Conjunctions are joining words that connect two or more words, clauses, phrases, or sentences. In CUET English, conjunctions are tested through error spotting, sentence completion, and sentence rearrangement. Mastering conjunction rules, types, and commonly used conjunction words is essential for scoring well in both objective and descriptive sections.
1. What is a Conjunction?
A conjunction is a word or group of words that connect two or more words, clauses, phrases, or sentences. Conjunctions are also called joining words.
Examples:
- She is good at both cooking and dancing.
- If we leave now, we can be home by 11 p.m.
- He couldn't be taken before a magistrate for punishment.
- Neither her friends nor relatives joined for the party.
Memory Trick: FANBOYS — For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (Coordinating Conjunctions)
2. Types of Conjunctions
Conjunction words are segregated into four types:
- Coordinating Conjunctions — Join elements that are equal in importance.
- Subordinating Conjunctions — Join a dependent clause with an independent clause.
- Correlative Conjunctions — Work in pairs to join clauses or sentences.
- Conjunctive Adverbs — Also called transition words, they join sentences or phrases.
3. Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
Coordinating Conjunctions join two independent clauses or elements of equal importance. There are only seven coordinating conjunctions, remembered by the acronym FANBOYS.
| Conjunction | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For | Reason / cause | He needs to find a job, for he is unemployed. |
| And | Addition | Maria loves both ice cream and pizza. |
| Nor | Negative addition | Neither Tuesday nor Wednesday is good for the party. |
| But | Contrast | She scored good marks but she is not satisfied. |
| Or | Alternative / choice | Which fruit do you like: mango or apple? |
| Yet | Contrast (stronger than 'but') | She dances well yet she hesitates to take part. |
| So | Result / consequence | He is unwell so he will not come with us. |
Key Points:
- When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, a comma is usually placed before the conjunction.
- She wanted to go to the party, but she was too tired.
4. Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions join a dependent clause (subordinate clause) with an independent clause (main clause). They make one clause less important than the other.
Examples:
- I will drink milk after having this chocolate. — (Independent clause: I will drink milk; Dependent clause: after having this chocolate)
- He will come to my home after attending the wedding.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions:
| Conjunction | Example |
|---|---|
| After | She went to the parlour after lunch. |
| Although | Although the sun was shining, it wasn't warm. |
| As | She can do her hairstyle as she wants. |
| As if | He behaved as if he has lost it. |
| Because | He did the task because he felt it was his duty. |
| Before | The baby sleeps before the massage. |
| Even though | She doesn't want to give up even though she knows it won't better the relation. |
| If | They will party in the garden if the weather is good. |
| Since | It's a long time since they met. |
| So that | He joined foreign language classes so that he could learn French. |
| Than | The old man lived for more than 100 years. |
| Though | Though they were whispering, their voices echoed. |
| Unless | He will not buy you a scooter unless you score good marks. |
| Until | You will not get a driving licence until you turn 18. |
| When | When is your mother coming from Canada? |
| Whenever | Please share the details, whenever you get time. |
| Wherever | Eat healthy meals wherever possible. |
| While | He did my task while I was away. |
5. Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions work in pairs to join two clauses or sentences. They are always used together.
| Pair | Example |
|---|---|
| As / As | His scorecard was not as bad as I thought. |
| Both / And | Both the teams and their coaches worked hard. |
| Either / Or | Either eat the cake right now or it will be finished. |
| Hardly / When | Hardly had he reached the stop when the bus started. |
| Neither / Nor | Neither the children nor their parents attended the function. |
| No sooner / Than | No sooner had the teacher entered than the students kept quiet. |
| Not only / But also | Not only should you mug up for exams but also understand the concepts. |
| Whether / Or | She was confused about whether to wear pink or yellow. |
| The more / The more | The more he flattered his boss, the more incentives he got. |
| So / As | Her poetry wasn't so boring as he had thought. |
| Such / That | She is such a beautiful actress that everyone is her fan. |
| Rather / Than | He would rather cook at home than go out for dinner. |
6. Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive Adverbs (also called transition words) join sentences or words. They show relationships such as addition, contrast, cause-effect, or sequence.
| Conjunctive Adverb | Example |
|---|---|
| After all | After all the efforts we put in, the result was not appreciable. |
| As a result | As a result of the new job, he relocated to a new city. |
| Consequently | She worked hard and consequently got a good appraisal. |
| Finally | They quarrelled for hours and then finally there was silence. |
| For example | For example, you are the CEO of Google. How will you help the nation? |
| Furthermore | She was tired and cold, and furthermore she was hungry. |
| Hence | Schools are closed due to lockdown. Hence, teachers are taking online classes. |
| However | He will buy that car; however, he will have to use all his savings. |
| In addition | In addition, all his planning is paying off. |
| In fact | She is taking advanced classes; in fact, she is an expert now. |
| Indeed | A soldier's life is indeed a difficult life. |
| Instead | We cooked at home instead of going out. |
| Likewise | Grateful to him, she was likewise excited to go on a tour. |
| Meanwhile | He spent his time studying and meanwhile joined work at the bank. |
7. Important Rules of Conjunctions
Rule 1: So/As vs As/As
- So/As is used in negative sentences for comparison.
- As/As is used in both negative and affirmative sentences.
- She is not as beautiful as you. (Negative)
- She is as beautiful as you. (Affirmative)
Rule 2: Both is always followed by 'And'
- Both Rajat and Meera went for shopping.
- She is both pretty and intelligent.
Rule 3: Lest is a negative word
- Lest is always followed by 'should' or the first form of the verb.
- Do NOT use not, no, never with 'lest'.
- Dance carefully lest she should fall.
- Dance carefully lest she falls.
Rule 4: Though/Although is always followed by a comma (,) or 'yet'
- Though she put in a lot of effort, she didn't crack the exam.
- Although the diamonds are costly, yet people buy them.
Rule 5: Unless and Until are negative words
- Unless is action-oriented.
- Until is time-oriented.
- Do NOT use never, not, no with unless/until.
- The father asked his daughter to wait until he returned.
- Unless the employee works hard, the company will not progress.
Rule 6: Correlative Pairs — Use the correct pair
- Not only ... but also
- Hardly ... when/before
- No sooner ... than
- Barely ... when/before
- Scarcely ... when/before
- No sooner had he finished his speech than the audience applauded.
- The thief not only stole jewels but also took away the gizmos.
Rule 7: Doubt/Doubtful — 'That' vs 'If/Whether'
- In negative/interrogative sentences, use 'that'.
- In affirmative sentences, use 'if' or 'whether'.
- I don't doubt that he is hardworking. (Negative — that)
- He doubts if he can come to drop you. (Affirmative — if)
- She is doubtful whether she will attend the party. (Affirmative — whether)
Rule 8: 'From' is followed by 'To' and 'Between' is followed by 'And'
- He keeps playing the guitar from morning to evening.
- It is difficult to choose between gold and silver.
Rule 9: 'One of/None of' vs 'Either/Neither'
- When more than two persons/things are involved, use 'none of' or 'one of' instead of 'neither/either'.
- One of the employees complained about the manager.
- None of the employees complained regarding the theft.
Rule 10: 'Rather/Other' is followed by 'Than'
- You have no other option than to go back to school.
- He would rather give a car than a necklace.
8. Common Errors in Conjunctions
Error 1: Using 'Or' with 'Neither'
- Incorrect: Neither the teacher or the students were present.
- Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students were present.
Error 2: Using 'Than' with 'No sooner'
- Incorrect: No sooner did he arrive then the train left.
- Correct: No sooner did he arrive than the train left.
Error 3: Missing conjunction 'And'
- Incorrect: She has a dog, a cat who dislike each other.
- Correct: She has a dog and a cat who dislike each other.
Error 4: Using 'Than' instead of 'As' in comparisons
- Incorrect: She is not as beautiful than you.
- Correct: She is not as beautiful as you.
Error 5: Missing 'Not only...But also' structure
- Incorrect: Ram lost his wallet and his watch.
- Correct: Ram lost not only his wallet but also his watch.
Error 6: Using 'No' with 'Unless'
- Incorrect: Unless you do not work hard, you will fail.
- Correct: Unless you work hard, you will fail.
9. Sample Questions with Explanations
Q1. The teacher is neither (1) free or interested in (2) teaching the students (3).
- Answer: Part 2 is incorrect.
- Explanation: 'Neither' is always followed by 'nor', not 'or'. Correct sentence: The teacher is neither free nor interested in teaching the students.
Q2. No sooner does the principal (1) enter the class (2) then the students stand up (3).
- Answer: Part 3 is incorrect.
- Explanation: 'No sooner' is always followed by 'than', not 'then'. Correct sentence: No sooner does the principal enter the class than the students stand up.
Q3. She has a dog (1), a cat (2) who dislike each other (3).
- Answer: Part 2 is incorrect.
- Explanation: The coordinating conjunction 'and' is missing. Correct sentence: She has a dog and a cat who dislike each other.
Q4. Read to contradict (1) or to believe (2) and not to weigh or consider (3).
- Answer: Part 1 is incorrect.
- Explanation: The correlative conjunction 'either' is missing. Correct sentence: Read either to contradict or to believe and not to weigh or consider.
Q5. Ram lost not only (1) his wallet (2), but also his watch (3).
- Answer: No error.
- Explanation: 'Not only...but also' is correctly used.
10. Conjunctions in Sentence Completion
Conjunctions are frequently tested in fill-in-the-blank questions where you must choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence logically.
Example 1:
- She wanted to go to the party, ______ she was too tired.
- Options: (a) and, (b) but, (c) so, (d) for
- Answer: (b) but — Contrast between wanting to go and being tired.
Example 2:
- ______ he was tired, he continued working.
- Options: (a) Because, (b) Although, (c) Since, (d) Unless
- Answer: (b) Although — Contrast between being tired and continuing to work.
Example 3:
- He studied hard ______ he could pass the exam.
- Options: (a) so that, (b) because, (c) although, (d) unless
- Answer: (a) so that — Purpose of studying hard.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'neither' with 'or' — 'neither' always pairs with 'nor'.
- Confusing 'no sooner' with 'then' — 'no sooner' always pairs with 'than'.
- Using 'than' instead of 'as' in comparisons (e.g., 'as beautiful as' not 'as beautiful than').
- Using 'no' or 'not' with 'unless' (e.g., 'unless you work hard' not 'unless you do not work hard').
- Using 'no' or 'not' with 'lest' (e.g., 'lest she fall' not 'lest she does not fall').
- Missing 'and' in compound subjects or compound objects.
- Missing the correct correlative pair (e.g., 'not only' must be followed by 'but also').
- Using 'because' instead of 'so that' for purpose clauses.
- Using 'for' (reason) instead of 'so' (result) incorrectly.
- Confusing 'although' with 'because' — 'although' shows contrast, 'because' shows cause.