Conjunctions - Coordinating
and Subordinating
Coordinating Conjunctions :
Coordinating Conjunctions join clauses of equal importance. If the coordinating conjunction is removed, the two clauses can stand as complete, independent sentences.
For example:
Mum was angry for we had poked the icing on the cake.
Sohrab has scored a century and taken two wickets as well.
He has not come, nor has he sent a leave application.
A. Rewrite each of these sentences as two independent sentences.
1. I am getting late but will still help you out.
= I am getting late.
I will still help you out.
2. You can travel to the countryside or visit the hills.
= You can travel to the countryside.
You can visit the hills.
3. Mohit got stuck in traffic so he missed his flight.
= Mohit got stuck in traffic.
He missed his flight.
4. There has been no rain since night, yet the roads are flooded.
= There has been no rain since night.
The roads are flooded.
5. Misha was crying, for she had misplaced her new phone.
= Misha was crying.
She had misplaced her new phone.
6. She was on a diet, yet she ate everything served on the table.
= She was on a diet.
She ate everything served on the table.
7. The warden switched off the lights and asked the girls to sleep.
= The warden switched off the lights.
He asked the girls to sleep.
8. The coach made Abhi the captain, for he had good leadership skills.
= The coach made Abhi the captain.
He had leadership skills.
9. The farmer's son does not like farming, nor does he look after the cattle.
= The farmer's son does not like farming.
He does not look after the cattle.
10. The weather forecast showed rain, so we cancelled the plan to go rock climbing.
= The weather forecast showed rain.
We cancelled the plan to go rock climbing.
Correlative Conjunctions :
Correlative Conjunctions are two-word coordinating conjunctions used to join words, phrases and sentences of equal importance. They are always used in pairs.
1. So ....that = connects cause and effect
For example:
This is so hot that it can burn the fingers.
2. Either....or = connects two choices
For example:
Nisha will either study Maths or take up Geography.
3. Neither....nor= connects negative alternatives
For example:
Neither the wall nor the doors have been painted.
4. Both....and= presents related pieces of information
For example:
Both the jam and the sauces have gone bad.
5. Not only....but also= connects elements of equal importance
For example:
Not only the curtains but also the carpet needs a wash.
B. Join these sentences using the correlative conjunctions given in brackets.
1. The family will travel to Shillong. It will visit Aizawl too. (not only....but also)
= The family will not only travel to Shillong but also to Aizawl.
2. Carry enough woollens. You can keep yourself warm at night. (so....that)
= Carry so much woollens that you can keep yourself warm at night.
3. His jokes were not polite. They were not amusing. (neither....nor)
= His jokes were neither polite nor amusing.
4. Broccoli can be made into soup. It can be steamed. (either....or)
= Broccoli can either be made into soup or steamed.
5. The candidates were not smart. They were not well spoken. (neither....nor)
= The candidates were neither smart nor well spoken.
6. The water in the swimming pool was very cold. It was dirty. (not only....but also)
= The water in the swimming pool was not only very cool but also dirty.
7. The soup was hot. I burnt my tongue. (so...that)
= The soup was so hot that I burnt my tongue.
8. The movie last night was entertaining. It was inspiring too. (both....and)
= The movie last night was both entertaining and inspiring.
9. You can enroll in the drama club. You can join the book club. (either....or)
= You can either enroll in the drama club or the book club.
10. The paper was lengthy. I could not finish it in time. (so....that)
= The paper was so lengthy that I could not finish it in time.
C. Fill in the blanks with suitable subordinating conjunctions.
1. Switch off the burner as water starts boiling.
2. The fire alarm went off when somebody lighted a matchstick.
3. The oranges are so sweet though they are not fully ripe yet.
4. Rajat spent months training for the marathon so he won it.
5. Although Asif was injured, he played the series.
6. I had gone for an interview where I was asked many questions.
7. The subjects were not allowed to talk to each other as they were being observed.
8. The students are not allowed to leave the during hall before they finish their observed.
9. Since it had rained all night, the roads were completely waterlogged.
10. My mother does not allow us ice cream unless we have finished our meal.
D. Your parents gave you some instructions before they went out. Complete them by adding a suitable clause after the subordinating conjuction.
1. Do not forget to turn off the lights after getting out of the room.
2. Check the door lock twice when you go out.
3. The microwave oven is not functioning, therefore you should take it to the electrician.
4. Do not walk the dog where there is no place for dogs to play.
5. Do not try to hide your cereal because it is necessary for health.
6. Since it has less data pack enabled , I am not sharing the wi-fi password with you.
7. Do not water the potted plant in the room as it may spoil the floor.
8. The dishes can not wash themselves, therefore you should wash them properly.
9. Before we return from the function , do not leave the house.
In this chapter, we have learnt that
Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases and sentences of equal importance; Correlative conjunctions are are two-word coordinating conjunctions used to join words, phrases and sentences of equal importance; and
Subordinating conjunctions are used to join two clauses; the clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction is the subordinate clause, which makes sense only in relation to the main clause.