This is another post about English Grammar. It was the time to understand conjunctions from Wren and Martin. In this blog we will try to understand and remember few fundamentals about conjunctions.
So let's start with the meaning for conjunction.
Conjunction is a word which merely joins either sentences or words.
It would be nice to see some example to support such a small statement.
God made the country and man made the town.
Here and connects between 2 sentences i.e. First is god made the country whereas second is man made the town.
Two and two make four.
Here and connects between 2 words i.e first word is Two and second is word is Two.
Ramsingh is 65 year old, but he still runs 5Km everyday.
But is connecting two statement.
Conjunction joins 2 statement and often make them more compact.
E.g. Raju is poor, but honest.
This statement can be restated as "Raju is poor, but he is honest."
To differentiate between relative Conjunctions, relative adverb, and proposition, we must put additional cares, as all of them are connecting words.
Conjunction classification
Coordinating Conjunction: Joins both the clauses of equal rank. These are divided in 4 forms.
A. Cumulative: and(Joins 2 sentences)
We are writing the message and watching the movie.
B. Adversative: But, Still, Only (express opposition and contrast between 2 statements)
Radha was Krishna's love, but not wife.
C. Alternative: Either or, Neither Nor.(Demonstrate the choice between 2 sentences)
Neither Ravan nor Ram was willing for a war.
D. Illative: For (Express an inference)
All precautions must have been neglected, for the plague spread rapidly.
Subordinating Conjunction: Joins a clause to another on which it depends on its full meaning. Subordinating conjunctions are classified further as follows:
A. Time: before, till, Since, after
I returned home after he has gone.
B. Cause or Reason: Because, Since, As
As he was not reading, I scolded him.
C. Purpose: So, Lest
We earn so that we can eat.
D. Result or Consequence: that
I was not so interested in book that I could read it.
E. Condition: if
Ram can write if Hari can dictate.
F. Concession: though/Although
I will not see him, though he comes.
G. Comparison: than
Sachin is better player than Kaif.
List of conjunction
But, either.. or, neither.. nor, whether... or, though... yet, that, before, how, as, unless, until, though, although, when, while, where, if, than, that, since, after, till, and, until, for, lest, still, only, yet, where, except, else, otherwise, whenever.
These are commonly used conjunctions in English language, if I find some more than I must add them to the list.
Let's discuss few important conjunctions are their uses.
Important Conjunctions and their uses
Since
A. From and after the time when; as
I have been praying for India since(I started praying when Sachin was out.) Sachin fell.
In such use of Since, it must be preceded by verb in present perfect form, and followed by verb in simple past tense.
B. Seeing that, in as much as; as
Since(Seeing that) you are tired, you must rest.
Or
A. To introduce an alternative.
You must work or starve.
B. To introduce an alternative name or synonym.
Ram or Shyam play today cricket game.
C. To mean otherwise.
We must hasten or night will overtake us.
D. As nearly equivalent to and.
The troops were not in wanting in strength or courage, but they were badly fed.
If
A. Condition/Supposition
If he is there, I shall see him.
B. Admitting
If I am blunt, I am atleast honest.
C. Whether
I asked him if he have a pen.
D. Whenever
If I feel any doubt I inquire.
That
A. Reason or Cause
He was annoyed that he lost the bet.
B. Express a purpose
We sow that we may reap.
C. Express a Consequence
He bled so profusely that he died.
Than
Follows adjectives and adverbs in the comparative degree.
Cricket is watched more than any other game in India.
Lest
Expresses a negative purpose, and is equivalent to 'In order that... not', 'for fear that'.
He fled lest he should be killed.
While
A. During the time that, as long as
While there is life there is hope.
B. At the same time that.
The girls sang while the boys played.
C. Whereas
While I have no money to spend, you have nothing to spend on.
Only
As a conjunction, means except that, but, were if not.
A very pretty woman, only she squints a little.
Because. for, Since
Rest other conjunctions are not discussed here, but if I find something else must be discussed I will surely add them to the list.
So let's start with the meaning for conjunction.
Conjunction is a word which merely joins either sentences or words.
It would be nice to see some example to support such a small statement.
God made the country and man made the town.
Here and connects between 2 sentences i.e. First is god made the country whereas second is man made the town.
Two and two make four.
Here and connects between 2 words i.e first word is Two and second is word is Two.
Ramsingh is 65 year old, but he still runs 5Km everyday.
But is connecting two statement.
Conjunction joins 2 statement and often make them more compact.
E.g. Raju is poor, but honest.
This statement can be restated as "Raju is poor, but he is honest."
To differentiate between relative Conjunctions, relative adverb, and proposition, we must put additional cares, as all of them are connecting words.
Conjunction classification
Coordinating Conjunction: Joins both the clauses of equal rank. These are divided in 4 forms.
A. Cumulative: and(Joins 2 sentences)
We are writing the message and watching the movie.
B. Adversative: But, Still, Only (express opposition and contrast between 2 statements)
Radha was Krishna's love, but not wife.
C. Alternative: Either or, Neither Nor.(Demonstrate the choice between 2 sentences)
Neither Ravan nor Ram was willing for a war.
D. Illative: For (Express an inference)
All precautions must have been neglected, for the plague spread rapidly.
Subordinating Conjunction: Joins a clause to another on which it depends on its full meaning. Subordinating conjunctions are classified further as follows:
A. Time: before, till, Since, after
I returned home after he has gone.
B. Cause or Reason: Because, Since, As
As he was not reading, I scolded him.
C. Purpose: So, Lest
We earn so that we can eat.
D. Result or Consequence: that
I was not so interested in book that I could read it.
E. Condition: if
Ram can write if Hari can dictate.
F. Concession: though/Although
I will not see him, though he comes.
G. Comparison: than
Sachin is better player than Kaif.
List of conjunction
But, either.. or, neither.. nor, whether... or, though... yet, that, before, how, as, unless, until, though, although, when, while, where, if, than, that, since, after, till, and, until, for, lest, still, only, yet, where, except, else, otherwise, whenever.
These are commonly used conjunctions in English language, if I find some more than I must add them to the list.
Let's discuss few important conjunctions are their uses.
Important Conjunctions and their uses
Since
A. From and after the time when; as
I have been praying for India since(I started praying when Sachin was out.) Sachin fell.
In such use of Since, it must be preceded by verb in present perfect form, and followed by verb in simple past tense.
B. Seeing that, in as much as; as
Since(Seeing that) you are tired, you must rest.
Or
A. To introduce an alternative.
You must work or starve.
B. To introduce an alternative name or synonym.
Ram or Shyam play today cricket game.
C. To mean otherwise.
We must hasten or night will overtake us.
D. As nearly equivalent to and.
The troops were not in wanting in strength or courage, but they were badly fed.
If
A. Condition/Supposition
If he is there, I shall see him.
B. Admitting
If I am blunt, I am atleast honest.
C. Whether
I asked him if he have a pen.
D. Whenever
If I feel any doubt I inquire.
That
A. Reason or Cause
He was annoyed that he lost the bet.
B. Express a purpose
We sow that we may reap.
C. Express a Consequence
He bled so profusely that he died.
Than
Follows adjectives and adverbs in the comparative degree.
Cricket is watched more than any other game in India.
Lest
Expresses a negative purpose, and is equivalent to 'In order that... not', 'for fear that'.
He fled lest he should be killed.
While
A. During the time that, as long as
While there is life there is hope.
B. At the same time that.
The girls sang while the boys played.
C. Whereas
While I have no money to spend, you have nothing to spend on.
Only
As a conjunction, means except that, but, were if not.
A very pretty woman, only she squints a little.
Because. for, Since
Rest other conjunctions are not discussed here, but if I find something else must be discussed I will surely add them to the list.
