A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses. Choosing the right conjunction depends on the logical relationship between the two parts of the sentence: addition, contrast, reason, condition, time, etc.
AND = addition; BUT/YET = contrast; OR = choice; SO = result; BECAUSE = reason.
ALTHOUGH/THOUGH = contrast; IF = condition; WHEN = time; UNTIL = duration.
BOTH...AND, EITHER...OR, NEITHER...NOR, NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO are correlative pairs.
SO THAT shows purpose; BECAUSE shows reason — don't confuse them.
UNLESS = if not: 'You will fail unless you study hard.'
Coordinating Conjunctions (join equal parts): • AND — addition: She sings and dances. • BUT — contrast: He is rich but unhappy. • OR — choice/alternative: Study hard or you will fail. • NOR — negative alternative: He neither eats nor sleeps well. • SO — result: It rained, so we stayed home. • YET — contrast (= but): She is poor, yet happy. • FOR — reason (formal): He left early, for he was tired.
Subordinating Conjunctions (join dependent + main clause): • BECAUSE / SINCE / AS — reason • ALTHOUGH / THOUGH / EVEN THOUGH — contrast • IF / UNLESS — condition • WHEN / WHILE / AS SOON AS — time • UNTIL / TILL — duration • SO THAT / IN ORDER THAT — purpose • THAT — noun clause connector • WHETHER — alternative/indirect question
Correlative Conjunctions (used in pairs): • EITHER...OR, NEITHER...NOR • BOTH...AND • NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO • THOUGH...YET, SCARCELY...WHEN
Fill in the blanks with a suitable conjunction:
She was tired, _____ she kept working. → yet / but
He will pass _____ he works hard. → if
I cannot go _____ I have no money. → because / as / since
Wait here _____ I return. → until / till
She studied hard _____ she failed the exam. → yet / but / although
He is _____ intelligent _____ hardworking. → both...and
Hurry up _____ you will miss the train. → or
She spoke softly _____ everyone could hear her. → so that
_____ it was cold, she did not wear a coat. → Although / Though / Even though
I will call you _____ I reach home. → when / as soon as
He is _____ brave _____ intelligent. → not only...but also
She could not decide _____ to go or stay. → whether
He tried hard _____ could not succeed. → but
_____ it rains heavily, the match will be cancelled. → If
She left _____ I arrived. → before / when
_____ she was late, the teacher scolded her. → Because / As / Since
He walked slowly _____ he was weak. → because / as
She _____ sings _____ dances at every event. → both...and
I will wait _____ you finish your work. → until / till
He is honest _____ trustworthy. → and
She is poor _____ content. → but / yet
_____ she cried, nobody helped her. → Though / Although
You must leave now _____ you will be late. → or / otherwise
He worked day _____ night to complete the project. → and
He did not eat _____ did he sleep. → nor
'Because' gives the reason for something that already happened: 'She stayed home because she was ill.' 'So that' expresses the purpose/intention: 'She spoke quietly so that no one would hear.' Use 'because' to explain why; use 'so that' to explain the intended result.
'Although' shows a contrast — two things that seem to contradict: 'Although he is rich, he is unhappy.' 'Because' shows a reason — one thing explains the other: 'He is unhappy because he is lonely.' If the two clauses contrast, use although; if one explains the other, use because.
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