Conjunctions: -

They are used to express relationships between things in a sentence,

link different clauses together, and to combine sentences. There are
four main types of conjunctions –
1. Coordinating conjunctions
2. Subordinating conjunctions
3. Correlative conjunctions
4. Conjunctive adverbs

1. Coordinating Conjunctions: - FANBOYS

They are used to join two or more words, phrases, or independent
clauses. The two elements being joined must be grammatically equal
or similar in both importance and structure. There are seven
coordinating conjunctions in English – FANBOYS
When CC are used to join words or phrases that are not independent
clauses, we don’t use a comma.
For
For is used to give a reason for something. It can normally only join
two independent clauses, introducing the second clause as the
reason for the first one.
For = because
Ex: He didn’t come to the party, for he felt sick.
And
And is used to add one element to another. It can join words,
phrases, and entire independent clauses.
Ex: James and Jack are coming to the party.
Ex: He ran, swam, and played with the other children.
Ex: The family moved into the new house, and the neighbours
welcomed them warmly.
Nor
It is used to present an additional negative idea when a negative idea
has already been stated.
Please note that negative inversion must be used in the second
clause while using nor.
Ex: He doesn’t like football, nor does he enjoy hockey.
Ex: I have never seen that movie, nor do I want to see it.
Some other use of ‘nor’
Ex: I haven’t seen nor heard from Mike in days.
But
But is used to present a contrast with previous information. It can be
used to join an independent clause to a phrase, or another
independent clause.
Ex: He was upset but didn’t cry.
Ex: I’d love to travel more, but I just don’t have the time.
Or
Or is used to present alternative choices or options.
Ex: Would you like the chicken, the pork, or the beef?
Ex: We can go to the movies tonight, or we can just hang out at
home.
Yet
It is used to present contrast and sometimes implications of surprise.
Ex: The movie was depressing yet uplifting at the same time.
Ex: It’s poured rain all day, yet they haven’t cancelled the football
game.
So
It is used when the second clause is a result of the first.
Ex: He was exhausted, so he went to bed early.
Ex: She was the most qualified candidate, so we gave her the job.

CC used for connecting: -

Individual words – Ex: I like to run and swim.
Phrases – Ex: The president has been praised for both his willingness
to negotiate and his strength in defending his principles.
Independent clauses – Ex: It was raining, so I took an umbrella.

Subordinating conjunctions: - SC connect a subordinate clause to an

independent clause.
Ex: Although it was raining, I didn’t take an umbrella.
Ex: I went to work in spite of being sick.
Correlative Conjunctions: - These are pairs of conjunctions that work
together to indicate the relationship between two elements in a
sentence. These are sets of conjunctions that are always used
together. They join words, phrases, or independent clauses of similar
or equal importance and structure. When we use correlative
conjunctions, it is important to use parallel structure, especially in
formal writing.
Some of the most common correlative conjunctions are –
Both….and …..., either….or….., just as….so….., neither….nor…, not
only….but also….., whether….or…..
Both…and
It joins words or phrases, not clauses.
Ex: This house is both large and cozy.
Ex: She both cleaned her room and washed the dishes.
Either….or
It is used to present two options.
Ex: Either your father will pick you up, or you’ll get a ride home with
a friend.
Neither…nor
It is used to negate two options.
Ex: I have neither the time nor the patience for silly TV programs.
When neither and nor begin two independent clauses, we must use
negative inversion for each.
Ex: Neither does he understand, nor does he care.
Ex: Sports are a great way to bring people together, whether you like
to play or just watch.
Not only….but also
It is used to emphasize an additional element in the sentence.
Ex: This house is not only large but also cozy.
Ex: She not only cleaned her room, but also washed the dishes.
Ex: Not only is she an award-winning singer, but she also runs track.
Just as ….so
It is used to indicate that the two elements being joined are similar.
In formal writing, the clause after so should be inverted.
Ex: Just as I love films, so does my brother love sports.
Ex: Just as Americans love baseball, so do Europeans love soccer.
However, it is also common, especially in informal writing and
speech, for this structure to occur without inversion.
Ex: Just as I love films, so my brother loves sports.
Whether….or
It is used to express doubt between two possible options.
Ex: I don’t know whether the white paint or the green paint is better.
Ex: He is not sure whether he will be able to attend the game or not.
Ex: Whether we stay home and eat a pizza, or we go out and watch a
film, I am sure we’ll have a good time.

Subject Verb agreement rules in Correlative conjunction: -

When we join two singular subjects using a correlative conjunction,
the verb that follows should be singular.
Ex: Not only Mike but also Daniel is coming with us.
Exception: both….and, In this case, we use a plural subject.
Ex: Both Mike and Daniel are coming with us.
When we join two plural subjects, the verb that follows should also
be plural.
Ex: Neither the plumbers nor the electricians are here yet.
When we join one singular and one plural subject, the verb should
agree with the noun that is closest to it.
Ex: Neither my cousins nor my mom likes swimming.
Same is the case for pronoun agreement.
Ex: Neither Mike nor his friends stated their opinion.
Ex: Neither Mike’s friends nor Mike stated his opinion.

Subordinating Conjunctions: -
They are used to create complex sentences containing one
independent clause, or main clause, and one dependent, or
subordinate clause. SC does two things –
i) It introduces and subordinates the dependent clause.
ii) It explains what relationship it has to the independent
clause.
Ex: I went to the supermarket. We were out of milk.
Ex: I went to the supermarket since we were out of milk.
When we begin a sentence with a subordinate conjunction, we
normally do need to use a comma, whereas when we place the
conjunction in the middle of the sentence, we normally don’t need a
comma.
Ex: Since we were out of milk, I went to the supermarket.
Functions of Subordinating conjunctions: -

Cause: -
We use to state the cause of something.
Ex: The project was successful as/because/since you all worked very
hard.
Comparison and concession: -
Similarities – we can use as to state that two ideas are similar.
Ex: He is not as good at cricket as is his brother.

Expressing contrasts and concessions: -

While and whereas both express contrast.
Ex: My brother worked really hard, while I didn’t make much of an
effort.
Ex: I can’t stand watching tennis, whereas I love watching basketball.
We use although, though, and even though to say that something
occurred in spite of something else. Though and although are
interchangeable, and even though adds extra emphasis.
Ex: I went to that restaurant though/although I was told it was not
very good.
Condition: -
We use even if, if, as long as, in case, provided that, providing when
referring to a hypothetical situation.
If
If is used when one action is required for another to occur.
Ex: You should buy a new TV if you get a bigger apartment.
As long as, provided, provided that, and providing all mean the same
as if, but they emphasize the requirement of the conditional action.
We can use them interchangeably.
Ex: I will buy you a pizza as long as/provided you help me move my
furniture.
Even if
We use even if when an outcome will occur despite a hypothetical
action.
Ex: He is going to pass his test even if he doesn’t study.
In case
We use in case to suggest a precaution against a hypothetical
possibility.
Ex: I am bringing an umbrella in case it starts raining.
Place: -
When the dependent clause is related to a place, we use where and
wherever, but they are not interchangeable.
Ex: He lives where it’s always sunny.
Ex: I want to go wherever it is quieter.
Reason: -
We use in order that, so that and so to give a reason. They are
interchangeable and differ in formality.
Ex: Our boss asked us to take detailed notes so that nothing would
be forgotten.
Time: -
Previously – to state that the action of the independent clause
occurred first, we use before.
Ex: He won first prize in a spelling bee before starting fifth grade. (He
won the prize first.)
Concurrently: - when two actions occur at the same time. We use
when, once, as soon as
Ex: I was sleeping when the phone rang.
Ex: Please clean your room once you get home.
Subsequently: - when an action of the independent clause happens
second in a series of actions, we use after.
Ex: He won first prize in a spelling bee after he started fifth grade.
Up to a certain time: - to state that one action stops when another
begins, we use until.
Ex: You can keep my jacket until I need it.
Any time or every time: - we use whenever to state that the time
doesn’t matter.
Ex: She cries whenever she sees a sad movie.
Articles
Article identify whether a noun is definite (specific or particular) or
indefinite (general or unspecific). It is divided into two categories:
the definite article, the, and the indefinite articles, a and an.
The
It is used to identify a specific person, place, or thing.
Ex: I am looking forward to the game. (There is a specific game that
the speaker is looking forward to.)
We can also use the to refer to plural nouns, when they are being
referenced specifically.
Ex: She is looking for the papers she printed last night.
A/An
A and an, on the other hand are used to identify a person or thing
that is unspecific or generic – the speaker is not referring to someone
or something in particular, or the person or thing may not be
specifically known to the speaker.
A/An can only be used before singular nouns.
Ex: I am looking for a pen. (There is not a specific pen that the
speaker is looking for.)
Ex: There is an angry student waiting to speak with you. (Although
there is a particular student, he or she is unknown to the speaker.)
Articles always modify nouns. However, an article can also precede a
noun phrase, even if it begins with an adjective or an adverb.
Ex: That was an exciting night.
Ex: The truly remarkable thing is how long the deal took to happen.
Vowel sounds vs Consonant sounds –
A unique, an honour, an hour, an honest man, a university, a
European citizen,
The indefinite article a/an cannot be used with uncountable nouns
(these are nouns that cannot be divided or counted as individual
elements or separate parts. They can be tangible objects –such as
substances or collective categories of things, or intangible or abstract
things such as concepts or ideas.)
Ex: Do you have some information?
Uncountable nouns can sometimes take the definite articles the, as
in – when a specific uncountable noun is being described.
Ex: I am looking for the accommodation listed in this advertisement