Grammar: Connectives(Conjunctions)

Grammar: Connectives

Two simple sentences can be formed into a compound sentence with the use of a connective. A connective denotes reason, time purpose or result.

Ø  because, as or since are used to connect reason and its effect.
These connectives come in the beginning of a clause. Of these ‘because’ is more common. Normally ‘since’ is used for a negative reason:
He was angry. No one spoke to him. - He was angry because no one spoke to him.
You didn't write to me. I didn't write. - Since you didn't write to me, I didn't write to you.
She lit a fire, it was cold. - She lit a fire as it was cold.

Ø  because, because of
‘because’ is used to begin a clause of reason but ‘because of’ is used before a noun group:
He could not go to school because he was ill. - He could not go to school because of his illness.
He was able to lift the heavy load because he was very strong. - He was able to lift the heavy load because of his great strength.

Ø  to, in order to
To denote purpose, ‘to’ or ‘in order to’ is used before a verb. Normally ‘to’ (which is more usual) is used to show purpose. However, in formal writing and speech, we use ‘in order to’:
Rita went to the tap to fill the pitcher.
Raju went to the village in order to see his grandfather.

‘to’ is thus used to link an action and its purpose; and ‘in order to’ is sometimes used in formal speech and writing.
He left home early. Be at the market by six.
He left home early to be at the market by six.
He left home early in order to be at the market by six.

Ø  so that

When a clause in a compound sentence denotes purpose, it is introduced by ‘so that’.
She got up early (action). She could go to the temple (purpose).-  She got up early so that she could go to the temple.

Ø  although or even though
For an unexpected result of a situation, we begin a clause with although or even though:
She was very clever (situation). She failed the exam (unexpected result).
Although she was very clever, she failed the exam.
Even though she was very clever, she failed the exam.

When the situation is considered more important, we put the unexpected result in the beginning of the second clause:
She failed the exam although/even though she was very clever.

Ø  in spite of
in spite of can be used to denote situation and unexpected result, but it always comes with a noun group, not with a clause; that is to say, the situation is denoted by the noun:
She studied hard (situation). She failed the exam (unexpected result).
In spite of her hard labour, she failed the exam.

Ø  therefore, however
‘therefore’ comes in the beginning of a clause to denote the result in an opposite sense of ‘because’ when the result of the first sentence is the second sentence:
I was unwell. I did not go to school. - I was unwell, therefore, I did not go to school.
‘however’ can be used to denote that the second sentence gives information you consider contrary in some way to that in the first:
Travelling by bus is cheap. It is not very comfortable. - Travelling by bus is cheap; however, it is not very comfortable. 

Ø  whether... or
Two if-clauses containing in two different compound sentences can be joined by ‘whether…or’ when the causes of the if-clauses are different but the effect is the same:
cause- If it rains, effect- I shall go to school.

Whether it rains or not, I shall go to school.

Ø  if not unless
In place of ‘if not’, we can use unless:
If you don't use your English, it will not improve.
Unless you use your English, it will not improve.
You will not get success if you do not work hard.
You will not get success unless you work hard.

Ø  Connectives in pairs
Certain connectives connect two sentences or two parts of sentences. They come in pair. They are:
neither ..... not,  not only .... but also,  either…. or
Note that the same part of speech comes after and before these pairs:
Either go or stay.

Bring either a book or a pen.
He visited not only Lumbini, but also Pashupati.
He not only visited Lumbini, but also worshipped it.

Ø  Time Connectives
Time connectives, used to link two clauses or two parts of a sentence, are before (which comes with a clause denoting second action), after (which comes with a clause denoting first action), when, while (which comes with a continuous tense), until, as long as and as soon as, etc.
She came before it was dark.
After the class was over, he went home.
While she was dancing, her necklace fell off.
He entered the class as soon as the bell rang.
Two sentences can be linked with the connectives denoting time:
I met my friend. He was pleased to see me.