Coordinating Conjunction

Definition with Examples

Coordinating Conjunctions are the words used to join two phrases, words, sentences or clauses having grammatical equivalence. There are seven most commonly used Coordinating conjunctions – for, nor, and, yet, so, but, or. You could easily remember them using the acronym- FAB-SONY (F-for, A-and, B-but, S-so, O-or, N-nor, Y-yet). Consider the following sentence-

• Ram was in the party and Vikas was also in the party.
• Cake is for the children.
• We tried hard, but couldn’t reach on time.
• It was raining so we dropped our plans.
• He plays volley ball or reads books.
• I usually don’t drink milk, nor do I like tea.
• It is a nice book yet difficult to understand.

Sometimes the coordinating conjunctions may be used to make the sentence compact. For example the first sentence in the examples can be written as-

• Ram and Vikas were in the party.

Coordinating Conjunctions can be further classified into the following types-

1. Adversative Conjunction

An Adversative conjunction is used to indicate opposition or contrast between the two statements. Some common examples are still, but, only, yet etc.

For example consider the following sentences-

• We reached on time, still he didn’t turn up.
• You can leave early but complete all your work.
• You will get the recognition only when you deserve it.
• We are the fastest growing economy yet struggling with poverty.
• You do the dishes while I look after the guests.

List/Examples/Words

But, yet, whereas, nevertheless, while, still, only, however, although, albeit etc.

MCQ Exercises with Answers

Complete the following sentences using appropriate Adversative Conjunction from the choices given below them-

• He is recovering _______ still on bed rest.
  1. yet
  2. while
  3. but
• Please clean the room, ________ I get the groceries.
  1. still
  2. while
  3. only
• I will complete the job, _________ I am late.
  1. although
  2. however
  3. yet

• I love to visit new places, __________ my wife prefers to stay at home.
  1. still
  2. only
  3. whereas
• I like bread ________ with butter.
  1. still
  2. only
  3. albeit
• It was raining heavily; we went on for picnic ___________.
  1. nevertheless
  2. only
  3. whereas
• The children have completed their syllabus, __________ they were not ready to take the exams.
  1. whereas
  2. although
  3. however
• The food was nutritious ________ tasteless.
  1. albeit
  2. while
  3. although
• He is ________ to give his solo performance.
  1. here
  2. yet
  3. only
• Even he is responsible, ________ I will go check on him.
  1. still
  2. while
  3. albeit

Answers- 1)c, 2)b, 3)a, 4)c, 5)b, 6)a, 7)c, 8)a, 9)b, 10)a

2. Disjunctive or Alternative Conjunctions

Disjunctive or Alternative conjunction is a conjunction used to present two alternative choices and sometimes is used to indicate the preferred choice between them. Some examples of alternative conjunctions are – or, either…or, neither, nor, neither….. nor etc. Go through the below given sentences-

• You are coming with me or you are staying home.
• Either you are coming with me or you are staying home.
• There were two Indian contestants, neither made it to the finals.
• He didn’t attend the function, nor was he interested.
• Neither the food was good, nor did the chief guest came.

Simultaneously alternative Conjunctions in the sentences are- or, either…or, neither, nor, neither…..nor.

List/Examples/Words

Or, either….or, neither, nor, neither…nor, else, otherwise, other etc.

MCQ Exercises with Answers

Fill in the blanks in the given sentences by using appropriate Alternative Conjunctions from the choices given. Refer to the Answers provided below.

• _______ you are going to school, ________ you are studying at home.
  1. nor
  2. neither
  3. either, or
• Be on time _______ you will not be allowed inside.
  1. else
  2. or
  3. nor
• _______ he was in the office, _______ he reached home.
  1. other
  2. otherwise
  3. neither, nor
• I have two dogs, ______ of them is black.
  1. either
  2. neither
  3. other
• Listen carefully __________ get out of the class.
  1. either
  2. otherwise
  3. nor
• I wasn’t early _______ I was late.
  1. nor
  2. either
  3. or
• He will get the vegetables_______ he will go to the supermarket.
  1. nor
  2. either
  3. or

Answers- 1)c, 2)a, 3)c, 4)b, 5)b, 6)a, 7)c

3. Cumulative or Copulative Conjunctions: Examples

Cumulative or Copulative Conjunctions are used to simply join two statements. Some basic examples of cumulative conjunction are- and, both….and, as well as, not only….but also, also, moreover, no less, plus etc. For example consider the following sentences-

• Raj is in Delhi and Mohit is in Bombay.
• Both Mohit and Raj are out of town.
• He got the promotion as well as the money.
• He was not only young but also healthy.
• He was lean also he was poor.

The Copulative Conjunctions in the above sentences are- and, both….and, as well as, not only….but also, also.

MCQ Exercises with Answers

Complete the following sentences using the appropriate Cumulative Conjunctions from the choices given below.

• _______ State ______ Central Governments are responsible for protecting fundamental rights.
  1. and
  2. both, and
  3. as well as
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee ________ P.V. Narasimharao, are both former Prime Minister’s of India.
  1. and
  2. also
  3. moreover
• __________ he a good principal ________ a good teacher.
  1. moreover
  2. no less
  3. not only, but also
• A working woman has to do her job __________ cook the food for the family.
  1. no less
  2. as well as
  3. and
• Our college cricket team was _______ than the others.
  1. both….and
  2. as well as
  3. no less
• I was not interested ________ the train was late.
  1. moreover
  2. and also
  3. not only
• He is a good student _______ he listens attentively.
  1. not only
  2. also
  3. both….and
• He is intelligent ______ attentive too.
  1. not only
  2. no less
  3. plus

Answers- 1)b, 2)a, 3)c, 4)b, 5)c, 6)a, 7)b, 8)c

4. Illative Conjunction: Definition/Examples

Illative conjunctions are the conjunctions used to join two clauses or sentences and also to draw inference from the earlier sentence or clause. To better understand the Illative Conjunction, go through the examples sentences written below-

• He was there for the interview.
• Batsman was nervous so he missed the ball.
• First you go then I will follow you.
• It rained heavily that day, consequently the schools were closed.
• He came late hence was not allowed into the hall.

In the first sentence ‘for’ is an Illative conjunction joining two clauses- ‘He was there’ and ‘the interview’, as well as provide inference from the earlier sentence. Illative Conjunctions in the succeeding examples are- so, then, consequently, hence.

Examples/List/Words

So, for, hence, so, so that, therefore, thus, so then, consequently, as a consequence etc.

Exercises/MCQs with Answers

Complete the following sentences by choosing appropriate Illative conjunctions from the choices given below-

• I went to library __________ the book.
  1. hence
  2. so
  3. for
• You practiced well; _______ you performed well.
  1. therefore
  2. so that
  3. thus
• The teacher was happy ________ was the class.
  1. therefore
  2. so
  3. hence
• He behaved abnormally, __________ was asked to leave the room.
  1. consequently
  2. so that
  3. so then
• Water cannons were deployed ________ the protesters can be dispersed peacefully.
  1. therefore
  2. so
  3. so that
• He had fever _______ was late for the school.
  1. so that
  2. thus
  3. as a consequence
• You didn’t respond to my calls, ________ I came to check on you.
  1. so that
  2. hence
  3. for
• Rate of unemployment is decreasing __________ of the government policies.
  1. as
  2. hence
  3. as a consequence

Answers- 1)c, 2)a, 3)b, 4)a, 5)c, 6)b, 7)b, 8)c