Conjunctions in English – Shortcut Rules
Rule 1 : The co-relative conjunctions are used in pairs.
Not only – but also, Either – or Neither – nor, Both – and, Though – yet, Whether – or. Please see that the pair is properly used.
They will either do the work else return the money. ☓
They will either do the work or return the money.✔
Both kumar as well as Ravi must finish it. ☓
Both kumar and Ravi must finish it.✔ Not only does he read but also writes.✔
Though he is rich but he is economical. ☓
Though he is rich yet he is economical.✔
Rule 2 : After the adverbs “Hardly / Scarcely”, the conjunction ‘when or before’ should be used.
Hardly had he left the place than the Bomb exploded. ☓
Hardly had he left the place when the Bomb exploded.✔
Rule 3 : After ‘Rather / Other, the subordinating conjunction ‘Than should be used.
He has no other object but to get a handsome job. ☓
He has no other object than to get a handsome job.✔
I would rather buy a scooter but not a cycle. ☓
I would rather buy a scooter than a cycle.✔
Rule 4 : After the subordinating conjunction ‘lest’ the auxiliary ‘should’ is used. Lest – for fear that / If it is not so.
Work hard lest you fail. ☓
Work hard lest you should fail.✔
Rule 5 : The connecting word ‘that’ is used with the adjective phrase ‘the same/the only/superlative adjectives/all
This is the same book which I wanted. ☓
This is the same book that I wanted.✔
Rule 6 : The conjunction ‘or’ is used with not / never.
I have never spoken to him nor written to him. ☓
I have never spoken to him or written to him.✔
Rule 7 : With the word ‘such’ the connective ‘that’ may be used.
There was such a noise what we could not hear ourselves. ☓
There was such a noise that we could not hear ourselves.✔
Rule 8 : > Until – Denotes Time > Unless – Denotes Condition
You will not succeed until you work hard. ☓
You will not succeed unless you work hard.✔
I want to stay here unless she speaks the truth. ☓
I want to stay here until she speaks the truth.✔
You cannot do well until you prepare yourself. ☓
You cannot do well unless you prepare yourself.✔
Rule 9 : After the connective ‘because’ the words ‘ so / therefore / as’ are not used.
Because he came late so he failed to see her. ☓
Because he came late, he fail to see her.✔
Rule 10 : The adverb ‘Not’ should not be used with the connective ‘Till/unless/lest/until’ in that clause.
Until he does not solve this problem, I will stay with him. ☓
Until he solves this problem, I will stay with him.✔
Unless they do not work sincere, they will not succeed. ☓
Unless they work sincerely, they will not succeed.✔
Rule 11 : When ‘since’ is used as a conjunction should be preceded by present perfect tense and followed by a verb in the past tense to denote point of time.
Many things have happened since I have left the school. ☓
Many things have happened since I left the school.✔
Rule 12 : With the conjunction ‘if’ ‘then’ should not be used.
If you work for 8 hours a day, then you will get through the examination. ☓
If you work for 8 hours a day, you will get through the examination.✔
Rule 13 : When two objects are joined by ‘as well/besides/along with /together with / in addition to / except / including with, the verb agrees with the first subject in number.
He as well as his students have gone there. ☓
He as well as his students has gone there.✔