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Welcome to our blog on Sentence Connectors, an essential topic in English Language that plays a crucial role in all competitive exams. Approximately 3 - 4 questions are certain to appear from this topic in the exam, making it imperative for you to grasp the concepts of Error Spotting thoroughly and practice a variety of questions.

In this blog, we will comprehensively cover all the theoretical concepts and rules of this topic. Additionally, we have included previously asked questions from various competitive exams, to help you get a feel for what to expect. So, let's dive into the world of Sentence Connectors/Conjunctions and boost your exam preparation.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Sentence Connectors Conjunction piccs" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Sentence_Connectors_Conjunction_piccs.webp" style="height:338px; width:600px">

[Source: KD Live]

<h2 id="content-id-1481-0">What are Sentence Connectors?</h2>

Linking words (conjunctions and connectors) are used to join clauses, phrases, and words together for constructing sentences. Conjunctions make a link between/among words or groups of words to other parts of the sentence and show a relationship between/among them.

A conjunctive adverb connects phrases or independent clauses. It provides transitions between ideas and shows relationships. Conjunctive adverbs are also called connectors.

Example: It rained last night. Nonetheless, the final match has not been canceled.

We are still confused, however, if the umpires will come.

<h2 id="content-id-1481-1">Types of Conjunctions or Sentence Connectors</h2>

• Coordinating Conjunctions

• Correlative Conjunctions

• Subordinating Conjunctions

<h2 id="content-id-1481-2">Coordinating Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors</h2>

The job of a coordinating conjunction is to join two words, phrases, or independent clauses, which are parallel in structure. There are seven coordinating conjunctions which are by far the most common conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet.

Example:

• We went to the stadium and enjoyed the cricket match.

• Do you want an ice cream or chocolate?

• Go away and never come back.

<h2 id="content-id-1481-3">Correlative Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors</h2>

A correlative conjunction uses a set of words in a parallel sentence structure to show a contrast or to compare the equal parts of a sentence. The words of correlative conjunctions have a special connection between them. The correlative conjunctions are not only - but also, either- or, neither - nor, both - and, not - but, whether - or.

Example: 

• Neither Alex nor Robin can play baseball.

• I want both ice cream and chocolate.

• He ate not only the ice cream but also the chocolate.

<h2 id="content-id-1481-4">Subordinating Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors</h2>

A subordinating conjunction joins elements of an unparallel sentence structure. These elements are usually a dependent clause and an independent clause. Most commonly used subordinating conjunctions are: After, how, than, when, although, if, that, where, as, in order that, though, which, as much as, unless, while, because, provided, until, who/whom, before, since, what, whoever/whomever

Example: 

• Before we left home, I had had my breakfast.

• Provided they come, we can start class Tuesday.

• When he was washing my car, I went to the store.

<h2 id="content-id-1481-5">Rules of Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors</h2>

RULE 1

‘Since’, ‘as’ conjunction means:

A) From and after the time when: For example: a) Many things have happened since I left the school.

B) Since that: For example : a) Since you wish it, it shall be done.

RULE 2 

‘Or’ is used:

A) To introduce an alternative. For example: a) You must work or starve.

B) To introduce an alternative name or synonym. For example: The violin or fiddle has become the leading instrument of the modern orchestra.

C) To mean otherwise. For example: We must hasten or night will overtake us.

RULE 3

‘If’ is used to mean:

A) On the condition or supposition that For example: a) If he is here, I shall see him.

B) Admitting that: For example: If I am blunt, I am at least honest.

C) Whether: For example: I asked him if he would help me.

D) Whenever: For example: If I feel any doubt I enquire.

RULE 4

‘That’ is used:

A) To express a reason or cause: For example: a) Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more

B) To express a purpose and is equivalent to in order that. For example : He kept quiet that the dispute might cease.

C) To express a consequence, result or effect. For example: He bled so profusely that he died

RULE 5

‘Lest’ is used to express a negative purpose and is equivalent to ‘in order that… not’, ‘for fear that’.

Example: He lied lest he should be killed.

RULE 6

‘While’ is used to mean:

A) During that time, as long as : For example: while there is life there is hope.

B) At the same time that. For example: While he found fault, he also praised.

RULE 7

‘Only’ means except that, but:

Example: A ‘very pretty woman, only she squints a little.

RULE 8

The conjunctions ‘after, before, as soon as, until’ are not followed by clause in the future tense. Present simple or present perfect tense is used to express a future event.

Example:

• I will phone you after I arrive here.

• I will phone you after I have arrived here.

RULE 9

‘As if’ used in the sense of as it would be, is generally followed by a subject + were + complement.

Example:

• He loves you as if you were his own child.

• Sometimes she weeps and sometimes she laughs as if she were mad. The clause that begins with as if should be put into the past simple tense, if the preceding clause expresses a past action. But if it expresses a past action, it should be followed by the past perfect tense.

Example:

• He behaves as if he were a lord

• He behaved as if he had been a lord

RULE 10

While ‘as long as’ is used to express time in sense of how long, until is used to express time in sense of before.

Example: 

• Until you work hard you will improve. (Wrong)

• As long as you work hard you will improve. (right)

• He learnt little as long as he was 15 years old. (Wrong)

• He learnt little until he was 15 years old. (Right)

RULE 11

‘No sooner’ should be followed by verb + subject and than should begin another clause.

Example:

• No sooner had I reached the station than the train left.

• No sooner did the bell ring than all the students rushed in.

RULE 12

When ‘as well as’ is used, finite verb should agree in number and person with the first subject.

Example: He as well as us is innocent.

As well as should never be used in place of and if the first subject is preceded by the word ‘both’.

Example:

• Both Rani as well as Kajol came. (Wrong)

• Both Rani and Kajol came. (Right)

RULE 13

A) ‘Because’ is generally used when the reason is the most important part of a sentence.

Example: Some people like him because he is honest and hard working.

B) ‘Since’ is used when the reason is already known or is less important than the chief statement.

Example: Since you refuse to cooperate, I shall have to take legal steps.

C) ‘For’ is used when reason given is an afterthought.

Example: The servant must have opened the box, for no one else had the key. For never comes at the beginning of the sentence and for is always preceded by a comma.

RULE 14

‘Scarcely’ should be followed by ‘when’ and not by ‘than’,

Example:

• Scarcely had he arrived than he had to leave again. (Wrong)

• Scarcely had he arrived when he had to leave again. (Right)

RULE 15

either..or, neither..nor, not only.. but also, both.. and, whether, or

Conjunctions such as either..or, neither.. nor, not only..but also, both..and, whether, or etc. always join two words or phrases belonging to the same parts of speech.

Example: 

• Either he will ask me or you. (Wrong)

• He will ask either me or you. (Right)

RULE 16

neither..nor, either..or

Conjunctions like neither..nor, either..or, should be followed by the same part of speech.

Example:

• He neither agreed to my proposal nor to his. (Wrong)

• He agreed neither to my proposal nor to his. (Right)

RULE 17

‘Although’ goes with ‘yet’ or a ‘comma’ in the other clause.

Example:

• Although Manohar is hardworking but he does not get a job. (Wrong)

• Although Manohar is hard working, yet he does not get a job. (Right)

RULE 18

‘Nothing else’ should be followed by ‘but’ not by ‘than’,

Example:

• Mr. Bureaucrat! This is nothing else than red-tapism. (Wrong)

• Mr. Bureaucrat! This is nothing else but red-tapism. (Right)

RULE 19

The correlative conjunctions ‘indeed… but’ are used to emphasize the contrast between the first and the second parts of the statement.

Example: 

• I am indeed happy with my school but it produces famous men. (Wrong)

• I am indeed happy with my school but it does not produce famous men. (Right)

• I am indeed happy with my school that it produces famous men. (Right)

RULE 20

In a ‘not only … but also…’ sentence, the verb should agree with the noun or pronoun mentioned second, that is; the one after ‘but also’, because this is the part being emphasized.

Example:

• Not only the students but also the teacher were responsible for what happened in the class. (Wrong)

• Not only the students but also the teacher was responsible for what happened in the class. (Right)

RULE 21

‘Such…as’ is used to denote a category whereas ‘such…that’ emphasises the degree of something by mentioning its consequence.

Example: 

• Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action that it deems necessary. (Wrong)

• Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action as it deems necessary. (Right) Here “it seems necessary” is not a consequence of “such action”. The sentence wants to imply that the action belongs to the category “as it deems necessary” In other words, what kind of action? Such action as it deems necessary.

• She looked at him in such distress as he had to look away. (Wrong)

• She looked at him in such distress that he had to look away. (Right) Here, “he had to look away” is a consequence of “she looked at him in such distress.” In other words, the degree of the distress of looking at him was such that (not as) he had to look away.

This topic is mostly asked in the Banking exams. So, let us now see a few previously asked questions.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Sentence Connectors Conjunction piccs previous" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Sentence_Connectors_Conjunction_piccs_previous.webp" style="height:338px; width:600px">

[Source: KD Live]

<h2 id="content-id-1481-6">Sentence Connectors - Bank Memory Based Questions </h2>

Direction (Q:1 – Q:6): Select the phrase/connector from the given options which can be used to combine the given two sentences into a single sentence, implying the same meaning. 

Q:1 A. Harry was preparing a presentation for the quarterly literature conference to be held the next day.

B. Henry was asleep on the couch. [RBI Asst. Mains 2022] 

1.While 

2.Because

3.Equally 

4.Hence

5.None of these

Q:2 A. Researchers in Sweden have found that even two minutes of aerobic exercise can have a positive effect on brain function in young adults.

B. Investigators found that aerobic exercise for two minutes to one hour at moderate to high intensity improved attention, concentration, and learning and memory functions for up to two hours. [RBI Asst. Mains 2022]

1.Intrestingly 

2.Additionally

3.However 

4.Moreover

5.None of these

Q:3 A. To assess community and close contact exposures associated with Covid-19, the scientists, including those from the US National Institutes of Health, assessed the exposures reported by 154 adult case-patients, who were diagnosed using RT-PCR tests,

B. Compared these with data from 160 control-participants who showed symptoms but had negative test results. [RRB PO Mains 2021] 

1.as 

2.when

3.to 

4.and

5.None of these

Q:4 A. Post COVID-19 hiatus, the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) is set to become the first state board to resume competitive cricket. None of the boards affiliated to BCCI has conducted any league since March owing to the pandemic.

B. JSCA is set to roll out its own T20 league. [IBPS PO Mains 2021]

1.However 

2.Meanwhile

3.Because 

4.Nonetheless

5.None of these

Q:5 A. The MSP for the major crops like rice and wheat are either close to or already more than one-and-a-half times the costs.

B. There is no compelling economic reason to announce a sharp hike in MSP for those crops, barring political compulsion to do so to meet farmers’ expectations on the eve of an election year. [RBI Asst. Mains 2022]

1.Hence 

2.Although

3.Though 

4.Whereas

5.Meanwhile

<h2 id="content-id-1481-7">Solutions of Bank Memory Based Questions of Sentence Connectors/Conjunction</h2>

Q:1 (1) The statements talk on two different perspectives. So, the connector needed should be contrast based. ‘While’ is a contrast-based connector.

Q:2 (4) The statements talk about the benefits of aerobic exercise. The most suitable connector for the sentence is ‘moreover’ as the sentence provides more information on the same aspect and is in the same tone.

Q:3 (4) The statements talk about research on community spread of the virus. There is only one connector in the options that fit best (grammatically as well as contextually) i.e. ’and’. 

Q:4 (2) The statements talk about an event by the JSCA.

The best suitable connector for the sentences to form a single sentence is ‘meanwhile’ as it is used in the sentences that cite an intervening period of time.

Q:5 (1) Only ‘hence’ indicates a conclusion. So, it is the appropriate answer. None of the above sentence connector shows a conclusion.

This article has provided you with valuable insights into the world of Sentence Connectors/Conjunctions. We sincerely hope that you have found this blog useful and that it has contributed to enhancing your understanding of this crucial topic. As you continue to gear up for your upcoming exam, we encourage you to share your thoughts, or any doubts you may have in the comments section below.

Stay tuned, as <a href="https://study.kdcampus.live/">KD Live</a> promises to bring you more such informative blogs with comprehensive study material and a thorough analysis of previous year questions on all the topics of English Language section. Best of luck with your exam preparations, and may you excel in your endeavors!

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Download complete study material of Sentence Connectors/Conjunction and practice Previous Year Questions. Learn the rules, tips and tricks to score well in exam.

Types of Conjunctions or Sentence Connectors

Coordinating Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors

Correlative Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors

Subordinating Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors

Rules of Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors

Sentence Connectors - Bank Memory Based Questions 

Solutions of Bank Memory Based Questions of Sentence Connectors/Conjunction

Sentence Connectors - Learn Rules and Practice Previous Year Questions

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