A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. In the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) English Language section, questions on conjunctions typically test identification, correct usage, correlative pairs, and cohesive sentence transformation.
1. Types of Conjunctions
Conjunctions are broadly categorized into three main types:
A. Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank.
* Mnemonic: FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So)
| Conjunction | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| For | Reason / Cause | He stayed at home, for he was feeling ill. |
| And | Addition | She likes tea and coffee. |
| Nor | Negative addition | He does not drink, nor does he smoke. |
| But | Contrast | She ran fast, but missed the bus. |
| Or | Choice / Alternative | You can take a bus or a train. |
| Yet | Contrast (unexpected) | He worked hard, yet he failed. |
| So | Result / Effect | It was raining, so we stayed indoors. |
B. Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join an independent main clause to a dependent (subordinate) clause, establishing a relationship of time, cause, condition, contrast, or purpose.
| Category | Conjunctions | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Time | when, while, before, after, since, until, as soon as | Wait here until I return. |
| Cause / Reason | because, since, as | She passed because she worked hard. |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, in case | You will fail unless you study hard. |
| Contrast / Concession | although, though, even though, whereas | Although it was raining, they played the match. |
| Purpose | so that, in order that, lest | Work hard lest you should fail. |
| Comparison | than, as...as | She is taller than her sister.
> Key Rule for TET: Unless already carries a negative meaning ("if not"). Do not use a negative word (not) inside a clause governed by unless.
> * Incorrect: Unless you do not work hard, you will not pass.
> * Correct: Unless you work hard, you will not pass.
C. Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join grammatically equal elements.
| Correlative Pair | Example |
|---|---|
| Either ... or | You can either stay here or go home. |
| Neither ... nor | He is neither honest nor hard-working. |
| Not only ... but also | She is not only intelligent but also humble. |
| Both ... and | Both Raju and Rani attended the meeting. |
| Hardly / Scarcely ... when | Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain. |
| No sooner ... than | No sooner did the bell ring than the students left. |
| Whether ... or | I do not know whether he will come or not. |
2. High-Yield Rules for TET Exams
Rule 1: Inversion with Negative Correlatives
When a sentence begins with No sooner, Hardly, or Scarcely, the auxiliary verb must come before the subject (Inversion).
* Pattern 1: No sooner + did + Subject + V1 + than + Subject + V2
* Example: No sooner did the teacher enter the class than the students stood up.
* Pattern 2: No sooner + had + Subject + V3 + than + Subject + V2
* Example: No sooner had he reached the station than the train left.
* Pattern 3: Hardly / Scarcely + had + Subject + V3 + when + Subject + V2
* Example: Hardly had I reached the hall when the exam started.
Rule 2: Usage of Lest
* Lest is followed by should (or a base verb in subjunctive mood).
* Never use not with lest because lest means "for fear that" (inherently negative).
* Correct: Walk carefully lest you should fall.
* Incorrect: Walk carefully lest you should not fall.
Rule 3: Although / Though Pairings
* Although and Though are followed by yet or a comma (,), never by but.
* Correct: Although he is rich, yet he is humble. / Although he is rich, he is humble.
* Incorrect: Although he is rich, but he is humble.
Rule 4: Subject-Verb Agreement with Correlative Conjunctions
When subjects are connected by Either...or, Neither...nor, or Not only...but also, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.
* Example 1: Neither the teacher nor the students were present.
* Example 2: Neither the students nor the teacher was present.
Rule 5: Between...and vs. From...to
* Always pair Between with and (not to).
* Always pair From with to.
* Correct: The meeting is scheduled between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
* Correct: The meeting is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
3. Practice Questions (TET Style)
* Identify the error in the sentence:
* No sooner did the thief see the police when he ran away.
* Correction: Replace when with than. (No sooner...than).
* Fill in the blank:
* She had scarcely finished her work _____ the guests arrived.
* Answer: when
* Choose the correct option:
* Run fast lest you _____ miss the train.
* (a) will (b) should (c) can (d) may
* Answer: (b) should
* Combine into a single sentence using 'Unless':
* If you do not work hard, you will not score good marks.
* Answer: Unless you work hard, you will not score good marks.
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