Conjunctions
A conjunction joins words, phrases or clauses.
1. Kinds
- Coordinating (equal clauses): and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
- Subordinating (dependent clause): because, since, as, although, though, unless, until, till, if, whether, lest, so that, while, when, after, before, as soon as, provided, in case, as if.
- Correlative (pairs): either … or, neither … nor, both … and, not only … but also, whether … or, no sooner … than, hardly/scarcely … when, so … that, such … that, as … as, though … yet.
- The same word can be a conjunction, preposition or adverb: He came before I left (conj.) / before noon (prep.) / I have seen him before (adv.).
2. Fixed pairs (most asked)
| Correct | Wrong |
|---|---|
| No sooner … than | No sooner … when / then |
| Hardly / Scarcely … when | Hardly … than |
| Although / Though … (yet) | Although … but |
| Both … and | Both … as well as |
| Neither … nor / Either … or | Neither … or / Either … nor |
| so … that / too … to | too … that |
| prefer … to / rather … than | prefer … than |
| The reason … is that | The reason … is because |
| nothing else but / no other … but | else … than |
3. Rules
- unless = if not → never add another "not". lest = for fear that → lest … should (no "not").
- After "No sooner" / "Hardly" at the start, invert: No sooner did he reach …; Hardly had he sat ….
- "Not only" at the start also needs inversion: Not only is he clever, but….
- Time clauses (when, after, before, till, as soon as) take the present tense for a future idea: I will call you after I reach home.
- whether … or not; if/whether for reported yes-no questions (no "that").
- so + adjective + that; such + a + adjective + noun + that.
- as if / as though + were (unreal): He behaves as if he were a king.
- Linking adverbs: however, nevertheless (contrast); moreover (addition); therefore (result); otherwise (if not).
- since/as = reason already known; because = main reason; for = reason added as an afterthought (after a comma).