Coordinating Conjunctions and Correlative Conjunctions | Basic English Grammar for Competitive Exams - Bank Exams PDF Download

A conjunction joins words or groups of words in a sentence.

• I ate lunch with Kate and Derma.
• Because it is rainy today, the trip is canceled.
• She didn’t press the bell, but I did.

There are three types of conjunctions:

• Coordinating Conjunctions
  • Connect words, phrases, or clauses that are independent or equal
  • and, but, or, so, for, yet, and not
• Correlative Conjunctions
  • Used in pairs
  • both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also
• Subordinating Conjunctions
  • Used at the beginning of subordinate clauses
  • although, after, before, because, how, if, once, since, so that, until, unless, when, while, where, whether, etc.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• And—means "in addition to":
  • We are going to a zoo and an aquarium on the same day.
• But—connects two different things that are not in agreement:
  • I am a night owl, but she is an early bird.
• Or—indicates a choice between two things:
  • Do you want a red one or a blue one?
• So—illustrates a result of the first thing:
  • This song has been very popular, so I downloaded it.
• For—means "because":
  • I want to go there again, for it was a wonderful trip.
• Yet—indicates contrast with something:
  • He performed very well, yet he didn’t make the final cut.

Correlative Conjunctions

• Both/and
  • She won gold medals from both the single and group races.
  • Both TV and television are correct words.
• Either/or
  • I am fine with either Monday or Wednesday.
  • You can have either apples or pears.
• Neither/nor
  • He enjoys neither drinking nor gambling.
  • Neither you nor I will get off early today.
• Not only/but also
  • Not only red but also green looks good on you.
  • She got the perfect score in not only English but also math.

Q. Write the correct conjunction in each sentence.
(i) ____ my friend ____ I are taking the geography class.

Both, and

(ii) Do you want to go swimming ____ golfing?

or

(iii) I studied grammar for a long time, ____ I still make mistakes.

but (yet)

(iv) ____ wood ____ bricks can be used as homebuilding materials.

Either, or

(v) I wasn’t feeling well this morning, ____ I had to go to work.

yet (but)