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Conjunctions

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By Venugopal Bandlamudi ( Psychologist )





What are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are used for joining or combining clauses, phrases, and words together to form sentences.

Conjunctions are also called ‘linkers’ because they act as links between words and other parts of the sentences.

Examples: 

Aleema and Farha are going to the market together.

Javed studied well, but got second division in the exams.

I was playing chess while he was playing caroms.

They praised him when he got a gold medal.

 

Types of Conjunctions:  

There are three types of conjunctions:

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

2. Correlative Conjunctions

3. Subordinating Conjunctions


1. Coordinating Conjunctions : A Coordinating Conjunction is a word which joins words, clauses, or phrases having similar grammatical structure.

It is also called a ‘coordinator’. The main coordinators are : but, and, so, or, nor, yet, for etc.

Examples:

Sashaank plays cricket and tennis.

They may come here or go there.

She tried hard but could not win the game.

 

2. Correlative Conjunctions : A Correlative Conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses having reciprocal or complementary relationship.

These are paired words: either…or, neither…nor, whether…or, not only…but also etc.

Examples: 

Ranveer may buy either apples or oranges.

Karishma likes neither pizza nor sandwich.

Krishna is interested not only in studies but also in sports.

 

3. Subordinating Conjunctions : A Subordinating Conjunction joins a subordinate ( dependent ) to a main ( independent ) clause.

It is also called ‘subordinator’. A few subordinators are: although, because, before, since, until, where, when, after, as soon as, while, even if, provided that etc.

Examples: 

We saw a crocodile when we visited that lake.

They are closing shops early because they want to go to the temple.

Although he is blind, he read many books.


Practice

Combine the following sentences using the conjunctions given in the brackets

1. Maria stopped playing tennis. She wants to spend her time on her business. (because)

2. Hari wanted to buy a bike. He didn't have enough money. (but)

3. The teacher didn't allow me into the class. He didn't allow my friend as well.  (neither…nor)

4. Naveen went to Mumbai. He saw many Bollywood actors there. (where)

5. It was raining. Isha didn't stop playing. (although) 

6. Januja may buy chocolate. She may buy ice-cream. (or) 

 





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