Here are examples of how conjunctions function:

1. Ravi and Sunil are playing cricket.
2. Would you like tea or coffee?
3. She studied hard, but she missed the deadline.
4. He was late, so he apologized to his teacher.

By using conjunctions, we can link ideas smoothly and avoid breaking them into separate statements.

Conjunctions are categorized based on their function in sentences. Here are the main types:

These join words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. Examples include and, but, or, nor, so, and yet.

Examples:

• Arjun and Ravi are playing cricket.
• She is clever but humble.
• You can choose tea or coffee.

Type	Examples	Usage
Cumulative or Copulative	and, as well as, both…and, not only…but also	Ravi was both excited and nervous.
Alternative or Disjunctive	or, either…or, neither…nor, else	Either you finish your work, or you will miss the deadline.
Adversative	but, yet, still, whereas	She is tired, but she continues to work.
Illative	so, therefore, for	He was late, so he missed the bus.

These connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include because, if, though, when, where, while, as, until, and since.

Examples:

• We stayed inside because it was raining.
• If you finish your homework, we can go out.
• She left the room before I arrived.

Type	Examples	Usage
Time	before, after, until, when, as long as	I will call you after I finish my work.
Cause or Reason	because, as, since	He stayed home because he was unwell.
Result or Consequence	that, so that	She worked hard so that she could pass the exam.
Purpose	lest, in order that, so that	Study hard lest you fail.
Condition	if, unless, as if	We will go only if it stops raining.
Concession or Contrast	although, though, however	Although it was late, he kept working.
Comparison	as, than	She is taller than her brother.
Extent or Manner	as, according to	He performed as the instructions said.

These are paired conjunctions that link balanced elements in a sentence. Examples include both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also.

Example:

• Both Raj and Priya attended the meeting.

These adverbs link two clauses, often showing relationships like cause and effect, contrast, or sequence. Examples include therefore, however, consequently, hence, and thus.

Example:

• He didn’t study; therefore, he failed the test.

Category	Examples
Coordinating	and, but, or, nor, so, yet
Subordinating	because, if, when, while, although, as, since
Correlative	either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also
Conjunctive Adverbs	therefore, however, consequently, meanwhile

Rule #1: Rule of Comma

• Always place a comma before coordinating conjunctions when connecting two independent clauses.
• Example: Ravi finished his work, and he went to the park.
• Do not use a comma when a coordinating conjunction connects two items.
• Example: The cat purred and rubbed against my leg.
• When listing items, using a comma before the last coordinating conjunction is optional.
• Example: She bought apples, bananas, and oranges. She bought apples, bananas and oranges.

Rule #2: The Conjunction ‘Both’ is Always Paired with ‘And.’

• Example: Both the teacher and the student agreed to postpone the class.

Rule #3: Usage of ‘Lest’

• Lest is used to avoid an undesirable result or action.
• Example: Speak softly lest you disturb the meeting.

Rule #4: Usage of ‘So…as’

• So…as is used to compare two things or people in negative sentences.
• Example: He is not so fast as his brother in running.

Rule #5: Usage of ‘As…as’

• As…as is used to compare two things or people in both positive and negative sentences.
• Example: She is as kind as her grandmother. She is not as kind as her grandmother.

Rule #6: Lest with ‘Should’ or the Base Form of the Verb

• Example: Drive carefully lest you should meet an accident.

Rule #7: Usage of ‘Unless’ and ‘Until’

• Unless is used for actions, while until is time-related.
• Example: She won’t improve unless she practices daily.
• They won’t leave until the rain stops.

Rule #8: Usage of ‘If’ and ‘Whether’

• If and whether are used to express doubt or confusion.
• Example: I am not sure whether he will join the trip.
• Let me know if he arrives early.

Rule #9: Usage of ‘That’ for Certainty

• Example: I am confident that she will pass the test.
• He knows that the shop opens at 10 a.m.

Rule #10: Specific Pairs of Correlative Conjunctions

• Use these correlative conjunctions correctly: Not only…but also, No sooner…than, Hardly…when.
• Example: Not only the students but also the teacher enjoyed the event.
• No sooner had the bell rung than the students ran out.
• Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang.

Rule #11: After ‘Rather’ or ‘Other,’ Always Use ‘Than.’

• Example: I would rather walk than take a cab.

Rule #12: Usage of ‘Seldom or Never’/‘Seldom if Ever’

• These are correct constructions, while seldom or ever or seldom if never are incorrect.
• Example: The manager seldom or never checks the emails on weekends.

Rule #13: Between…and

• Always pair between with and instead of to.
• Example: The highway runs between the city and the suburbs.

Rule #14: What with…and

• Use this phrase to explain reasons or causes.
• Example: What with work and travel, he barely has time to relax.

Rule #15: Although/Though…yet

• Use this structure to express contrast.
• Example: Though it was raining, yet they continued their journey.

Rule #16: Such…that

• Use this to show the result of a particular quality or action.
• Example: She spoke in such a loud voice that everyone turned to look.

1. Raj can neither swim _________ dive. (nor/or)

• Answer: nor
• Explanation: Neither…nor is used to indicate that both actions are not possible.

2. __________ you attend the meeting or miss important updates. (Either, neither)

• Answer: Either
• Explanation: Either…or is used in affirmative sentences to offer a choice between two possibilities or outcomes.

3. __________ it snows, the flight will be delayed. (Though/if)

• Answer: If
• Explanation: If is used to indicate a conditional situation, often involving a cause-effect relationship.

4. Maya held the glass tightly _________ it should fall. (Lest/although)

• Answer: Lest
• Explanation: Lest…should is used to show prevention or caution.

5. __________ being tired, she completed the marathon. (In spite of, in case)

• Answer: In spite of
• Explanation: In spite of is used to indicate an action or result that occurs despite an obstacle or contrary situation.