Conjunction for Class 8

What are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are words that connect or join words, phrases or clauses in a sentence. They play a crucial role in creating smooth and coherent sentences by establishing relationships between different elements.

Types of Conjunctions

There are three main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions and correlative conjunctions.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect words, phrases or independent clauses that are of equal grammatical importance.

Examples:

→ Not only did she complete the project on time, but also she exceeded all expectations.
→ He is both a talented musician and an exceptional athlete.
→ The team worked diligently yet failed to achieve the desired results.
→ Either you submit the report by tomorrow, or we will have to take disciplinary action.
→ She is not just intelligent, but she is also incredibly creative.
→ Neither the rain nor the thunderstorm could stop the determined hikers.
→ We can either go to the beach for a relaxing day or visit the museum for a cultural experience.
→ He not only solved the complex math problem but also explained the solution to his classmates.
→ The novel is both intriguing and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for literature enthusiasts.
→ They practised for hours, yet their performance fell short of expectations during the competition.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and establish a relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Examples:

→ Although I studied diligently, I couldn't understand the complex math problem.
→ Because it was raining heavily, the outdoor event was postponed.
→ Since she had already eaten dinner, Mary wasn't hungry when she arrived at the party.
→ Unless you finish your homework, you won't be allowed to watch TV.
→ Even though they were exhausted, the hikers continued trekking up the mountain.
→ As soon as the sun sets, the nocturnal animals become active.
→ Provided that you finish your chores, you can go out with your friends.
→ In case you forget, I'll remind you about the meeting tomorrow.
→ Whenever he hears thunder, the dog hides under the bed.
→ Wherever you go, I will always support you.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

These conjunctions come in pairs and connect elements that are of equal grammatical importance within a sentence.

Examples:

→ Both the students and the teachers were excited about the upcoming science fair.
→ You can either finish your homework now or do it during the lunch break.
→ Neither the rain nor the thunderstorm deterred the determined hikers from reaching the mountain summit.
→ Not only did she complete the challenging puzzle, but she also set a new record for solving it.
→ The decision of whether to attend the conference or not depends on the importance of the topics being discussed.
→ She is as intelligent as she is hardworking, making her the top student in the class.
→ The movie was such a thriller that the audience remained on the edge of their seats until the very end.
→ No sooner did the chef finish preparing the special dish than the customers started ordering it.
→ Scarcely had the bell rung when the students rushed out of the classroom.
→ The more effort you put into your studies, the more successful you are likely to be in your academic endeavours.

Using Some Important Conjunctions

1. Lest: Sussan studied diligently every night, lest she fall behind in her challenging courses.

2. Until: Mary studied every day until she achieved mastery in all her subjects, proving persistence and hard work.

3. Unless: Unless you complete your homework diligently and submit it on time, you will not receive any extra credit points during this academic term.

4. Because: The soccer match was postponed because the relentless rain had transformed the field into a muddy quagmire.

5. Since: Since the weather was exceptionally clear, allowing a panoramic view of the cityscape, my family decided to have a picnic in the park.

6. For: Taylor decided to stay indoors, for the rain was pouring heavily, and she didn't want to get drenched while her favourite book awaited her on the cosy couch.