It is of two types: coordinating conjunction and subordinating conjunction.
Coordinating Conjunction: Conjunction used to join two independent statements or two statements of equal rank or importance is called a coordinating conjunction.
Coordinating Conjunction: Conjunction used to join two independent statements or two statements of equal rank or importance is called a coordinating conjunction.
And, both...and, as well as, no less than, not only ... but also
These connectives are used to add one statement or fact to another.
Examples:
Rekha sings and Radha dances.
Both John and Mary are singing.
She as well as you are wise.
He bought not only a pen but also a pencil.
These connectives are used to add one statement or fact to another.
Examples:
Rekha sings and Radha dances.
Both John and Mary are singing.
She as well as you are wise.
He bought not only a pen but also a pencil.
But, still, yet, nevertheless, whereas, while
These connectives are used to express opposition or contrast between two statements.
Examples"
The bride is beautiful but impudent.
She is beautiful, while/whereas her sisters are ugly.
He was annoyed, still/yet he was quiet.
There was almost no hope of the patient's survival, nevertheless, the doctors decided to perform the operation.
Or, otherwise, else, either ... or, neither ... nor
These connectives are used to express a choice between two alternatives.
Examples:
Three men or five women can do this work in a day.
You can take either tea or coffee.
He likes neither beer nor wine.
For, so, therefore
These are the conjunctions by which one statement or fact is inferred from another.
Examples:
The beggar took the food eagerly, for he had eaten nothing since dawn.
She has been working hard, so she will pass.
We missed the bus, therefore we took a taxi.
These connectives are used to express opposition or contrast between two statements.
Examples"
The bride is beautiful but impudent.
She is beautiful, while/whereas her sisters are ugly.
He was annoyed, still/yet he was quiet.
There was almost no hope of the patient's survival, nevertheless, the doctors decided to perform the operation.
Or, otherwise, else, either ... or, neither ... nor
These connectives are used to express a choice between two alternatives.
Examples:
Three men or five women can do this work in a day.
You can take either tea or coffee.
He likes neither beer nor wine.
For, so, therefore
These are the conjunctions by which one statement or fact is inferred from another.
Examples:
The beggar took the food eagerly, for he had eaten nothing since dawn.
She has been working hard, so she will pass.
We missed the bus, therefore we took a taxi.
Subordinating Conjunctions: A conjunction used to join two statements, one of which is dependent on the other is called a subordinating conjunction.
because, since, as, because of
These connectives are used to express cause or reason.
Examples:
We shall give him due respect because he is our senior.
It shall be done since you wish it.
He will not come today as he is ill.
We could not enjoy or picnic because of heavy rain.
Note: Since and as are used in the context where listener or reader is already familiar with the reason. Since is usually used in negative sentences.
so that, that, in order that, lest
These connectives are used to express purpose. Lest is followed by should and the clause introduced by lest does not take a negative.
Examples:
I am taking a taxi lest I should get late.
He works hard so that/in order that he may pass.
Note: So that / in order that generally follows modal auxiliaries like can, could, shall, should, etc.
so ... that, such ... that
These connectives are used to express results or consequences.
Examples:
She is so weak that she cannot walk.
So good a girl is she that everybody likes her.
Such was her behaviour that we all disliked her.
Note: So in the principal clause and that introducing a subordinate clause suggests result. So that together suggests purpose.
although, though, even though, although ... yet, in spite of, despite
These connectives are used to express concession or contrast.
Examples:
She is honest, although/though she is poor.
Although he lost heavily yet he did not lose heart.
Note: In spite of or Despite take noun phrases.
Examples
In spite of being very poor, he travels in a taxi.
Despite her hard study, she failed the exam.
before, after, since, as soon as, as long as, till, until, when
These connectives are used to express time.
Examples:
He will ring her up as soon as he reaches home.
She will have to wait till/until her boss comes.
The patient showed boldness as long as the doctor was there.
a. Because: Used with all types of reason with a statement
b. Because of: Join the statement & reason when the reason is in a noun phrase
c. As: Used when the result is already known
d. Since: Used when the reason is negatives
⮚ Purpose connective
a. to/in order to: Used before a action verb + to/in order to + V1 + purpose
b. So that: Used to link action & purpose Action + so that + purpose [contains auxiliary (model)]
⮚ Connectives of unexpected results
a. Although/even though/though: used for unexpected results
b. in spite of: used with noun group, gerund, pronoun
because, since, as, because of
These connectives are used to express cause or reason.
Examples:
We shall give him due respect because he is our senior.
It shall be done since you wish it.
He will not come today as he is ill.
We could not enjoy or picnic because of heavy rain.
Note: Since and as are used in the context where listener or reader is already familiar with the reason. Since is usually used in negative sentences.
so that, that, in order that, lest
These connectives are used to express purpose. Lest is followed by should and the clause introduced by lest does not take a negative.
Examples:
I am taking a taxi lest I should get late.
He works hard so that/in order that he may pass.
Note: So that / in order that generally follows modal auxiliaries like can, could, shall, should, etc.
so ... that, such ... that
These connectives are used to express results or consequences.
Examples:
She is so weak that she cannot walk.
So good a girl is she that everybody likes her.
Such was her behaviour that we all disliked her.
Note: So in the principal clause and that introducing a subordinate clause suggests result. So that together suggests purpose.
although, though, even though, although ... yet, in spite of, despite
These connectives are used to express concession or contrast.
Examples:
She is honest, although/though she is poor.
Although he lost heavily yet he did not lose heart.
Note: In spite of or Despite take noun phrases.
Examples
In spite of being very poor, he travels in a taxi.
Despite her hard study, she failed the exam.
before, after, since, as soon as, as long as, till, until, when
These connectives are used to express time.
Examples:
He will ring her up as soon as he reaches home.
She will have to wait till/until her boss comes.
The patient showed boldness as long as the doctor was there.
Things to Remember
⮚ Reason connectivesa. Because: Used with all types of reason with a statement
b. Because of: Join the statement & reason when the reason is in a noun phrase
c. As: Used when the result is already known
d. Since: Used when the reason is negatives
⮚ Purpose connective
a. to/in order to: Used before a action verb + to/in order to + V1 + purpose
b. So that: Used to link action & purpose Action + so that + purpose [contains auxiliary (model)]
⮚ Connectives of unexpected results
a. Although/even though/though: used for unexpected results
b. in spite of: used with noun group, gerund, pronoun
Also, Read our other Notes of English for Entrance Exams:
- Article
- Connectives
- Number
- Concord
- Tense Use
- Causative Verbs
- Conditional Sentence
- Voice
- Reported Speech
- Transformation
- Gerund / To-Infinitive
- Sentence Pattern
- Agreement & Disagreement
- Inversion
- Adjectives
- Embedded Question
- Illogical participle Modifiers
- Preposition
- Question Tag
- Pronouns
- Commonly Confused Words
- One Word Substitution
- Words of Comparision
- Specialists
- Phobias
- Killing & Killers
- Graphy Words