English Grammar 41: Some Conjunctions and Their Uses

Chapter 41: Some Conjunctions and Their Uses

Welcome to Chapter 41! In this chapter, we are going to learn about specific conjunctions and how they are used in English. Conjunctions are "joining words"—they connect words, phrases, or clauses. Understanding the exact job of each conjunction will help you write clearer and more advanced sentences.

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1. The Conjunction "Since"

Explanation: The word "since" is a very hardworking conjunction. It usually does one of two jobs: it either tells us when something started, or it tells us why something is happening.

Meaning 1: Time (From and after the time when)

When used for time, "since" connects a past event to the present.

• Rule: When "since" is used to show time, the verb before it should usually be in the present perfect tense (has/have + past participle), and the verb after it should be in the simple past tense.

Original Examples:

• I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last.
• Many things have happened since I left school.
• I have never seen him since that unfortunate event happened.

Meaning 2: Cause (Seeing that, inasmuch as, because)

When used for cause, "since" simply means "because" or "seeing as."

Original Examples:

• Since you wish it, it shall be done.
• Since you will not work, you shall not eat.
• Since that is the case, I shall excuse you.

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Mistake: Using the wrong tense for time (e.g., "I am happy since I meet you.").
• Tip: Remember the formula: [Present Perfect] + SINCE + [Simple Past] → "I have been happy since I met you."

Practice Exercise: Since

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms or identify the meaning of "since".

1. I (not/eat) _______ anything since I (wake) _______ up.
2. Since it is raining, we will stay indoors. (Does this mean Time or Cause?)

Solutions & Explanations:

1. have not eaten / woke: (Time rule: Present perfect before 'since', simple past after).
2. Cause: It gives the reason for staying indoors.

Quick Summary

"Since" means either "from that time" (requires present perfect + simple past) or "because/seeing that".

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2. The Conjunction "Or"

Explanation: "Or" is a coordinating conjunction used to show choices, alternatives, or consequences.

Important Uses & Original Examples

• 1. To introduce an alternative (a choice):
  • Your purse or your life.
  • You must work or starve.
  • You may take this book or that one.
  • Note: You can link multiple choices: He may study law or medicine or engineering, or he may enter into trade.
• 2. To introduce an alternative name or synonym:
  • The violin or fiddle has become the leading instrument of the modern orchestra.
• 3. To mean "otherwise" (a consequence):
  • We must hasten or night will overtake us.
• 4. As nearly equivalent to "and" (in negative contexts):
  • The troops were not wanting in strength or courage, but they were badly fed.

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Mistake: Using "or" when both things are required.
• Tip: If you need both, use "and". If you only need one, use "or".

Practice Exercise: Or

Identify how "or" is used in the following sentences (Choice, Synonym, Otherwise, or 'And'):

1. Study hard, or you will fail the exam.
2. The cougar, or mountain lion, is a large wild cat.

Solutions & Explanations:

1. Otherwise: It shows the consequence of not studying.
2. Synonym: "Mountain lion" is another name for a "cougar".

Quick Summary

"Or" shows a choice between items, provides a synonym, warns of a consequence ("otherwise"), or acts like "and" in negative sentences.

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3. The Conjunction "If"

Explanation: "If" is a subordinating conjunction primarily used to set up conditions (things that must happen for something else to happen).

Important Uses & Original Examples

• 1. On the condition or supposition that (Conditional):
  • If he is there, I shall see him.
  • If that is so, I am content.
• 2. Admitting that (Concession):
  • If I am blunt, I am at least honest.
  • If I am poor, yet I am honest.
• 3. Whether (Indirect questions):
  • I asked him if he would help me.
  • I wonder if he will come.
• 4. Whenever (Habitual action):
  • If I feel any doubt I inquire.
• 5. To express wish or surprise:
  • If I only knew!

Practice Exercise: If

Match the use of "if" in the sentence to its meaning:

1. I don't know if she likes chocolate.
2. If I make a mistake, I always apologize.

Solutions & Explanations:

1. Whether: It introduces an indirect question/uncertainty.
2. Whenever: It shows a habitual response to an action.

Quick Summary

"If" introduces conditions, admissions, indirect questions ("whether"), habitual times ("whenever"), or wishes.

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4. The Conjunction "That"

Explanation: "That" is a very versatile word. As a conjunction, it evolved from being a demonstrative pronoun and is used to connect clauses to show reason, purpose, or result.

Important Uses & Original Examples

• 1. To express Reason or Cause (equivalent to because):
  • Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
  • He was annoyed that he was contradicted.
• 2. To express Purpose (equivalent to 'in order that'): (Note: Rarely used this way today)
  • We sow that we may reap.
  • He kept quiet that the dispute might cease.
• 3. To express Consequence, Result, or Effect:
  • I am so tired that I cannot go on.
  • He bled so profusely that he died.
  • He was so tired that he could scarcely stand.

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Mistake: Forgetting the "so" when expressing a result (e.g., "I was tired that I slept.").
• Tip: Always pair "that" with "so" or "such" when showing a result: "I was so tired that I slept."

Practice Exercise: That

Identify if "that" is showing Reason, Purpose, or Result:

1. She spoke so softly that nobody could hear her.
2. I am thrilled that you won the match.

Solutions & Explanations:

1. Result: Her speaking softly resulted in nobody hearing her.
2. Reason: The reason I am thrilled is your victory.

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5. The Conjunction "Than"

Explanation: "Than" is exclusively used for making comparisons. It always follows adjectives and adverbs that are in the comparative degree (words ending in -er, or preceded by "more").

Original Examples

• Wisdom is better than rubies (are).
• I see you oftener than (I see) him.
• I am better acquainted with the country than you are.
• I would rather suffer than that you should want.

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Mistake: Confusing "than" with "then".
• Tip: "Than" is for comparing. "Then" is for time.

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6. The Conjunction "Lest"

Explanation: "Lest" is an old-fashioned subordinating conjunction. It means "in order that... not" or "for fear that". It expresses a negative purpose.

• Rule: In modern English, "lest" is almost always followed by the modal verb should. After words showing fear, it can also act like "that".

Original Examples

• Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty.
• Do not be idle, lest you come to want.
• He fled lest he should be killed.
• I was alarmed lest we should be wrecked.
• I feared lest I might anger thee.

Practice Exercise: Lest

Complete the sentence correctly:

1. Walk carefully lest you _______ fall.

Solutions & Explanations:

1. should: The modern idiomatic construction after "lest" requires "should".

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7. The Conjunction "While"

Explanation: "While" is used to show two things happening at the same time, or to show a contrast between two ideas.

Important Uses & Original Examples

• 1. During the time that / as long as:
  • While he was sleeping, an enemy sowed tares.
  • While there is life there is hope.
• 2. At the same time that:
  • The girls sang while the boys played.
  • While he found fault, he also praised.
• 3. Whereas (showing contrast):
  • While I have no money to spend, you have nothing to spend on.
  • While this is true of some, it is not true of all.

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8. "Only", "Except", and "Without"

These three words can sometimes act as conjunctions, but their usage has specific rules in modern English.

A. Only

Means "except that", "but", or "were it not (that)".

Original Examples:

• A very pretty woman, only she squints a little.
• The day is pleasant, only rather cold.
• He does well, only that he is nervous at the start.
• I would go with you, only I have no money.

B. Except

Once used commonly to mean "unless," but this is now outdated. In modern English, we use "unless" instead.

Original Examples (Old English):

• Except (= unless) ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
• Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

C. Without

Using "without" to mean "unless" is considered bad English today.

Original Example (Incorrect Usage):

• I shall not go without you do. (Correct: I shall not go unless you do.)

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9. Because, For, Since (Causal Conjunctions)

Explanation: All three of these conjunctions give a reason, but they have different levels of strength.

Conjunction	Strength of Cause	Explanation
Because	Strongest	Used when the reason is the most important part of the sentence.
Since	Medium	Used when the reason is already known to the listener.
For	Weakest	Used as an afterthought, giving a gentle explanation or extra information.

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End of Chapter Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Test your knowledge on Chapter 41! Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Which conjunction correctly fills the blank? "I have not seen my grandfather _______ last Christmas."
   A) for
   B) since
   C) because
   D) while
   Correct Answer: B) since. Explanation: "Since" is used to denote "from and after the time when" an event started.
2. Identify the correct tense structure when using "since" for time: "He _______ completely since he _______ his job."
   A) changed / lose
   B) changes / lost
   C) has changed / lost
   D) had changed / loses
   Correct Answer: C) has changed / lost. Explanation: "Since" for time is preceded by the present perfect tense and followed by the simple past tense.
3. In the sentence "We must hurry, or we will miss the train," what does "or" mean?
   A) A synonym
   B) Otherwise
   C) An addition
   D) A question
   Correct Answer: B) Otherwise. Explanation: "Or" is used here to introduce the negative consequence if the first action is not taken.
4. Which sentence uses "or" to introduce a synonym?
   A) You can have tea or coffee.
   B) The cinema or movies are great for entertainment.
   C) The common cold, or acute coryza, is a viral infection.
   D) Run fast or you will be late.
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "Acute coryza" is another medical name (synonym) for the common cold.
5. What does "if" mean in this sentence: "I asked the teacher if I could leave early."?
   A) On the condition that
   B) Admitting that
   C) Whether
   D) Whenever
   Correct Answer: C) Whether. Explanation: "If" is used here to introduce an indirect question, meaning "whether".
6. Which of the following is a correct use of "if" to show concession (admitting something)?
   A) If it rains, I will stay home.
   B) If I am slow, I am at least accurate.
   C) I wonder if he is okay.
   D) If only I had more time!
   Correct Answer: B. Explanation: The speaker admits they are slow, but counters it with being accurate.
7. Fill in the blank: "He was so frightened _______ he could not speak."
   A) than
   B) if
   C) that
   D) lest
   Correct Answer: C) that. Explanation: "That" is used here to express the consequence or result of being frightened.
8. In older English, "We eat that we may live," "that" expresses:
   A) Reason
   B) Result
   C) Purpose
   D) Condition
   Correct Answer: C) Purpose. Explanation: It is equivalent to "in order that".
9. "Than" must always be preceded by:
   A) A noun
   B) A preposition
   C) An adjective or adverb in the comparative degree
   D) A superlative adjective
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "Than" is a conjunction of comparison and requires a comparative word (e.g., better, faster, more).
10. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
    A) She is taller then me.
    B) She is taller than I am.
    C) She is more tall then I am.
    D) She is tall than me.
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: "Than" is the correct conjunction for comparison, following the comparative adjective "taller".
11. "Lest" is equivalent to:
    A) In order that... not
    B) As long as
    C) Because
    D) Unless
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: "Lest" expresses a negative purpose or fear that something might happen.
12. Which modal verb is traditionally used after "lest"?
    A) Will
    B) Can
    C) Should
    D) Must
    Correct Answer: C) Should. Explanation: The modern idiomatic construction requires "should" (e.g., "Study hard lest you should fail").
13. In the sentence "While I understand your point, I disagree," what does "while" express?
    A) Time
    B) Contrast (Whereas)
    C) Reason
    D) Purpose
    Correct Answer: B) Contrast. Explanation: It is used similarly to "whereas" to show two contrasting ideas.
14. "I would buy that car, only it is too expensive." Here, "only" means:
    A) Simply
    B) Just
    C) Except that / But
    D) Alone
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: As a conjunction, "only" means "were it not for the fact that" or "except that".
15. According to modern grammar rules, using "without" to mean "unless" is:
    A) Highly recommended
    B) Considered bad English
    C) Used only in formal writing
    D) Correct if followed by a noun
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Saying "I won't go without you do" is incorrect; "unless" should be used instead.
16. In modern English, the old use of the conjunction "except" has been replaced by:
    A) Until
    B) Unless
    C) Because
    D) Since
    Correct Answer: B) Unless. Explanation: Sentences like "Except a man be born again" translate to "Unless a man..." in modern English.
17. Which of the following causal conjunctions expresses the closest or strongest cause?
    A) Since
    B) For
    C) Because
    D) As
    Correct Answer: C) Because. Explanation: "Because" denotes the strongest causal connection among the three.
18. Which of the following causal conjunctions expresses the weakest cause, often used as an afterthought?
    A) Because
    B) Since
    C) For
    D) That
    Correct Answer: C) For. Explanation: "For" gives a weak cause or simply adds explanatory information.
19. "Since you will not work, you shall not eat." Here, "since" is used to express:
    A) Time
    B) Purpose
    C) Consequence
    D) Cause (Seeing that)
    Correct Answer: D) Cause. Explanation: It provides the reason why the person shall not eat.
20. Identify the correctly constructed sentence showing result:
    A) The box was heavy that I dropped it.
    B) The box was so heavy that I dropped it.
    C) The box was heavy lest I dropped it.
    D) The box was so heavy than I dropped it.
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: "So... that" correctly pairs up to express a result or consequence.