CONJUNCTIONS
A conjunction is a word that
links Words, Phrases, or Clauses
o {A phrase is any group of words.}
o {A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a
verb.}
Types of Conjunctions
F A N B O Y S
because In addition to and not however either but therefore
since
vCoordinating Conjunctions
Ø Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or independent clauses of
a sentence together. They often link similar grammatical parts of a
sentence together ( parts of speech + parts of speech / phrase + phrase /
clause + clause )
§ I told him to go for I was very tired.
§ On Friday night we watched a teledrama and a movie.
§ I have neither done the dishes nor the laundry.
§ We went to the park, but we did not have time for the museum.
§ Let's meet at the beach or in front of the hotel.
§ Nimal plays basketball well yet his favorite sport is cricket.
§ She has to work late tonight, so she cannot make it to the party.
{A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb.}
a) The park is empty now, …….. it will be filled with
children after school.
b) I am slow, ………. I am fully sure about my
destination.
c) I will leave this place,……….it is not mine.
d) It was very hot,…… I have switched on the fan.
e) You can watch a movie……..read a book.
f) Neither he ………his friend has attended class.
g) He helps me ……….. he is a generous person.
vCORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
■ Correlative conjunctions are pairs such as
neither . . . nor, not only…. but also, either…..or
These conjunctions connect two balanced clauses,
phrases, or words. The two elements that Correlative
conjunctions connect are usually similar in length and
grammatical structure.
■ either . . . or
We can go to either Greece or Spain for our holiday.
It’s my final offer – you can either take it or leave it.
■ both . . . and
Both Rugby and Football are popular in France.
Both Tamil and Sinhala are spoken in Sri Lanka.
■ not only . . . but also
Not only is he a professional footballer, but he’s also a
successful businessman.
■ not . . . but
There are not two but three Baltic states: Lithuania,
Latvia and Estonia.
In sport, what counts is not the winning but the taking
part.
■ neither . . . nor
Neither the manager nor his assistant is here today.
Neither the Band nor the singer performed well today.
■ whether . . . or
Whether you love them or hate them, you have to
admit that the Gypsies are very popular in Sri Lanka.
I’m totally confused – I don’t know whether I’m
coming or going.
v Subordinating Conjunctions
ØSubordinating conjunctions join an “Independent
Clause” (which contains both a subject and a verb and
can act as a complete sentence) and a “Dependent
Clause” (which also contains a subject and a verb,
but is not a complete sentence).
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
a) {I won’t go there }unless {you go too.}
b) {We can leave} when / once {you are ready.}
A clause is a group of words that includes a subject
and a verb
Types of Subordinating Conjunctions
Time
after after which as
as long as as soon as at which point
before by the time no sooner
now (that) once since
the moment then till
until when whenever
whereupon while meanwhile
Result
and and so else or else
other wise so so that likewise
although apart from but despite
even if even though except that
in spite of much as whereas while
whilst yet unless
a) Although it is raining, it is too hot today.
b) We went to a jungle where we saw a lion.
c) As far as I know, Anil is a nice person.
d) We played cricket while pitch was little wet.
e) As soon as we got out the car, it started raining.
f) John is short whereas Mary is tall.
g) Unless you practice your basketball skills will
never improve.
Reason
as as a result of because
because of due to for
that since just in case
Because it was raining, I took my umbrella.
Since I have no money, I can’t go to the movie.
After you finish eating, brush your teeth.
I took my umbrella just in case it would rain.
Purpose
In case in order in order to
so so as to so that
To
Conditional
as long as even if if
provided that so long as unless
whether…or….not
Manner
as as if as though in a way
in the way just as just like like
much as the way
Addition
And as well as besides
in addition to not only
Giving Examples
for instance for example in particular
1. Although / Even though it was very hot, they went running.
2. Despite / In spite of the rainy weather, we went to the beach.
3. Because / as it was too cold to go to the beach, we decided to
go to the cinema.
4. While / Whereas her brother lives in California, Monica lives in
New York.
5. After he (had) finished his breakfast, he went to work.
6. Before he went to work, he finished his breakfast.
7. If / Provided that / As long as you go too, I will go there.
8. Unless you go too, I won’t go there.
9. When / Once you are ready, we can leave.
10. Until / Till you get your licence, you can’t drive.
Use a suitable conjunction to combine each pair of sentences.
■ 1. Last night we ordered pizza. We were out of food.
■ 2. We had a substitute today. Our teacher was sick.
■ 3. We won’t get the contract. Our proposal is full of errors.
■ 4. She works in the evenings. She has a part-time job.
■ 5. We won’t get a promotion. We have to get a certification.
■ 7. Subash named her dog Batman. Subash likes superheroes.
■ 8. We can’t go to bed. We have to do our homework.
■ Choose the best word or phrase to fill the gaps
■ We ate a pizza __________ a kebab. (BUT / AND / SO)
■ We had some cake __________ we didn’t have any coffee. (UNLESS / UNTIL /
BUT)
■ I had a headache __________ I didn’t go to the party. (WHEN / SO / WHEREAS)
■ You can have a coffee __________ a tea but not both. (OR / TILL / BUT)
■ I can’t come to school __________ I have an important appointment. (SO /
BECAUSE / UNLESS)
■ I will call you __________ I get home. (AS / AND / WHEN)
■ __________ you do your homework, you will pass the course. (UNLESS / UNTIL
/ AS LONG AS)
■ Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners. There may be more than
one determiner. (some/no/any/many/much/each/every/none/most)
■ 1. They were bored because there was…………..……..……work to do.
■ 2. We invited ……….………….…… friends over to our house for a
barbecue.
■ 3. …………………of the cakes had been baked the day before.
■ 4. Amali didn't take ……………………. photos when she went on the trip.
■ 5. The teacher gave ………………………of the students a piece of paper.
■ 6. ……………… of my friends sent me a birthday card, but …………..of
them bought me presents
■ 7. Bandula had …………….idea what the answer to the question was.
■ 8. I don’t like ……………….. of her songs, but not ………………..of them
are really good.
■ 9. …………….. of the students who were in the auditorium
had …………… note-books.
■ 10. There are ……………… fruit stalls in this part of the town.
■ Fill in the blanks with ‘little/a little, few/a few or very little/very few’
■ 1. I’m very thirsty. Can I have ………………. water?
■ 2. There is ……………….. food in my box. It is nearly empty.
■ 3. Are you going along? No. I’m going with ……………. Friends.
■ 4. When did you meet him? ………………. days ago.
■ 5. He’s very lazy. He does ………………….. work.
■ 6. They’re not rich but they’ve got ……………………..money. It is enough to live.
■ 7. I can’t decide now. I need ..…………… time to think about it. So, give
me …………….. days.
■ 8. Nearly everybody has a job but there are ………………….. people without any
employment.
■ 9. Her English is very good. She makes ……………………… mistakes.
■ 10. It’s a small restaurant. There are ……….…………….. tables.
■ Fill in the blanks with ‘some or any’.
■ 1. There isn’t …………………… milk in the fridge.
■ 2. Most of the town is modern. There aren’t …………………… old
buildings.
■ 3. I need ……………….honey.
■ 4. Could you do …………………typing for me?
■ 5. I haven’t got ……………… time to spend on Internet.