This article covers different types of conjunctions—coordinating, subordinating, and correlative—with clear explanations and examples. It includes exercises to test understanding and answers for self-assessment. Perfect for Class 8 students and ESL learners!
A conjunction is a word that is used to join two words, two phrases, or two sentences together.
Conjunctions are of three kinds:
- Coordinating conjunctions
- Subordinating conjunctions
- Correlative conjunctions
1. Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions join two independent clauses. There are seven coordinating conjunctions. These are – for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so. An easy way to remember all seven is to remember the acronym: FANBOYS.
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For example,
- Rashi doesn’t eat junk food, for she’s afraid of falling sick. (because)
- He picked up his racquet and went out to practice. (in addition to)
- Nikhil isn’t fond of cricket nor does he enjoy playing basketball. (and not)
- I tried calling her over several times, but she just didn’t respond. (contrast)
- You need to improve your attendance or face the music. (showing choice, alternative, or advice)
- Timothy is such a nice person, yet no one seems to like him. (despite something)
- Yami hadn’t heard from her brother for a while, so she decided to pay him a visit. (reason)
2. Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions join an independent clause with a dependent clause. Some of the most important subordinating conjunctions, classified according to their function, are-
Time:
when, whenever, before, while, after, since, until, as, as long as, the first time, the last time, the next time.
For example,
- Deepti has been happy ever since her parents came to live with her. (adverb clause)
- Raj will stay with them until he finds a place of his own. (adverb clause)
- The first time I ate that dish, I was surprised by how sweet it was! (adverb clause)
- I will visit you next time I come to Pune. (adverb clause)
- When he came to look for me, I was sleeping. (adverb clause)
- Can you tell me when he came to the store? (noun clause)
- I know the time when he came to the store. (adjective clause)
Place:
where, wherever
For example,
- No one went where the baby was sleeping. (adverb clause)
- Wherever we looked, there was confusion. (adverb clause)
- I know where he has gone. (noun clause)
- This is the place where I lost my purse.
Reason:
because, since, as
The main clause indicates an action or state whose reason is supplied by the adverb clause.
For example,
- Renu didn’t sit for the test since she was out of town.
- Varun wore several layers of clothing as it was really cold outside.
Manner:
as, as if, as though
The main clause indicates an action whose manner of performance is explained in the adverb clause.
For example,
- He acts as if he can’t speak at all.
- He acts as though he has no conscience. (suggesting unreality or improbability)
Purpose:
so that, in order that
The main clause indicates an action or state whose purpose is indicated in the adverb clause.
For example,
- Sushant is working hard so that he may get admission in the best college.
- In order that we reach Nainital by evening, we are leaving early morning.
Concession/Contrast:
though, although, even if, whatever, while, whereas
The main clause indicates an unexpected result, which is often contrary to what is indicated in the adverb clause. Adverb clauses beginning with while or whereas indicate a situation that is opposite to the content in the main clause. Note that though, even though and although indicate a situation which is contrary to the main clause.
For example,
- Although I left my home early, I was late for class.
- Whatever I eat, I feel sick.
- Even if we delay our departure, we will still reach on time.
- While Kriti studies hard, she does not revise enough to do well in exams. (while = though/although; adverb clause)
Condition:
if, if…then, provided that
The adverb clause expresses a condition for what is stated in the main clause to hold.
For example,
- If you are hungry, then have some biscuits.
- If you take the car, I’ll take the bike.
3. Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions are pairs of words that help to join two balanced clauses, phrases, or words. They are used in compound sentences that have clauses of equal rank. Some correlative conjunctions are – both…and, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, no sooner…than, whether…or, hardly…when.
For example,
- Not only did the girl sing a song but she also gave a dance recital.
- Whether you stay at home or go out to play, it should make no difference to anyone but yourself,’ said Rohan’s mother.
- Roshni was neither happy nor was she sad when she got her report card.
- Hardly had the guests left, when all the children pounced on the plate of snacks.
Subordinating Coordinating Correlative Conjunctions Exercises
These exercises focus on subordinating, coordinating, and correlative conjunctions, helping students practice sentence combination and proper usage. Each exercise includes fill-in-the-blanks, sentence joining, and multiple-choice questions for better understanding.
Exercise 1
A. Combine these pairs of sentences using suitable coordinating conjunctions.
1. Gagandeep helps people in need. When he needs help, no one comes forward.
2. Farah does not like cooking. She does not like eating.
3. Tara’s brother likes to cook. Their mother does not allow him to.
4. The parrot puffed up its feathers. It began to sing.
5. Debodeep has to make up his mind. He will have to continue to suffer.
6. Tarun scored good marks in the admission test. He got into his favourite college.
7. Nysa is extremely happy these days. Her teacher praised her for her project.
Exercise 2
B. Choose the correct subordinating conjunctions from the ones given in the box to fill in the blanks.
[Box: that, where, when, what, who, how, why, whom]
1. I have forgotten ________ their house is on Elm Street.
2. Can you remind me ________ I need to submit the assignment?
3. Do you know ________ we have to go to the stadium?
4. He told me ________ she was sick.
5. The boy ________ helped you is my friend.
6. I know ________ old you are.
7. ________ he is sad is a mystery.
8. The lady ________ you helped is very old.
Exercise 3
C. Choose the correct subordinating conjunction/phrase to fill in the blanks.
1. Sujoy decided to give up cheating _______ his conscience had started to bother him.
a. in case
b. although
c. because
d. even if
2. _______ Newton was sitting under the apple tree, he discovered gravity.
a. Because
b. Provided that
c. So that
d. While
3. _______ my mother woke up, she realised that she had forgotten to set the alarm.
a. When
b. Unless
c. While
d. Even though
4. _______ the students behave well, the teacher will not go to their class again.
a. Although
b. Unless
c. If
d. In the event that
5. _______ Alka is four years older than me, she looks very young.
a. Until
b. When
c. Although
d. Because
6. Debu decided to buy a car _______ he could drop his children to school.
a. in case
b. so that
c. provided that
d. although
7. The boarders in the hostel will be punished _______ they didn’t obey the rules.
a. although
b. because
c. even if
d. however
Exercise 4
D. Combine these sentences using suitable correlative conjunctions.
1. The journey was long. It was difficult as well.
2. Tina enjoyed watching the play. Gauri enjoyed watching the play.
3. The doors of the store opened. The customers rushed in immediately.
4. The poor lady did not laugh. She did not cry either.
5. You can get a haircut today. You can get a haircut next week.
6. They had just left our place. It started to rain heavily.
7. Neera can choose a kitten. She can also choose a dog.
8. She wants to be a singer. She also wants to be a scientist.
E. Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions.
1. Kohli hit the ball ____ hard ____ it went out of the stadium.
2. Rachna is ____ clever ____ talented.
3. ____ they tried their best, they could not save the tree.
4. They laughed and laughed ____ their stomachs hurt.
5. Sania can continue working ____ she can take a break.
Subordinating Coordinating Correlative Conjunctions Answers
These answers provide correct solutions for exercises on subordinating, coordinating, and correlative conjunctions, helping students check and improve their understanding.
Answer 1
1. Gagandeep helps people in need, but when he needs help, no one comes forward.
2. Farah neither likes cooking nor eating.
3. Tara’s brother likes to cook, but their mother does not allow him to.
4. The parrot puffed up its feathers and began to sing.
5. Debodeep has to make up his mind, or he will have to continue to suffer.
6. Tarun scored good marks on the admission test, so he got into his favorite college.
7. Nysa is extremely happy these days because her teacher praised her for her project.
Answer 2
1. I have forgotten where their house is on Elm Street.
2. Can you remind me when I need to submit the assignment?
3. Do you know why we have to go to the stadium?
4. He told me that she was sick.
5. The boy who helped you is my friend.
6. I know how old you are.
7. Why he is sad is a mystery.
8. The lady whom you helped is very old.
Answer 3
1. Sujoy decided to give up cheating because his conscience had started to bother him. (c)
2. While Newton was sitting under the apple tree, he discovered gravity. (d)
3. When my mother woke up, she realised that she had forgotten to set the alarm. (a)
4. Unless the students behave well, the teacher will not go to their class again. (b)
5. Although Alka is four years older than me, she looks very young. (c)
6. Debu decided to buy a car so that he could drop his children to school. (b)
7. The boarders in the hostel will be punished because they didn’t obey the rules. (b)
Answer 4
1. The journey was both long and difficult.
2. Both Tina and Gauri enjoyed watching the play.
3. No sooner had the doors of the store opened than the customers rushed in immediately.
4. The poor lady neither laughed nor cried.
5. You can get a haircut either today or next week.
6. Hardly had they left our place when it started to rain heavily.
7. Neera can choose either a kitten or a dog.
8. She wants to be not only a singer but also a scientist.
Answer 5
1. Kohli hit the ball so hard that it went out of the stadium.
2. Rachna is both clever and talented.
3. Although they tried their best, they could not save the tree.
4. They laughed and laughed until their stomachs hurt.
5. Sania can continue working or she can take a break.
FAQs Subordinating Coordinating Correlative Conjunctions
1. What are the 7 examples of correlative conjunctions?
- Either…or, Neither…nor, Both…and, Not only…but also, Whether…or, As…as, Such…that
2. What are the 12 subordinating conjunctions?
- Because, Although, Since, If, Unless, While, After, Before, When, Until, Though, Whereas
3. What are the 7 main conjunctions with examples? (Coordinating Conjunctions – FANBOYS)
- For (He left early, for he was tired.)
- And (She likes tea and coffee.)
- Nor (He can’t swim, nor can he dive.)
- But (I wanted to go, but I was sick.)
- Or (You can have coffee or tea.)
- Yet (She is young, yet very wise.)
- So (It was raining, so we stayed inside.)
4. What are 10 examples of subordinating conjunctions with sentences?
Until – Stay here until I return.
Because – I stayed home because I was sick.
Although – Although it was late, he kept working.
Since – We have been friends since childhood.
If – If you study, you will pass.
Unless – You won’t succeed unless you try.
While – She was cooking while he was reading.
After – We went out after it stopped raining.
Before – Call me before you leave.
When – I was happy when I saw my results.
