Practise Your Grammar. Conjunctions.

PRACTISE YOUR GRAMMAR

 

CONJUCTIONS

 

The materials under consideration give the opportunity for learners to refresh their knowledge on such essential grammar aspect as conjunction and be prepared for some basic tests.

 

Conjunctions join ideas by joining grammatical structures. Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, clauses. There are different kinds of conjunctions. The use of the following selected conjunctions will be discussed in detail.

1.   EVEN THOUGH, THOUGH, ALTHOUGH.

All these words are used to join two opposite clauses. They have the same meaning.

Examples

•   It was raining hard. I went to the zoo.

Even though (Though. Although) it was raining hard, I went to the zoo.

•   I studied hard. I didn’t pass the test.

Although I studied hard, I didn’t pass the test.

•   The food was bad. I ate it all.

Though the food was bad, I ate it all.

 

2.    AND, BUT, OR

These are coordinating conjunctions. They join grammatical structures of the same kind: words to words, phrase to phrases: clause to clause.

And joins (expresses) additional ideas.

But joins opposite ideas.

Or expresses choice or alternative.

Examples

•   The thief grabbed the bag and ran away.
•   The thief grabbed the bag but couldn’t escape.
•   She is beautiful but unkind.
•   She is beautiful and kind.

•   You can drink coffee or tea, whichever you prefer.

 

3.    SO, THEREFORE, CONSEQUENTLY.

All of the above connectors join result clauses. They have the same meaning.

Examples

She likes to travel, so she becomes an air-hostess.

Sam didn’t study. Therefore, he failed the test.

I didn't have an umbrella. Consequently, I got wet.

 

4.    Because and so that

      Because joins a reason clause.

Examples

1.    Why did you stay home?
2.    Because the weather was cold, (we stayed home).

• Kate: Why were you late for the meeting?
• Leo: Because the traffic was heavy.

Because the traffic was heavy, we were late for the meeting.

      We use so that to express (joins) a purpose (clause). It has the same meaning with in order that.

 

Examples

•   Please put the milk in the refrigerator so that it won’t spoil.
•   I will take my umbrella so that I won't get wet.
•   Please be quiet so that I can get to sleep.

 

Examples

1.   _____________ it is a very cold day, there are a lot of people outside.

 

1.   Because C. If
2.   Although D. But

The above given sentences have contrasting (opposite) meanings. If it were cold, nobody could stay out. Therefore, we can only use although to join these two sentences. But should be used in the middle.

It is a very cold day, but there are a lot of people outside.

 

2.     Planes are faster than _____________ trains ___________ cars.

1.   neither/nor C. only/but  also
2.   either/or D. nor/or

Neither ‒ nor means none of the two.

Either ‒ or means one of the two.

We don't say only/but also. It should have been not only/but also.

We don't say nor/or. We know that planes are faster than both trains and cars. So we can use either ‒ or to mean:  planes are faster than one of the two.

 

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Choose the best answer for the following questions.

1. I turned off the TV ______________ I could study in peace and quiet.

A. because C. though

B. so that D. consequently

2. She enjoyed studying sciences in high school; ________________ she decided to major in biology in college.

 

A. because C. but

B. so that D. therefore

3. Last night's storm damaged the power lines; _________________, the town was without electricity for several hours.

A. but C. consequently

B. and D. because

4. The old man puts on his eyeglasses _____________ starts reading the newspaper.

A. but C. and

B. or D. so that

5. She types quickly ________________ accurately.

A. but C. so that

B. and D. or

6. I can write you ______________ phone you when you want.

A. but C. or

B. and D. so that

7. She is very fat ____________________ she runs faster than her sister.

A. and C. or

B. but D. so that

8. She speaks fluent English_______________ makes lots of errors.

A. and C. but

B. or D. because

9. _____________________ his wife is ill, he has to do all the cooking and cleaning.

A. Although C. Consequently

B. Because D. So that

10. The teacher couldn’t teach _________________ the students were disturbing.

A. but C. because

B. or D. Although

11. ________________ our team played well, we couldn’t win.

A. Because C. Therefore

B. Although D. So that

12. She failed the test _________________ she studied hard.

A. though C. Consequently

B. So that D. and

 

 

KEYS

1. B 5. A 9. B

2. D 6. C 10. C

3. C 7. B 11. B

4. C 8. C 12. A