Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses. Examples are: as, since, because, for, though, until, if, whether and where.
Test your understanding of conjunctions with this interactive exercise.
1. I didn't go to the party .................... I was feeling a bit tired.
The conjunction because indicates the reason for something.
2. Do you know the reason ...................... she is angry with me?
After reason we use that or why. Because is not used after why.
3. She had ...................... many children that she didn't know what to do.
So...that is a conjunction. Too and very cannot be followed by that-clauses.
4. We send them weekly reports ........................... they may have all the information they need.
The conjunctions so that and in order that are used to talk about purpose. So that is more common in an informal style.
5. Send the parcel express ...................... they get it before Monday.
We use so that to indicate purpose.
6. Do you know a shop ................. they sell used cameras?
7. You may borrow my car ........................ you drive carefully.
All of these conjunctions are used to state conditions.
8. ........................ we go by bus or train, it will take at least 3 hours.
We can use whether ... or as a double conjunction. Its meaning is similar to 'it doesn't matter whether...or'.
9. Why is he looking at me ......................... he knew me?
The conjunctions as if and as though mean the same.
10. ..................... some people insist that smoking should be banned, others disagree with that view.
We use while to connect two contrasting ideas.
11. I am going out ....................... I have brushed my hair.
We use as soon as to suggest the idea that one event happens immediately after another.
12. No sooner had I closed my eyes, ................... the telephone rang.
Sooner is a comparative word. It is followed by than.
Answers
1. I didn’t go to the party because I was feeling a bit tired.
2. Do you know the reason why / that she is angry with me?
3. She had so many children that she didn’t know what to do.
4. We send them weekly reports so that / in order that they may have all the information they need.
5. Send the parcel express so that they get it before Monday.
6. Do you know a shop where they sell used cameras?
7. You may borrow my car as long as / so long as / provided that you drive carefully.
8. Whether we go by bus or train, it will take at least 3 hours.
9. Why is he looking at me as if / as though he knew me?
10. While some people insist that smoking should be banned, others disagree with that view.
11. I am going out as soon as I have brushed my hair.
12. No sooner had I closed my eyes, than the telephone rang.
