Conjunctions and Connectors
~9 min read
- Three types: Coordinating (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), Subordinating (because, although, when, if, since, unless), Correlative (either-or, neither-nor, not only-but also, both-and).
- Pairing: Correlative conjunctions must be followed by parallel structures - 'not only' verb / 'but also' verb.
- Connectors: Discourse markers - however, therefore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless, furthermore - that link sentences in writing.
Conjunctions are tested in CDS Sentence Improvement and Cloze passages. The CDS examiner especially loves the 'no sooner... than', 'hardly... when', 'scarcely... when', 'as soon as' family and the 'lest... should' construction.
Three Types of Conjunctions
| Type | Examples | What they join |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating | for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS) | Two equal elements |
| Subordinating | because, although, since, unless, until, when, while, if, though, before, after, as, that | Subordinate clause to main clause |
| Correlative | either-or, neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, whether-or, no sooner-than, scarcely-when, hardly-when | Two parallel elements |
Correlative Pairs - The CDS Favourites
| Pair | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| either...or | X or Y | Either you or he is wrong. |
| neither...nor | not X nor Y | Neither rain nor cold stopped us. (NOT neither...or) |
| not only...but also | parallel structure | He is not only a poet but also a singer. |
| both...and | X and Y | He is both clever and hard-working. |
| no sooner...than | + inversion in first clause | No sooner had he arrived than the bell rang. (NOT no sooner...when) |
| hardly/scarcely...when | + inversion | Hardly had he sat down when the phone rang. |
| as...as / so...as | positive comparison / negative | He is as tall as his brother. He is not so tall as his brother. |
| so/such...that | result clause | It was so hot that we couldn't go out. It was such a hot day that... |
| lest...should | 'should' is mandatory | Walk fast lest you should miss the bus. (NOT 'lest you don't miss') |
Subordinating Conjunctions
| Function | Conjunctions |
|---|---|
| Cause/reason | because, since, as, for, now that, seeing that |
| Time | when, while, before, after, as soon as, until, till, since |
| Condition | if, unless, provided, in case, supposing |
| Contrast/concession | although, though, even though, even if, while, whereas |
| Purpose | so that, in order that, lest |
| Result | so...that, such...that |
| Comparison | as, than, as if, as though |
Common error - double conjunction:
- Wrong: Although he is rich, but he is unhappy.
- Correct: Although he is rich, he is unhappy. OR He is rich, but he is unhappy.
- Wrong: Because he was tired, so he went home.
- Correct: Because he was tired, he went home.
Discourse Connectors
| Function | Connectors |
|---|---|
| Addition | moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, also |
| Contrast | however, nevertheless, on the other hand, conversely, on the contrary, yet |
| Cause/Effect | therefore, hence, thus, consequently, accordingly, as a result |
| Example | for example, for instance, namely, that is, to illustrate |
| Sequence | first, next, then, finally, meanwhile, subsequently |
| Summary | in conclusion, to summarise, in short, in brief |
| Emphasis | indeed, in fact, certainly, undoubtedly |
Common CDS Errors
- Wrong: Either he or his friends is coming. Correct: Either he or his friends are coming. (verb agrees with nearer)
- Wrong: No sooner he reached when the train left. Correct: No sooner had he reached than the train left.
- Wrong: Hardly I had sat down than the phone rang. Correct: Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang.
- Wrong: Scarcely he had arrived than it started raining. Correct: Scarcely had he arrived when it started raining.
- Wrong: He is so weak to walk. Correct: He is too weak to walk. OR He is so weak that he cannot walk.
- Wrong: I shall not go unless he doesn't come. Correct: I shall not go unless he comes.
CDS/OTA PYQ Examples
Q: Identify the error: No sooner he appeared / on the stage than / the people began to cheer loudly. / No error
(a) No sooner he appeared (b) on the stage than (c) the people began to cheer loudly (d) No error
Answer: (a) After 'no sooner' invert the auxiliary: 'No sooner had he appeared'.
Q: Choose the correct option: ___ had I entered the room ___ the lights went out.
(a) No sooner, when (b) No sooner, than (c) Hardly, than (d) Scarcely, than
Answer: (b) No sooner... than. ('Hardly/scarcely... when'; 'no sooner... than'.)
Q: Improve: Although he is poor, but he is honest.
(a) Although he is poor, yet he is honest (b) Although he is poor, he is honest (c) Though he is poor, but still he is honest (d) No improvement
Answer: (b) Don't double up 'although...but'. Either use 'although' alone or 'but' alone.
Q: Identify the error: Walk fast / lest you don't / miss the train. / No error
(a) Walk fast (b) lest you don't (c) miss the train (d) No error
Answer: (b) 'Lest' already means 'in case... not'. Use 'should' after it without 'don't': 'lest you should miss'.
Q: Choose the correct option: Neither the captain ___ the players ___ aware of the rules.
(a) or, was (b) nor, was (c) nor, were (d) and, were
Answer: (c) nor, were — 'neither...nor' pair; verb agrees with nearer (players, plural).
Q: Improve: He is so weak to lift the box.
(a) so weak that he cannot lift (b) too weak that he cannot lift (c) very weak to lift (d) No improvement
Answer: (a) Either 'too weak to lift' or 'so weak that he cannot lift'. Don't mix 'so' with infinitive.
Drill Conjunctions and Connectors for CDS/OTA
CDS/OTA-pattern items on Conjunctions and Connectors with answer keys and explanations.
Start Free Mock TestFrequently Asked Questions
Why is 'although...but' wrong?
Each is a complete subordinator/coordinator on its own. Using both creates redundancy. English allows only one connective between two ideas; pick 'although' OR 'but', not both.
What's the difference between 'when' and 'while'?
'When' = at the moment of (point in time); 'while' = during the period of (length of time). 'I was reading when he came in' (point). 'I was reading while he was watching TV' (parallel processes).
How to remember 'no sooner... than'?
'No sooner' compares two events by time (one followed the other immediately) - 'than' goes with comparisons. 'Hardly/scarcely' describe how barely the first happened - 'when' fixes the time of the second.
Is 'because of' the same as 'due to'?
Traditionally: 'due to' is adjectival (follows a noun: 'his absence was due to illness'); 'because of' / 'owing to' are adverbial (modify a verb: 'he was absent because of illness'). In modern usage CDS accepts both.
Why does 'lest' need 'should'?
'Lest' already carries negative meaning ('in case... not / for fear that'). It traditionally takes 'should + verb' or the bare subjunctive: 'lest he should fail' / 'lest he fail'. Don't add 'not'.