PARTS OF SPEECH : CONJUNCTIONS

Definition

A conjunction is a **joining word**. Its primary job is to connect words, phrases, and clauses to build longer, more complex sentences. Conjunctions help text to flow smoothly instead of sounding like a list of bullet points.

Example of flow:

  • Without Conjunction: Jai saw a dog on the road. He decided to adopt the dog. Jai brought the dog home.
  • With Conjunctions: Jai saw a dog on the road and decided to adopt the dog, so he brought the dog home.

10 Sentence Examples:

  1. I play cricket, and Robin plays football.
  2. Alex plays well, but Robin plays better than him.
  3. I will call you after I finish my work.
  4. She is smart, yet she is very humble.
  5. You can have tea or coffee.
  6. He was tired, so he went to bed early.
  7. When he was sick, I went to see him.
  8. I trust him, for he is an honest man.
  9. He can't drive, nor can he ride a bicycle.
  10. Although it was raining, they went for a walk.

Clauses & Phrases

Understanding clauses and phrases is key to understanding conjunctions.

Clauses

A group of words with a **subject-verb combination**.

  • Independent Clause (IC): Expresses a complete thought. It can be a sentence by itself.
  • Dependent Clause (DC): Does not express a complete thought. It needs an independent clause to make sense.
  1. I went to the market. (IC)
  2. When I came home... (DC)
  3. She loves her dog very much. (IC)
  4. ...because he was tired. (DC)
  5. We bought an ice cream. (IC)
  6. ...after the movie ended. (DC)
  7. The sun rises in the east. (IC)
  8. ...although it was expensive. (DC)
  9. He is a doctor. (IC)
  10. ...while I was sleeping. (DC)

Phrases

A group of words **without** a subject-verb combination. It acts as a single part of speech.

  1. in the morning (Prepositional Phrase)
  2. my naughty kids (Noun Phrase)
  3. has been studying (Verb Phrase)
  4. very quickly (Adverbial Phrase)
  5. under the table (Prepositional Phrase)
  6. a beautiful red car (Noun Phrase)
  7. will be going (Verb Phrase)
  8. extremely happy (Adjectival Phrase)
  9. on the top shelf (Prepositional Phrase)
  10. to pass the exam (Infinitive Phrase)

Types of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

These join two elements of equal grammatical rank (word + word, phrase + phrase, independent clause + independent clause). Remember the acronym **FANBOYS**: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

  1. He bought a book and a pen. (Joins two words)
  2. You can wait at my home or at my office. (Joins two phrases)
  3. I waited for him, but he didn’t come. (Joins two clauses)
  4. She was tired, so she went to sleep.
  5. He doesn't like tea, nor does he like coffee.
  6. The weather was cold, yet it was a beautiful day.
  7. I must go now, for I have an early appointment.
  8. They can play outside, or they can watch a movie.
  9. He is rich, but he is not happy.
  10. She studied hard, so she passed the test.

Correlative Conjunctions

These work in pairs to join grammatically equal elements in a sentence.

  1. Neither Alex nor Robin can play baseball.
  2. I want both the ice cream and the chocolate.
  3. He ate not only the ice cream but also the chocolate.
  4. You must either finish your work or stay home.
  5. Whether you like it or not, you have to do it.
  6. She is as intelligent as her brother.
  7. Hardly had I left the house when it started to rain.
  8. He is not only a good singer but also an excellent actor.
  9. Both my parents and my sister are coming.
  10. You can have neither the cake nor the cookies.

Subordinating Conjunctions

These join an independent clause with a dependent clause, showing a relationship like cause, time, or condition.

  1. Before we left home, I had had my breakfast.
  2. We can start the class provided they come on time.
  3. When he was washing my car, I went to the store.
  4. Even though the weather was horrible, they still went outside.
  5. He could not attend the meeting because he was sick.
  6. I will not go unless you come with me.
  7. She listened to music while she was studying.
  8. He will pass the exam if he works hard.
  9. I have been much happier since I moved to the new city.
  10. Stay here until I get back.

How to Identify Conjunctions: 9 Techniques

1. Meaning-Based Technique (Joining Test)

Easy Explanation: A conjunction is a "joining word" or a "connector." Its main job is to link words, phrases, or clauses together to create a smooth, logical sentence.

  1. I would like pizza and pasta. (Joins two words)
  2. You can wait in the car or by the entrance. (Joins two phrases)
  3. She studied hard, so she passed the exam. (Joins two clauses)
  4. He is slow but steady. (Joins two words)
  5. I will call you after I finish my work. (Joins two clauses)
  6. He is tall and handsome.
  7. The cat is sleeping on the sofa or under the bed.
  8. I wanted to leave, but my friend wanted to stay.
  9. She will be late because her car broke down.
  10. He is wealthy, yet he is unhappy.

2. Types Test (Coordinating, Subordinating, Correlative)

Easy Explanation: Identifying a conjunction is easy if you know its category: Coordinating (FANBOYS), Subordinating (shows relationship), or Correlative (works in pairs).

  1. I was tired, but I finished the project. (Coordinating)
  2. He didn't come because he was sick. (Subordinating)
  3. You can have either the tea or the coffee. (Correlative)
  4. Although it was raining, they went for a walk. (Subordinating)
  5. She is not only intelligent but also kind. (Correlative)
  6. We can go to the movies, or we can stay home. (Coordinating)
  7. I will wait here until you return. (Subordinating)
  8. Both the book and the movie were good. (Correlative)
  9. He worked hard, so he was promoted. (Coordinating)
  10. He will succeed if he perseveres. (Subordinating)

3. Position Test

Easy Explanation: Conjunctions usually appear **between** the elements they connect. Subordinating conjunctions can start a sentence but will still be attached to one of the clauses.

  1. Do you want to go now or later?
  2. He works hard and plays hard.
  3. I trust him, for he has never lied.
  4. If you study, you will get good grades.
  5. The movie was good, although it was a bit long.
  6. She is smart, but she is lazy.
  7. I will stay here while you go to the store.
  8. He must be tired, so he is resting.
  9. Because it was cold, I wore a jacket.
  10. He is strong, yet he is gentle.

4. Deletion Test

Easy Explanation: If you remove the conjunction, the sentence often breaks into two separate, choppy sentences or becomes grammatically incomplete.

  1. I wanted to go, but I was too busy. → (Without: I wanted to go. I was too busy.)
  2. She left while I was sleeping. → (Without: She left. I was sleeping.)
  3. You will succeed if you work hard. → (Without: You will succeed. You work hard.)
  4. He brought a jacket and an umbrella. → (Without: He brought a jacket. An umbrella.)
  5. She cried because she was sad. → (Without: She cried. She was sad.)
  6. I will wait, but I won't stay long.
  7. They can go to the beach or the mountains.
  8. He was tired, so he took a nap.
  9. Although he is rich, he is not arrogant.
  10. She is honest, and she is kind.

5. Non-Inflection Test

Easy Explanation: Conjunctions are fixed words; they do not change their form. You cannot add endings like *-s, -ed,* or *-ing* to them.

  1. He reads and writes every day. ('and' never changes)
  2. She will leave unless you ask her to stay. ('unless' never changes)
  3. I will wait until you are ready. ('until' never changes)
  4. This is a good plan, yet it has risks. ('yet' never changes)
  5. I am staying home because I am not well. ('because' never changes)
  6. She likes dogs, but he prefers cats.
  7. I will go, if you go with me.
  8. He is not here, so we will start without him.
  9. We can leave now or later.
  10. I studied hard, for the exam was important.

6. Pairing Test (Correlative Conjunctions)

Easy Explanation: Correlative conjunctions always come in fixed pairs. If you see the first word of a pair (like *either*), you can expect the second one (*or*) to appear later.

  1. Both the book and the movie were excellent.
  2. Neither my brother nor my sister can come.
  3. She was unsure whether to stay or to leave.
  4. He is not only a great student but also a talented musician.
  5. You must either finish your homework or stay inside.
  6. Just as you love music, so I love art.
  7. Hardly had she arrived when the phone rang.
  8. Not only did he apologize, but he also offered to pay.
  9. Both the teacher and the students were happy.
  10. She likes neither the red dress nor the blue one.

7. Distinction from Prepositions

Easy Explanation: Some words (like *after, before, until*) can be prepositions or conjunctions. It's a **conjunction** if it's followed by a clause (with a subject and verb). It's a **preposition** if it's followed by just a noun or pronoun.

  1. Conjunction: Call me after you finish your work. (Clause: 'you finish')
  2. Preposition: Let's meet after the meeting. (Noun: 'the meeting')
  3. Conjunction: Brush your teeth before you go to bed. (Clause: 'you go')
  4. Preposition: He arrived before me. (Pronoun: 'me')
  5. Conjunction: We waited until the rain stopped. (Clause: 'the rain stopped')
  6. Preposition: We waited until noon. (Noun: 'noon')
  7. Conjunction: I have been busy since I started the new job.
  8. Preposition: I have been busy since Monday.
  9. Conjunction: He was sad for he had lost the game.
  10. Preposition: This gift is for you.

8. Parallel Structure Test

Easy Explanation: Conjunctions should join elements of the same grammatical structure. For example, an adverb should be joined with an adverb, not an adjective.

  1. Correct: He worked busily and carefully. (adverb + adverb)
  2. Incorrect: He worked busily and careful. (adverb + adjective)
  3. Correct: She likes to swim and to hike. (infinitive + infinitive)
  4. Incorrect: She likes swimming and to hike. (gerund + infinitive)
  5. Correct: The movie was exciting but long. (adjective + adjective)
  6. Correct: He is a man of great wealth and of great influence. (phrase + phrase)
  7. Correct: You can pay by cash or by card. (phrase + phrase)
  8. Correct: She is not only beautiful but also intelligent. (adjective + adjective)
  9. Correct: He decided to study hard and to stop wasting time. (infinitive + infinitive)
  10. Correct: The report was written clearly and concisely. (adverb + adverb)

9. Extra Technique: The "Relationship Question" Test

Easy Explanation: A conjunction often introduces the answer to a "relationship question" about the other part of the sentence. Ask: *Why? When? Under what condition? What is the result?*

  1. Sentence: He was upset because he lost the game. (Why was he upset?)
  2. Sentence: I will go if it stops raining. (Under what condition will I go?)
  3. Sentence: She is smart, but she is lazy. (What is the contrast to her being smart?)
  4. Sentence: It was late, so we went home. (What was the result of it being late?)
  5. Sentence: He put on his coat and left the house. (He put on his coat, and then what?)
  6. Sentence: We must leave now, or we will be late. (What is the alternative?)
  7. Sentence: I'll call you when I arrive. (When will I call you?)
  8. Sentence: He is a good leader, for he is fair to everyone. (Why is he a good leader?)
  9. Sentence: Although the test was difficult, I passed. (What is the contrast to the test being difficult?)
  10. Sentence: He ran fast, yet he missed the train. (What is the surprising result of him running fast?)
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