Common Mistakes In The Use Of Conjunctions
We use just one conjunction to connect two clauses.
Study the examples given below.
- Though she studied hard but she could not score good marks. (Incorrect)
Here we used two conjunctions (though, but) to connect these two clauses. We have to remove one of them. We can write:
- Though she studied hard, she could not score good marks. (Correct)
- She studied hard but she could not score good marks. (Correct)
More examples are given below.
- Though I started early but I could not reach office on time. (Incorrect)
- Though I started early, I could not reach office on time. (Correct)
- I stated early but I could not reach office on time. (Correct)
The conjunctions as, since and because show the reason. The conjunction so shows the effect. We can use only one of these conjunctions to connect two clauses.
Study the examples given below.
- As he has broken his leg, he cannot walk now.
- He cannot walk now because he has broken his leg.
- He has broken his leg, so he cannot walk now. (NOT As he has broken his leg so he cannot walk now)
- She didn’t apply before the deadline, so her application was rejected.
- As she didn’t apply before the deadline, her application was rejected.
- Because she didn’t apply before the deadline, her application was rejected. (NOT As she didn’t apply before the deadline, so her application was rejected.)
We need a conjunction to connect two clauses. If there is no conjunction, separate the clauses with a full stop or a semicolon.
- I said nothing. I was angry.
- I said nothing because I was angry. (NOT I said nothing. Because I was angry.)
However is not a conjunction. We cannot use it to connect two clauses. Put a full stop or a semicolon before however. Put a comma after however.
- He is not a great actor; however, he is quite popular.
- He is not a great actor. However, he is quite popular.
We can also express the same idea using the conjunctions though or although.
- Though / Although he is not a great actor, he is quite popular.
More examples are given below.
- We started early; however, we arrived late.
- Though we started early, we arrived late.
Conjunctions Worksheet
Rewrite the following sentences correctly.
1. Though I missed the train, however, I reached on time.
2. Because she is ill, so she cannot go to work.
3. As it is already late so we cannot start now.
4. Since you are my best friend so I will tell you everything.
5. Though he delivered a stupendous performance but he could not win the talent show.
6. Though he is below average in intelligence but he always gets good marks.
7. Though I invited her but she didn’t come.
Answers
1. Though I missed the train, I reached on time. / I missed the train but I reached on time.
2. Because she is ill, she cannot go to work. / She is ill so she cannot go to work.
3. As it is already late, we cannot start now. / It is already late, so we cannot start now.
4. Since you are my best friend, I will tell you everything. / You are my best friend so I will tell you everything.
5. Though he delivered a stupendous performance, he could not win the talent show. / He delivered a stupendous performance but he could not win the talent show.
6. Though he is below average in intelligence, he always gets good marks. / He is below average in intelligence, but he always gets good marks.
7. Though I invited her, she didn’t come. / I invited her but she didn’t come. / I invited her; however, she didn’t come.
