat so that we may live." What meaning does 'so that' convey here?
    A. Comparison
    B. Condition
    C. Purpose
    D. Result
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "So that" is classified under Purpose subordinating conjunctions.
17. "He will not pay unless he is compelled." What meaning does 'unless' convey?
    A. Condition
    B. Concession
    C. Time
    D. Comparison
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: "Unless" introduces a condition (e.g., Grievances cannot be redressed unless they are known).
18. Is the word "than" considered a conjunction?
    A. No, it is a preposition.
    B. Yes, it is a Co-ordinating Conjunction.
    C. Yes, it is a Subordinating Conjunction.
    D. No, it is an adverb.
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: The word than is also a Subordinating Conjunction.
19. "Everybody but Govind was present." In this sentence, what part of speech is 'but'?
    A. Conjunction
    B. Preposition
    C. Adverb
    D. Pronoun
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Certain words are used both as Prepositions and Conjunctions. In this sentence, 'but' governs a noun (Govind), making it a Preposition.
20. "He tried, but did not succeed." In this sentence, what part of speech is 'but'?
    A. Conjunction
    B. Preposition
    C. Verb
    D. Adjective
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: Here 'but' joins two clauses together, functioning as a Conjunction.