Parts of Speech • Grammar Courseware

CONJUNCTION

Courseware for Learners Aged 11 Years and Above

Learn how conjunctions join words, phrases and clauses to make sentences clear and connected.

Conjunction = இணைப்புச்சொல்

🎯 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Explain what a conjunction is and identify it in a sentence.
Join words, phrases and clauses using suitable conjunctions.
Distinguish between coordinating, subordinating and correlative conjunctions.
Use common conjunctions such as and, but, or, so, because, although, if, when, while, unless correctly.
Understand how conjunctions show addition, contrast, choice, reason, result, condition and time.
Use paired conjunctions such as either…or and neither…nor accurately.
Avoid common errors such as incomplete pairs, comma splices and double conjunctions.

தமிழ் உதவி: Conjunction (இணைப்புச்சொல்) என்பது சொற்கள், சொற்றொடர்கள் அல்லது வாக்கியப் பகுதிகளை ஒன்றுடன் ஒன்று இணைக்கும் சொல்.

🗺️ Course Roadmap

1–3

Introduction • Coordinating Conjunctions • FANBOYS

4–6

Subordinating Conjunctions • Time • Reason & Contrast

7–9

Condition • Correlative Pairs • Sentence Joining

10–12

Common Errors • Punctuation • Exam Skills

Practice

Identification • Fill in the blanks • MCQs

Mastery

Editing • Revision • Final Challenge

📘 Lesson 1 – Introduction to Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases or clauses.

Ravi and Arun are friends.

Priya likes tea but Meena likes coffee.

Karthik stayed home because he was ill.

You can choose tea or juice.

Think of a conjunction as a bridge: it connects parts of language and shows the relationship between them.

தமிழில்: and = மற்றும், but = ஆனால், or = அல்லது, because = ஏனெனில் / காரணமாக. Conjunction-கள் கருத்துகளை இணைக்க உதவுகின்றன.

📘 Lesson 2 – Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases or clauses of equal grammatical importance.

FANBOYS: For • And • Nor • But • Or • Yet • So

Conjunction	Main idea	Example
and	addition	Ravi bought a pen and a notebook.
but	contrast	Priya is tired, but she continued studying.
or	choice	Would you like tea or coffee?
so	result	It was raining, so Arun stayed home.
yet	unexpected contrast	He is young, yet he is very responsible.
nor	negative alternative	She did not call, nor did she send a message.
for	reason/explanation	We stayed indoors, for it was raining heavily.

தமிழ் நினைவுக்குறிப்பு: FANBOYS-ஐ ஒரு mnemonic ஆக நினைவில் வைத்துக்கொள்ளலாம். இவை coordinating conjunctions-ன் முக்கியமான குழு.

📘 Lesson 3 – Using And, But, Or and So

AND – addition

Meena reads and writes well.

Rohan bought apples and bananas.

BUT – contrast

Arun is tired, but he is working.

The road was long, but the journey was enjoyable.

OR – choice

Take a bus or take a train.

Would you like idli or dosa?

SO – result

It was late, so Kavya went home.

Rahul studied hard, so he passed the test.

Meaning check: Before choosing a conjunction, decide whether the relationship is addition, contrast, choice or result.

📘 Lesson 4 – Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. It shows a relationship such as time, reason, condition or contrast.

Relationship	Common conjunctions	Example
Reason	because, since, as	Priya stayed home because she was unwell.
Time	when, while, before, after, until	Call me when you reach home.
Condition	if, unless	If you work hard, you will improve.
Contrast	although, though, even though	Although it rained, the match continued.
Purpose	so that	Meena spoke clearly so that everyone could understand.

தமிழ் உதவி: because = ஏனெனில்; when = எப்போது / போது; if = என்றால்; unless = இல்லையெனில்; although = என்றாலும்.

📘 Lesson 5 – Conjunctions of Time and Sequence

These conjunctions show when one event happens in relation to another.

Before Ravi left, he packed his bag.

After Priya finished her homework, she watched television.

When Arun arrived, the class began.

While Meena was reading, Karthik was drawing.

Wait until the teacher comes.

Notice: A time clause can come before or after the main clause. If it comes first, a comma is commonly used: “When the bell rang, the students entered.”

📘 Lesson 6 – Reason, Result and Contrast

Purpose	Conjunction	Example
Reason	because	Arun was absent because he was sick.
Reason	since	Since it was raining, we stayed indoors.
Contrast	although	Although he was nervous, Ravi spoke confidently.
Contrast	though	Though the task was difficult, Priya completed it.
Result	so	It was hot, so we drank water.

Common error: Avoid using although and but together in the same simple clause: “Although it rained, we played.” ✅ / “Although it rained, but we played.” ❌

📘 Lesson 7 – Condition: If, Unless and As Long As

If you practise, you will improve.

Unless you hurry, you will miss the bus.

You may play outside as long as you finish your homework.

Unless means approximately “if…not”.
Unless you hurry = If you do not hurry.

தமிழ்: if = என்றால்; unless = இல்லையெனில்; as long as = வரையிலும் / அந்த நிபந்தனையில்.

Grammar tip: In a normal first conditional, use a present form in the if-clause and will in the result clause: “If Ravi studies, he will pass.”

📘 Lesson 8 – Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.

Pair	Example
either…or	Either Ravi or Arun will lead the team.
neither…nor	Neither Priya nor Meena was late.
both…and	Both Karthik and Rahul enjoy cricket.
not only…but also	She is not only clever but also kind.
whether…or	I do not know whether Arun or Ravi will come.

Parallel structure: Keep the joined parts grammatically similar: “She likes both singing and dancing.”

📘 Lesson 9 – Joining Sentences

Conjunctions can combine short sentences into clearer, more connected sentences.

Ravi was tired. He continued studying.
Ravi was tired, but he continued studying.

Priya missed the bus. She woke up late.
Priya missed the bus because she woke up late.

Arun can take the bus. Arun can take the train.
Arun can take the bus or the train.

Meena worked hard. She passed the test.
Meena worked hard, so she passed the test.

Exam method: First identify the relationship between the two sentences. Then select the conjunction that expresses that relationship.

📘 Lesson 10 – Punctuation with Conjunctions

When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, a comma is often used before the conjunction.

The sky was dark, but the match continued.

Kavya studied hard, so she scored well.

Short sentences may not need a comma: “Ravi and Arun played cricket.” Here and joins two nouns, not two independent clauses.

Comma splice: “The bell rang, the students left.” ❌
Correct: “The bell rang, so the students left.” ✅

📘 Lesson 11 – Common Errors and Correct Usage

Incorrect	Correct	Why?
Although it rained, but we played.	Although it rained, we played.	Do not normally use although with but.
Because he was tired, so he slept.	Because he was tired, he slept.	Do not use because and so together in this structure.
Either Ravi and Arun will come.	Either Ravi or Arun will come.	Use the correct correlative pair.
Neither Priya or Meena came.	Neither Priya nor Meena came.	Use neither…nor.
She likes both singing and to dance.	She likes both singing and dancing.	Keep the structure parallel.
He was late, he missed the bus.	He was late, so he missed the bus.	Join independent clauses correctly.

📘 Lesson 12 – Exam Skills, Practice and Application

Practice A – Identify the Conjunction

Ravi and Arun are classmates.
Priya stayed home because it was raining.
You can choose tea or coffee.
Although Meena was tired, she completed the work.
Study well so that you can succeed.

Answers: 1. and 2. because 3. or 4. although 5. so that

Practice B – Choose the Correct Conjunction

1. Karthik was hungry, ___ he ate a sandwich. (so / but)
Answer: so

2. Meena studied hard ___ she wanted to improve. (because / or)
Answer: because

3. ___ it was raining, Ravi went to school. (Although / So)
Answer: Although

4. You can take either the bus ___ the train. (and / or)
Answer: or

5. Wait here ___ I return. (until / because)
Answer: until

Grammar Detective Challenge 🔎

Find and correct the conjunction error:

Because Ravi was ill, so he stayed home.
Neither Arun or Karthik was absent.
Although the road was busy, but Priya crossed it carefully.
Either Meena and Kavya will answer.
The bell rang, the students entered.

Suggested answers: 1. Because Ravi was ill, he stayed home. 2. Neither Arun nor Karthik was absent. 3. Although the road was busy, Priya crossed it carefully. 4. Either Meena or Kavya will answer. 5. The bell rang, so the students entered.

📝 MCQ Practice

1. Which word is a conjunction?
a) quickly b) beautiful c) and d) school
Answer: c) and

2. Which conjunction shows contrast?
a) and b) but c) or d) so
Answer: b) but

3. “Ravi stayed home because he was sick.” Because shows:
a) choice b) reason c) addition d) result
Answer: b) reason

4. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Although it rained, but we played. b) Although it rained, we played. c) Although but it rained, we played. d) Although it rained so we played.
Answer: b)

5. Complete: “Either Priya ___ Meena will lead the team.”
a) and b) nor c) or d) but
Answer: c) or

6. Which pair is correct?
a) neither…or b) either…nor c) both…and d) both…or
Answer: c) both…and

7. “If you study, you will improve.” If expresses:
a) condition b) addition c) contrast d) choice
Answer: a) condition

8. Which conjunction shows result?
a) so b) although c) because d) unless
Answer: a) so

9. Choose the correct sentence:
a) Neither Ravi or Arun came. b) Neither Ravi nor Arun came. c) Neither Ravi and Arun came. d) Neither Ravi but Arun came.
Answer: b)

10. “While Meena was reading, Karthik was drawing.” While shows:
a) reason b) time c) choice d) result
Answer: b) time

Self-check:

9–10 = Excellent mastery ⭐ | 7–8 = Very good 👍 | 5–6 = Keep practising 📘 | 0–4 = Review the lessons and try again 🔁

📌 One-Page Revision Chart

Type / purpose	Important conjunctions	Example
Addition	and	Ravi and Arun played.
Contrast	but, yet, although, though	It was hard, but she tried.
Choice	or	Tea or coffee?
Reason	because, since, as	He left because he was tired.
Result	so	It rained, so we stayed in.
Time	when, while, before, after, until	Call me when you arrive.
Condition	if, unless, as long as	If you practise, you improve.
Paired / correlative	either…or; neither…nor; both…and; not only…but also	Both Ravi and Arun came.