Rules of Conjunction: English Grammar Series

Good knowledge of rules of grammar and their correct usage in right perspective, Is the only way of attempting the questions relating to the spotting errors.

Rule 1.

‘Not only …..but also , Either …..or , Neither …..nor ’these are co-relative conjunctions or termed as co-relatives . Its special features is to join two subjects or two objects or two verbs.
Examples – a) Not only Deepak but also Moti can do it
[ Deepak & Moti both are Subject ]
b) I like not only Deepak but also Moti
[ Deepak & Moti both are Object ]
c) He will not only go but also stay there
[ Go & Stay both are Verbs ]

Rule 2.

After ‘Although’ or ‘Though’ Yet comes at the end. But in exams they use but , or , else , and etc. , so be aware in such cases. You can also use comma in place of Yet to make the sentence correct.
Examples – a) Although he is rich but/and he is dishonest (Incorrect)
b) Although he is rich , he is dishonest (Correct)

Rule 3.

Both must be followed by and not ‘as well as’ or ‘else’. So in exams be aware of this facts
Examples – a) Both Ram as well as Shyam may come today (Incorrect)
b) Both Ram and Shyam may come today (Correct)

Rule 4.

Whether must be followed by ‘or’. Most of the time in exams they use ‘that’ or ‘if’ in place of ‘or’ . so be aware of this facts
Examples – a) I don’t know that he will come or not (Incorrect)
b) I don’t know whether he will come or not (Correct)

Rule 5.

‘So….as / As…..as’ is used in Positive degree to compare between two persons or two things.
Point 1 – So…..as is used in Negative sentence
Point 2 – As…..as is used in both Positive and Negative sentence
Examples – a) Ram is not so good as you (Negative Sentence)
b) Ram is as good as you (Affirmative sentence)
c) Ram is not as good as you (Negative sentence)

Rule 6.

‘Hardly/Scarcely’ must be followed by ‘when’. But in exams they use ‘That / then / than’ so always keep in mind Hardly/Scarcely must be followed by only ‘when’
Examples – a) Hardly had he gone out of the office that the telephone bell rang (Incorrect)
b) Hardly had he gone out of the office when the telephone bell rang (Correct)

Rule 7.

‘Rather’ or ‘Other’ must be followed by than but in exams they use ‘but’ in place of than . So be aware of this
Examples – a) I have no other object but to get a job (Incorrect)
b) I have no other object than to get a job (Correct)

Rule 8.

Not / Never must be followed by ‘or’
Examples – a) I have not met him or invited him. (Correct)
b) I have never spoken to him or written to him. (Correct)

Rule 9.

Conjunction Lest must be followed by an Auxiliary Verb “should’’ . but in exams they uses may/will , etc. so be aware of this facts
Examples – a) Work hard , lest you may fail (Incorrect)
b) Work hard , lest you should fail (Correct)

Rule 10.

The same must be followed by a Relative Pronoun “that” or “as”
Point 1 – After “The same”, That must be used when Verb is clear.
Examples – a) This is the same book that I wanted
b) This is the same cow that was grazing in the field (was grazing – verb)
Point 2 – After “The Same” As must be used when Verb is not clear.
Examples – a) This is the same dog as mine

Rule 11.

Point 1 - Unless gives a sense of Condition
Point 2 - Until gives a sense of Time
Examples – a) Wait until I come back
b) You will not succeed unless you work hard