Key Notes: Conjunctions | English Grammar Basic - Class 10 PDF Download

A Conjunction is a word which joins together sentences and sometimes words.

They are used for:

1. adding information

Examples:
furthermore, in addition, moreover

2. expressing similarity

Examples:
in the same way, similarly

3. expressing difference

Examples:
while, whereas, but, instead,

4. expressing purpose

Examples:
so that, otherwise, in order to, in case, for

5. showing time

Examples:
when, after, as, as soon as

Note: 

• We use ‘and’ to join similar facts or statements.
• We use ‘but’ to express the contrast between the two statements.
• We use ‘or’ to express a choice between two alternatives.

Conjunctions may be used in pairs as well.

• Either-or-Either stands up or leaves the class.
• Neither-nor-He can play neither cricket nor basketball properly.
• Whether-or-I does not know whether to believe you or not.
• The both-and-Our teacher is both honest and hard-working.
• The not only-but also-The child is not only naughty but destructive also.

Note: Such types of conjunctions are also called correlative conjunctions. These are used immediately before the words are connected.

There are certain compound expressions also which can be sometimes used as connectors like even if, as though, so that, as well as, provided that, in order that, etc.

Examples:

• She walks as if she were lame.
• I will give you money provided that you promise to return it one time.
• He is good-looking as well as well-mannered.

Types of Conjunctions

A. Co-ordinating Conjunctions: 

• These types join clauses of equal rank.
• Example: Finish the work or I will complain against you.

B. Subordinating Conjunctions: 

• These types join a clause with another on which it depends for its complete meaning.
• Example: We eat so that we may live.

C. Correlative Conjunctions:

• Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions used to illustrate how two words or phrases within a sentence relate to each other. Correlative conjunctions always come in pairs. 
• Example: We could either hike up the mountain or swim in the lake this afternoon.

Uses of Conjunctions

1. Not only ..... but also is used before those words which it stresses.

2. Neither is followed by nor while either is followed by or.

3. Both is followed by and.

4. Though and although are followed by yet.

5. Even if is followed by but.

6. That cannot be used to express interrogative or imperative expression.

7. Whether is followed by 'or' or ' not'.

8. When is used when two actions take place one by one; if two actions are simultaneous, use while.

9. Lest is followed by should, if it is negative, do not use another negative with it.

10. No sooner is followed by than, just after no sooner we use helping verb.

11. Other is followed by than.

12. Until is used for time while unless is used for condition. They are negatives and so you should not use any negative with them.

13. Scarcely, hardly and barely are followed by when. After scarcely, hardly, etc. we use helping verb first before the subject.

14. So and so that are used for cause and purpose, so they cannot be used in negative.

15. Nothing is followed by but.

16. After these verbs, like treat, regard, describe, present, portray, define, depict, etc. we use as before noun

17.  Such is followed by as.