Conjunctions are words like as, since, because, when, before, and, but, though and if. They are used to connect two or more words, phrases or clauses.
Test your understanding of conjunctions with this grammar exercise.
1. I was ill .......................... I didn't go to work.
The conjunction 'so' shows the result whereas the conjunctions as and because show the cause.
2. You should get your license renewed at once ................... pay a fine.
The conjunction 'or' is used to present alternatives.
3. .......................... there is no demand for this type of book, I cannot place an order.
The conjunctions as and since are used to give the reason.
4. My grandfather has never flown in an airplane; .......................... does he want to fly in one.
Neither and nor can mean 'also not'. They can come at the beginning of a clause and are followed by an inverted word order.
5. I am very tired ................................ I have been working all day.
6. She not only gave us a fine dinner ......................... drove us back home.
The correct expression is not only / but also.
7. Cold ............................. it was, we went out.
After an adjective or adverb, as and though can be used to mean 'although'. Note that although is not possible in this structure.
8. I am not angry. ............................. anything I feel a little surprised.
If can be used before non-assertive words like any, anything, ever and not.
9. The Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site ....................... hosts two-thirds of the one-horned rhinoceros in the world.
'That' is a relative pronoun but it is also possible here.
10. August 31st is a national holiday ............................ everybody dances in the streets.
When indicates time; where indicates place. That cannot be used instead of when or where.
11. Strange ............................ it may sound, I don't like watching cricket.
After an adjective or an adverb, as and though can be used in a special structure.
12. We will get there ................................... you do.
Answers
1. I was ill so I didn’t go to work.
2. You should get your license renewed at once or pay a fine.
3. As / Since there is no demand for this type of book, I cannot place an order.
4. My grandfather has never flown in an airplane; neither / nor does he want to fly in one.
5. I am very tired because I have been working all day.
6. She not only gave us a fine dinner but also drove us back home.
7. Cold though it was, we went out.
8. I am not angry. If anything I feel a little surprised.
9. The Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site and / that hosts two-thirds of the one-horned rhinoceros in the world.
10. August 31st is a national holiday when everybody dances in the streets.
11. Strange as / though it may sound, I don’t like watching cricket.
12. We will get there as soon as you do.
