Conjunctions – Linking Words

A conjunction in English grammar is a word used to connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. It helps in combining ideas, making sentences more concise while retaining their meaning. Conjunctions in English grammar plays an important role in forming complex and meaningful sentences.

And

• Emma and Olivia are close friends.
• He invited both you and me to the party.

Or

• Would you like tea or coffee?
• Should I send the report today or tomorrow?

But

• Tracy and Victoria are classmates, but they don’t always agree.
• She is talented but lacks confidence.

Except / Besides

In sentences with “except” or “besides,” “except” can also be used instead of “but.”

• I can visit any country except Japan. / I can visit any country but not Japan.
• He can eat all fruits except strawberries. / He can eat all fruits but not strawberries.
• You may ask me anything except financial matters. / You may ask me anything but not financial matters.

Rather

In sentences with “but,” “rather” can also be used instead.

• This is not a fiction book but a biography. / This is not a fiction book, rather a biography.
• Jack is not lazy but a hardworking man. / Jack is not lazy, rather a hardworking man.
• She was not praised but criticized. / She was not praised, rather criticized.

For / As / Because / Since

Rule: “Since” appears at the beginning of a sentence, while “because” is used in the middle. When using “for” as a replacement for “because,” a comma must precede it.

• I couldn’t join the seminar because I had a prior commitment./ I couldn’t join the seminar as I had a prior commitment./ I couldn’t join the seminar, for I had a prior commitment.
• Since I had a prior commitment, I couldn’t join the seminar./ As I had a prior commitment, I couldn’t join the seminar./ For I had a prior commitment, I couldn’t join the seminar.

Also / Even / Either / Too / As well

Rules:

• “Also” is avoided in negative sentences.
• “Even,” “Too,” and “As well” can be used in both positive and negative statements.
• “Either” is used only in negative sentences.
• “Also” appears after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb.
• “Too,” “As well,” and “Either” are placed at the end of a sentence.
• “Even” is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence.
• “Even” is not used in interrogative sentences.

Examples:

• I am also an experienced writer. / Even I am an experienced writer. / I am an experienced writer too. / I am an experienced writer as well.
• Even I am not interested in sports. / I am not interested in sports too. / I am not interested in sports as well. / I am not interested in sports either.
• Even I dislike watching horror movies. / I don’t like horror movies either. / I don’t like horror movies too. / I don’t like horror movies as well.
• Were you not there either?/ Were you not there too?/ Were you not there as well?

In this sentence, “Even” is not used for the meaning of “also” because it is an interrogative sentence, and “Also” is not used because it is a negative sentence as well.

So / Hence / That’s why / Therefore / That’s the reason

• I was feeling cold, so I wore a sweater. / I was feeling cold, hence I wore a sweater. / I was feeling cold, that’s why I wore a sweater. / I was feeling cold, therefore I wore a sweater. / I was feeling cold, that’s the reason I wore a sweater.
• He missed several classes, so he struggled with the exam. / He missed several classes, hence he struggled with the exam. / He missed several classes, that’s why he struggled with the exam. / He missed several classes, therefore he struggled with the exam. / He missed several classes, that’s the reason he struggled with the exam.

As (Comparison & Role)

• As you wish.
• As you prefer.
• I did as you advised.
• I work here as an assistant manager.
• As a lawyer, it’s my duty to defend my clients.

The moment/As soon as (Immediate Actions)

• As soon as I email you, you reply. / The moment I email you, you reply.
• As soon as she arrives, we will start. / The moment she arrives, we will start.
• As soon as he finished his meal, he left. / The moment he finished his meal, he left.
• As soon as he calls, I will answer. / The moment he calls, I will answer.

As well as 

• Sophia is kind as well as intelligent.
• He sings beautifully as well as plays the piano skillfully.

Rule:

When “as well as” connects two subjects, the verb should agree with the first subject.

• She as well as her sisters is traveling to Australia.
• John as well as his colleagues is working on the project.
• I as well as my friends am attending the seminar.

As far as

• As far as I remember, he lived in New York.
• As far as I know, she has two dogs.
• As far as my experience is concerned, I have worked for five years.
• As far as my brother is concerned, he is studying law.
• As far as my hometown is concerned, it is a beautiful place.

As + {adjective} + As & So + {adjective} + As

• As brave as a soldier – As brave as a lion
• As wise as a professor – As wise as an owl
• As smooth as silk – As smooth as glass
• As white as snow – As white as a dove
• As sweet as honey – As sweet as sugar
• As strong as a wrestler – As strong as a mountain

So + {adjective} + As – Only in negative sentences
As + {adjective} + As – In positive and negative both types of sentences

Examples:

• You are as fast as I am.
• You are not as fast as I am. / You are not so fast as I am.
• Can you sing as well as I can?
• Can’t you sing as well as I can? / Can’t you sing so well as I can?
• Can’t you dance as well as she can? / Can’t you dance so well as she can?

Although / Though / Even if / Even though / Even then / Then Also

These conjunctions show contrast or exceptions:

• Even if he had no swimming experience, even then he could save someone from drowning.
• Even though she didn’t study much, then also she managed to pass the exam with excellent results.
• Though it was snowing heavily, we still went out for a hike.
• Although I was extremely tired, I finished my assignment on time.

More Conjunctions in English Grammar

Still / Yet / However / Nevertheless

These conjunctions show contrast between two statements:

• Even though he was rejected in the interview, still he kept his optimism.
• Although she failed several times, yet she never lost her determination.
• Though he didn’t practice, even then he performed admirably in the competition.
• Although the task was challenging, nevertheless she completed it successfully.

Such / Such as

“Such” and “such as” refer to specific examples or types:

• People who always complain are such pessimistic individuals.
• I don’t approve of such actions.
• I have already read many such novels.
• I own several devices such as a tablet, a smartwatch, and a DSLR camera.
• He is friends with many sports personalities such as John, Mike, and Steve.

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In such a way

The phrase “in such a way” describes how something is done:

• She explained the theory in such a way that everyone understood it.
• You speak in such a way that people are captivated by your words.

As If / As Though

“As if” and “as though” are used to show hypothetical situations or comparisons:

• You are acting as if you’re the boss here.
• She laughed as though she were in on the secret.
• He scolded me as if I had committed an error.
• They treated me as though I didn’t exist.

Either – or

“Either… or” is used to present two possible alternatives:

• Either she will attend the workshop, or I will go instead.
• I will either buy a car or a scooter.
• Either you finish the assignment, or I will complete it myself.
• Either you leave now, or face the consequences.

Neither – nor

“Neither… nor” presents two things that are not happening:

• I will neither attend the party nor the after-party.
• Neither he will apologize nor admit his mistake.
• Neither you are to blame nor is he.
• Neither I informed him nor did he let me know.

So

“So” is used to add a similar idea or indicate agreement:

• You like tea. I do too.
• I called her earlier. She called me too.
• He solved the puzzle quickly. So can I.

Not … Neither / Nor

“Not… neither/nor” shows agreement in negative situations:

• You don’t like action movies. Neither do I.
• She didn’t go to the park. Nor did I.
• He wasn’t excited about the plan. I wasn’t either.

Not only … but also

“It” emphasizes two connected ideas:

• She is not only a teacher but also an artist.
• He can play not only the violin but also the saxophone.

Lest … should

“Lest… should” is used to indicate a purpose or a precaution:

• Hurry up lest you should miss the bus.
• Save some money lest you should need it in an emergency.
• Write the address correctly lest the letter should be misplaced.

Otherwise / Or else

“Otherwise” and “or else” are used to indicate a consequence if something doesn’t happen:

• I’ll have to work hard otherwise I will fail. / I’ll have to work hard or else I will fail.
• Study for the exam otherwise you might fail. / Study for the exam or else you might fail.
• Lock the door otherwise a thief could break in. / Lock the door or else a thief could break in.

So that / So as to

“So that” and “so as to” express purpose:

• Exercise regularly so that you remain fit. / Exercise regularly so as to remain fit.
• Save money so that you can secure a comfortable future. / Save money so as to secure a comfortable future.
• I made it clear so that everyone could follow along. / I made it clear so as to everyone could follow along.

Provided / But only when / But only if

These conjunctions show that one action depends on another:

• I will lend you my bike provided you return it by evening./ I will lend you my bike but only when you return it by evening./ I will lend you my bike but only if you return it by evening.
• She will attend the event provided when she receives approval./  She will attend the event but only when she receives approval./ She will attend the event but only if she receives approval.
• He will assist you provided you ask him politely./ He will assist you but only when you ask him politely./ He will assist you but only if you ask him politely.

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“WH” Word Used as a Conjunctions in English Grammar

“WH” words can be used as conjunctions in english grammar to refer to specific things, people, locations, or reasons:

This refers to a specific issue or thing – That’s what

• That is exactly what I was looking for.
• That is precisely what you were explaining to her.
• That is exactly what I wanted to buy.
• That is exactly what you’re struggling with.

Referring to a person – That’s whom

• That is the person I had spoken to earlier.
• That’s the one we all called for assistance.
• That is the person I assigned this responsibility to.
• That is the person I was referring to.

Referring to a location or place – That’s where 

• • That is exactly where I parked my car.
  • That is the spot where we met last time.
  • That is where you had your lunch yesterday.
  • That is the place we were talking about.

Referring to a cause or reason – That’s why 

• I’m telling you this, that’s why I called.
• I missed the meeting; that’s why I am apologizing.
• He didn’t prepare; that’s why he failed the exam.
• He was upset; that’s why he left early.

Refers to a method or manner of doing something – That’s how 

• That is how I learned to play the guitar.
• That’s exactly how my mother taught me to cook.
• That is the way I solved the puzzle.
• That’s how I managed to finish the project on time.

Refers to an exact time or moment – That’s when

• That was the moment I decided to change careers.
• That was the year we moved to a new city.
• That’s when I met her for the first time.
• That was when I started my first job.

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Important Conjunctions in English Grammar

While + Verb + ing

“While” is used to show that two actions are happening at the same time. ( The verb following ‘while’ must be in the ‘ing’ form.)

• I am cooking while listening to music.
• Does Jack work while traveling?
• She was texting you while talking to me.
• We were discussing the project while enjoying our coffee.

Whereas / While

“Whereas” and “while” are used to indicate the contrast between two clauses in conjunctions in english grammar:

• I have $50, whereas you have $200./ I have $50, while you have $200.
• She prefers tea, whereas I enjoy coffee./ She prefers tea, while I enjoy coffee.
• When Peter was 25, he traveled the world, whereas I stayed in one place./ When Peter was 25, he traveled the world, while I stayed in one place.
• I love the city, whereas my sister prefers the countryside./ I love the city, while my sister prefers the countryside.

Still / Even Now

“Even now”  and ” still” express continuity or the present. (“Still” is used after the helping verb and just before the main verb, whereas “even now” is used either at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.)

• I am still working on the report./ I am working on the report even now./ Even now, I am working on the report.
• I am still studying for my exams./ I am studying for my exams even now./ Even now, I am studying for my exams.
• She still calls me every week./ She calls me every week even now./ Even now, she calls me every week.

Whether… Or

• Whether he arrives or not, I will attend the meeting.
• Whether Jason participates or not, you should join in.
• Whether she finished the task or someone else did, it’s done now.
• I can’t decide whether he will join or not.
• He was unsure whether the guests would show up or not.
• We have no idea whether he’s going there or somewhere else.

Hardly… When / No Sooner Had… Than used as Conjunctions in English Grammar

These conjunctions in english grammar express something happening immediately after another event:

• I had hardly reached the party when they both arrived./ No sooner had I reached the party than they both arrived.
• I had hardly sat down when the phone rang./ No sooner had I sat down than the phone rang.
• We had hardly reached the station when the train left./ No sooner had we reached the station than the train left.
• We had hardly reached the station when the train departed./ No sooner had we reached the station than the train departed.
• We had hardly reached the airport when the flight took off./ No sooner had we reached the airport than the flight took off.

As Yet / Yet (Negative Sentences) & Till Now / By Now / So Far (Positive and Negative Sentences)

These conjunctions in english grammar are used to show the completion or continuation of an action over time:

• I haven’t met him yet./ I haven’t met him as yet./ I haven’t seen him till now./ I haven’t seen him by now./ I haven’t seen him so far.
• He has not completed the assignment yet./ He hasn’t completed the assignment as yet./ He hasn’t completed the assignment till now./ He hasn’t completed the assignment by now./ He hasn’t completed the assignment so far.
• What progress have you made so far?/ What progress have you made till now?/ What progress have you made by now?

Until / Unless (Negative) & Till / Till the Time (Positive)

These conjunctions in english grammar are used to show restrictions or conditions:

• Until I get there, do not disturb him./ Unless I get there, do not disturb him./ Until and unless I get there, do not disturb him./ Till I get there, do not disturb him./ Till the time I get there , do not disturb him.
• Until he asked, we remained quiet./ Unless he asked, we remained quiet. / Until and unless he asked, we remained quiet./ Till he asked, we remained quiet./ Till the time he asked, we remained quiet.
• We will not dance until he comes./ We will not dance unless he comes./ We will not dance until and unless he comes./ We will not dance till he doesn’t come./ We will not dance till the time he doesn’t come.
• Until you say yes, nobody will eat. / Unless you say yes, nobody will eat./ Till you don’t say yes, nobody will eat./ Till the time you don’t say yes, nobody will eat.

By the Time (When, Opposite Context) & As Long As/While/Till/Till the Time (Until, Similar Context)

By the time is used as an conjunctions in english grammar to show that one event happens before another in a time-based context:

• By the time she arrived, I had already left.
• By the time you learn Spanish, everyone will be speaking Mandarin.
• As long as you learn English, I’ll learn singing./ While you learn English, I’ll learn singing./ Till you learn English, I’ll learn singing./ Till the time you learn English, I’ll learn singing.
• As long as you’re here, I’ll stay too./ While you’re here, I’ll stay too./ Till you’re here, I’ll stay too./ Till the time you’re here, I’ll stay too.
• As long as you are with me, I will keep playing./ While you are with me, I will keep playing./ Till you are with me, I will keep playing./ Till the time you are with me, I will keep playing.