Conjunctions

Conjunctions

Definition:

v A conjunction is a word, which merely joins together sentences, and sometimes words.

v Conjunctions join together sentences and often make them more compact.

Example – 1:

·      Balu is a good singer.

·      Vithal is a good singer.

Join these sentences together with a conjunction ‘and’

·      Balu is a good singer and Vithal is a good singer.

Further we can compact this sentence with the help of the conjunction

·      Balu and Vithal are good singers.

Conjunction ‘and’ joins words only

·      Two and two make four.

·      Hari and Rama are brothers.

·      Hari and Rama came home together.

Example – 2:

·      The man is poor.

·      He is honest.

The above two sentences can be joined together with a conjunction ‘but’

·      The man is poor, but he is honest.

We can compact the above sentence further.

·      The Man is poor, but honest.

v Sometimes Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs and Prepositions are also connecting words.

·      This is the house that Jack built. (Relative Pronoun)

·      This is the place where he was murdered. (Relative Adverb)

·      We came after they had left. (Preposition)

v Some conjunctions are used in pairs

1	either ----or	Either take it or leave it.
2	neither----nor	It is neither useful nor ornamental.
3	both ---- and	We both love and honour him.
4	though---yet	Though he is suffering much pain, yet he does not complain.
5	whether----or	I do not care whether you go or stay.
6	not only---- but also	Not only he is foolish but also obstinate.

v Certain words are used both as prepositions and conjunctions

Prepositions	Conjunctions
Stay till Monday.	We shall stay here till you return.
I have not met him since Monday.	We shall go since you desire it
He died for his country.	I must stay here, for such is my duty.
The dog ran after the cat.	We came after they had left.
Everybody but Ganpat was present.	He tried, but did not succeed.
He stood before the painting.	Look before you leap

v Join each pair of the following sentences by means of a suitable conjunction. Make such changes as are necessary: ⎯

·      My brother is well, but my sister is ill.

           

2. He sells mangoes.               He sells oranges.

·      He sells mangoes and oranges.

3. He did not succeed.            He worked hard.

·      He did not succeed though he worked hard.

4. Rama played well.              Hari played well.

·      Rama and Hari played well.

5. I honour him.                      He is a brave man.

·      I honour him as/because he is a brave man.

6. You may go.                       I will stay.

·      You may go, but I will stay.

7. Rama reads for pleasure     Hari reads for profit.

·      Rama reads for pleasure, but Hari reads for profit.

8. We decided to set out.        It was late.

·      We decided to set out though it was late.

9. He was poor.                       He was honest.

·      He was poor but honest. (or) Though he was poor, he was honest.

10. He is not a knave.             He is not a fool.

·      He is neither a knave nor a fool.

  Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions:

1.     Be just --------- fear not.                                (and)

2.     I ran fast. -------- I missed the train.             (but)

3.     He fled, ----------- he was afraid.                   (for)

4.     Make haste, ------------ you will be late.       (or /else/otherwise)

5.     --------- you try, you will not succeed.          (unless)

6.     I am sure ---------- he said so.                       (that)

7.     Wait --------- I return.                                    (till)

8.     Do not go ----------- I come.                           (till)

9.     He finished first ------------ he began late.    (though/although)

10. Take care --------- you fall.                            (lest)

11. Take a lamp, ----------- the night is dark.     (as/because)

12. ------------- he was ambitious I slew him.     (as/because)

13. Open rebuke is better ----------- secret love. (than)           

14. ------------ you eat too much you will be ill. (if)

15. I shall not go ---------- I am invited.              (unless)

16. He has succeeded better ------------ he hoped. (than)

17. I do it ----------- I choose to.                          (as)    

18. ---------------- duty calls us we must obey.   (as/ because)

19. Live well ------- you may die well.                (that)

20. Think nought a trifle, ----------- it small appear. (though/although)

21. The purse has been lost ----------- stolen.    (or)

22. Rustum is slow ------------- sure.                   (but)

23. He remained at home -------------- he was ill. (as/because)

24. --------- he was industrious, I encouraged him. (as)

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