Conjunctions in English - Shortcut Rules

Friends, in this post we shall discuss some important Rules of Conjunctions.

Rule 1 : The co-relative conjunctions are used in pairs.

1. Not only - but also
2. Either - or
3. Neither - nor
4. Both - and
5. Though - yet
6. Whether - or

Please see that the pair is properly used.

• They will either do the work else return the money. ☓
• They will either do the work or return the money.✔

• Both kumar as well as Ravi must finish it. ☓
• Both kumar and Ravi must finish it.✔

• Not only does he read but also writes.✔

• Though he is rich but he is economical. ☓
• Though he is rich yet he is economical.✔

Rule 2 : After the adverbs "Hardly / Scarcely", the conjunction 'when or before' should be used.

• Hardly had he left the place than the Bomb exploded. ☓
• Hardly had he left the place when the Bomb exploded.✔

Rule 3 : After 'Rather / Other, the subordinating conjunction 'Than should be used.

• He has no other object but to get a handsome job. ☓
• He has no other object than to get a handsome job.✔

• I would rather buy a scooter but not a cycle. ☓
• I would rather buy a scooter than a cycle.✔

Rule 4 : After the subordinating conjunction 'lest' the auxiliary 'should' is used.

              Lest - for fear that / If it is not so.

• Work hard lest you fail. ☓
• Work hard lest you should fail.✔

Rule 5 : The connecting word 'that' is used with the adjective phrase 'the same/the only/superlative adjectives/all

• This is the same book which I wanted. ☓
• This is the same book that I wanted.✔

Rule 6 : The conjunction 'or' is used with not / never.

• I have never spoken to him nor written to him. ☓
• I have never spoken to him or written to him.✔

Rule 7 : With the word 'such' the connective 'that' may be used.

• There was such a noise what we could not hear ourselves. ☓
• There was such a noise that we could not hear ourselves.✔

Rule 8 : 

> Until - Denotes Time
> Unless - Denotes Condition

• You will not succeed until you work hard. ☓
• You will not succeed unless you work hard.✔

• I want to stay here unless she speaks the truth. ☓
• I want to stay here until she speaks the truth.✔

• You cannot do well until you prepare yourself. ☓
• You cannot do well unless you prepare yourself.✔

Rule 9 : After the connective 'because' the words ' so / therefore / as' are not used.

• Because he came late so he failed to see her. ☓
• Because he came late, he fail to see her.✔

Rule 10 : The adverb 'Not' should not be used with the connective 'Till/unless/lest/until' in that clause.

• Until he does not solve this problem, I will stay with him. ☓
• Until he solves this problem, I will stay with him.✔

• Unless they do not work sincere, they will not succeed. ☓
• Unless they work sincerely, they will not succeed.✔

Rule 11 : When 'since' is used as a conjunction should be preceded by present perfect tense and followed by a verb in the past tense to denote point of time.

• Many things have happened since I have left the school. ☓
• Many things have happened since I left the school.✔

Rule 12 : With the conjunction 'if' 'then' should not be used.

• If you work for 8 hours a day, then you will get through the examination. ☓
• If you work for 8 hours a day, you will get through the examination.✔

Rule 13 : When two objects are joined by 'as well/besides/along with /together with / in addition to / except / including with, the verb agrees with the first subject in number.

• He as well as his students have gone there. ☓
• He as well as his students has gone there.✔