A conjunction joins words, phrases or clauses.
1. Three Types
- Coordinating (join equals) — FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
- Subordinating (join a dependent clause to a main clause): because, although, though, unless, until, while, since, as, if, when, after, before, that, so that.
- Correlative (used in pairs): either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, both…and, whether…or, no sooner…than, hardly…when, scarcely…when, as…as.
2. Joining Sentences WITHOUT and / but / so (key ICSE skill)
| Idea | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reason / cause | as / since / because | He was tired. He rested. → As he was tired, he rested. |
| Result of a quality | so + adj + that | The bag is heavy. He can't carry it. → The bag is so heavy that he can't carry it. |
| Excess (negative result) | too + adj + to | The tea is hot. I can't drink it. → The tea is too hot to drink. |
| Enough | adj + enough + to | He is strong. He can lift it. → He is strong enough to lift it. |
| Purpose | so that / in order that | She studies hard. She wants to pass. → She studies hard so that she may pass. |
| Immediate sequence | no sooner…than / as soon as | The bell rang. The students left. → No sooner did the bell ring than the students left. |
| Two qualities of one subject | not only…but also / both…and | He is brave. He is honest. → He is not only brave but also honest. |
| Concession | although / though / even though | He is poor. He is happy. → Although he is poor, he is happy. |
| Condition | unless / if | Work hard or you will fail. → Unless you work hard, you will fail. |
3. Correlative Rules to Remember
- neither…nor / either…or → verb agrees with the nearer subject: Neither the boys nor the teacher was present.
- no sooner…than (not no sooner…when); begin with No sooner → invert: No sooner did he arrive than…
- not only…but also must be followed by parallel structures.
Quick tip: First decide the relationship between the two sentences (cause, result, time, contrast, condition) — the correct conjunction follows directly from that relationship.