CONJUNCTION

 CONJUNCTION

 Conjunction: A word which joins together sentences or words and clauses is known as Conjunction.

 

and	for	after	before
while	but	also	if
unless	as	when	than
or	still	thoght	as
since	that	else	although
only	for	because	till
where

Ex: I like chinaka olumide.

She answered all question and passed the exam.

He tried hard but he did not succeed in his attempt. 

Although she is not  beautiful, she wants to be a film star.

Unless you go there, you don't know what has happened there.

Kinds of Conjunction: Conjunction are divided into four kinds namely:

1. Correlative Conjunctions
2. Compound Conjunction
3. Co-ordinating Conjunction
4. Subordinating Conjunction

1. Correlative Conjunctions: Conjunction which are used in pairs are known as Correlative Conjunctions.

• Ex: either–or
• Neither–nor
• Both–and 
• Though–yet
• Whether–or
• Not only–but also
• Such–as
• Such–that
• As–as
• As–so
• So–that
• Hardly–when
• Scarcely–when
•  No sooner–than

(a) Either–Or

Abbas is either a typist or a teacher

 

(b) Neither–Nor

She can speak neither English nor Igbo.

(c) Both–And

He is both handsome and clever.

(d) Though–Yet

Though he tried to convince his wife, (yet) she was not happy with his words.

(e) Whether–Or

I don't know whether she will marry him or continue her studies.

(f) Not only–But also

He not only wrote the song but also sang it well.

(g) Such–As

I read such books as Oxford Encyclopedia and Contemporary English Grammar to increase my knowledge.

(h) Such–That

His reply was such that I never expected.

(I) As–As

Bilkis is as beautiful as her sister.

(j) As–So

He works as a manager, so his income is very high.

(K) So–That

He went to jos so that he might see his brother.

(l) Hardly–When

I had hardly reached home when the phone began ringing.

(m) Scarcely–When

She had scarcely returned home when someone knocked at the door.

(n) No sooner–Than

We had no sooner left for Kano than our uncle arrived.

2. Compound Conjunction: Group of words which are used as conjunctions .

• Ex: in order that
• On condition that
• Even if
• So that
• Provided that
• As though
• In as much as
• As well as
• As soon as
• As if

(a) In order that

He applied for a job in order that he might help his father.

 (b) On  condition that

I can' lend you money on condition that you teturn it in a month.

(c) Even if 

Even if he comes to my house, I won't lend him the money.

(d) So that 

He saved some money so that he might use it in future.

(e) Provided that

I shall give you the job provided that you know how to type.

(f) As though

She appears as though she were a film star.

 

(g) As well as

Maryam as well as her friend s beautiful.

(h) As soon as

As soon as I saw Ola, I left the house.

(I) As if

He spends as if he were a rich man.

3. Co-ordinating Conjunction: Conjunction which are used to join together clauses of equal rank are known as co-ordinating Conjunction.

• Ex: and
  
• But
• For 
• Nor
• Or 
• Also
• Either–or
• Neither–nor

(a) And

She spoke impressively at the meeting and won the appreciation of all.

(b) But

I offered to help her but she refused my help.

(c) For

I must try hard for there is stiff competition.

(d) Nor

He is not my friend nor my relative.

 

(e) Or

You must either take up this job or continue your studies.

(g) Neither–nor

He neither helped Hus father nor loved him.

She neither liked nor respected her husband.

They neither returned the money nor promised to pay it later.

 

Co–ordinating Conjunctions are divided into four kinds, namely: 

1. Cumulative or Copulative Conjunctions
2. Adversative Conjunctions
3. Disjunctive or Alternative conjunctions
4. Illative Conjunctions

1. Cumulative or Copulative Conjunction: Conjunction which are used to join statements are known as Cumulative Conjunctions.

• Ex: and 
• So
• Both–and
• No less than
• Not only–but also
• As well as

(a) And

He looked and smiled at me.

 (b) So

He is my father so I respect him.

(c) Both–And

They both gave me money and stood by me in trouble.

(d) As well as

As well as writing the letter for me, he posted it.

(e) No less than

She, no less than her friend, tried to cheat me.

(f) Not only–But also

They not only invited me to dinner, but also sent a car to pick me.

2. Adversative Conjunctions: Conjunctions which are used to express a contrast between two statement are known as Adversative Conjunctions.

• Ex: But
• Still
• Only
• Nevertheless
• Where as
• Yet

(a) But

She is beautiful but poor.

(b) Still

You are intelligent still you have to work hard.

(c) Only

He is a good servant only he has greed for food.

(d) Yet

He beats his wife yet he loves her.

(e) Where as

My friend is lazy where as his father is intelligent.

3. Disjunctive or Alternative Conjunction: Conjunction which are used to express a choice between two alternatives are known as Disjunctive or Alternative Conjunctions.

• Ex: Or
• Nor 
• Either – or
• Neither–nor
• Else
• Whether–or

(a) Or

You must tell me the truth or I can't help you.

(b) Nor

She is not a teacher nor a typist.

(c) Either–Or

You must either return my money or sell your house to me.

(e) Else

You must do the work sincerely else you will lose the job.

(f) Whether–Or

I am not sure whether she will get the job or she will have to continue teaching.

4. Illative Conjunction: Conjunction which are used to ex-press an inference are known as illative Conjunctions

• Ex: for
• Since
• So
• Therefore
• Consequently

(a) For 

I loved Ameera for she is very brilliant.

(b) Since

He is poor so he cannot visit the holiday resort.

(d) Therefore

He is my enemy therefore I dislike him.

(e) Consequently

My father died last year; consequently we are facing financial hardships.

4. Subordinating Conjunctions: Conjunction which are used to join clauses of unequal rank are known as subordinating conjunctions.

• Ex: after
• Because
• If
• That
• Though
• Although
• Till
• Before
• Unless
• As
• When
• Where
• While
• Than

(a) After

He came after I had finished my work.

(b) Because 

She was sad because she lost her job.

(c) If

If she helps me, I will be happy.

(d) That

We believe that Zeenat is a genius.

(e) Though

Though he is your brother, you should not trouble him like that.

(f) Although

Although you are rich, you cannot do everything.

(g) Till

I waited till Ibrahim came.

(h) Before

The plane had been hijacked before it arrived at the 

(I) Unless

Unless I marry Maryam, I will not be happy.

(j) As

Do as tell you.

(K) When

She came when I was reading a novel.

(l) Where

Please stay where you are.

(m) While 

She is watching television while I am reading.

(n) Than 

She wrote the exam better than I expected.

Subordinating Conjunctions are divided into seven classes:

1. Time

• Ex: before
• After
• Till
• Since
• When
• While

Ex: Lola had gone before I spoke to her.

I began my work after they had gone.

I will wait for you till you return.

I haven't seen Abbas since she was married.

I shall be happy when Bukola returns to school.

She was speaking with her friends while I was trying to sleep.

2. Cause or Reason

Ex: I was upset very much because Kunle was angry with me.

Since it is dark, take the torch with you.

As she is my sister, I like her.

3. Purpose

Ex: We eat that we may live.

He walked quietly lest he should disturb his mother.

4. Result or Consequence

Ex: He talked so fast that I could not understand him.

5. Condition

• Ex: if
• Unless
• Provided

Ex: if she comes here, I shall talk to her.

Unless you ask me, I can't teach you.

You can take the book provided you return it by tomorrow.

6. Concession

Ex: Although he has a lot of money, he does not spend it.

However hard he tries, he fails in the exam.

7. Comparison

Ex: She respected me more than I thought.

Aishat walks as beautifully as a film star.

A. COMMON ERRORS IN THE USE OF SOME CONJUNCTIONS

1. When correlative conjunctions are used, care should be taken to see that two nouns and verbs are joined properly.

Ex: You should either come today or tomorrow. [Incorrect]

You should come either today or tomorrow. [Correct]

Neither he is a fool nor a mad man. [Incorrect]

He is neither a fool nor a mad man. [Correct]

2. Neither is always followed by nor

Ex: I received neither letter or telegram. [Incorrect]

I received neither letter nor telegram. ]Correct]

Neither he is fool nor a mad man. [Incorrect]

He is neither a fool nor a mad man. [Correct]

2. Neither is always followed by nor

Ex; I received neither letter or telegram. [Incorrect]

I received neither letter nor telegram. [Correct]

I know neither Umar or his wife. [Incorrect]

I know neither Umar nor his wife. [Correct]

3. Either is followed by or

Ex: she is either a teacher nor a student. [Incorrect]

She is either a teacher or a student. [Correct]

4. Scarcely and hardly are always followed by when 

Ex: I had scarcely reached home than it started raining heavily. [Incorrect]

I had scarcely reached home when it started raining heavily. [Correct]

5. No sooner is always followed by than

Ex: I had no sooner finished my studies when I get a job. [Incorrect]

I had no sooner finished my studies than I got a job. [Correct]

6. Correct form of pronoun must be used after the words than and as

Ex: I am as tall as him. [Incorrect]

I am as tall as he. [Correct]

He is cleverer than me. [Incorrect]

He is cleverer than I. [Correct]

7. Rather and other are followed by than

Ex: I would rather speak English but French. [Incorrect]

I would rather speak English than French. [Correct]

I loved no other girl except Hauwa. [Incorrect]

I loved no other girl than Bukola. [Correct]

8. Like cannot be used as a conjunction

Ex: She speaks English well like her mother. [Incorrect]

She speaks English well as her mother (does). [Correct]

9. Conjunctions should not be omitted

Ex: She is more beautiful, but not so kind as her sister. [Incorrect]

She is more beautiful than, but not so kind as her sister. [Correct]

The book is as useful, if not more useful than that. [Incorrect]

The book is as useful as, if not more useful than that. [Correct]

10. Unless is negative in sense. So it should not be used with not.

Ex: Unless you don't ask me,I cannot help you. [Incorrect]

Unless you ask me, I cannot help you. [Correct]

12. That is not used in indirect speech with 'wh' words 

Ex: She asked me that whether I had posted the letter. [Incorrect]

She asked me whether I had posted the letter. [Correct]

Please tell me that where you are staying now. [Incorrect]

Please tell me where you are staying now. [Correct]

13. Since must be preceded by a present or past perfect tense.

Ex: Five years passed since I saw Francisca. [Incorrect]

Five years have passed since I saw Francisca. [Correct]