Conjunctions in English – Shortcut Rules

Rule 1 : The co-relative conjunctions are used in pairs.

Not only – but also, Either – or Neither – nor, Both – and, Though – yet, Whether – or. Please see that the pair is properly used.

They will either do the work else return the money. ☓

They will either do the work or return the money.✔

Both kumar as well as Ravi must finish it. ☓

Both kumar and Ravi must finish it.✔ Not only does he read but also writes.✔

Though he is rich but he is economical. ☓

Though he is rich yet he is economical.✔

Rule 2 : After the adverbs \”Hardly / Scarcely\”, the conjunction \’when or before\’ should be used.

Hardly had he left the place than the Bomb exploded. ☓

Hardly had he left the place when the Bomb exploded.✔

Rule 3 : After \’Rather / Other, the subordinating conjunction \’Than should be used.

He has no other object but to get a handsome job. ☓

He has no other object than to get a handsome job.✔

I would rather buy a scooter but not a cycle. ☓

I would rather buy a scooter than a cycle.✔

Rule 4 : After the subordinating conjunction \’lest\’ the auxiliary \’should\’ is used. Lest – for fear that / If it is not so.

Work hard lest you fail. ☓

Work hard lest you should fail.✔

Rule 5 : The connecting word \’that\’ is used with the adjective phrase \’the same/the only/superlative adjectives/all

This is the same book which I wanted. ☓

This is the same book that I wanted.✔

Rule 6 : The conjunction \’or\’ is used with not / never.

I have never spoken to him nor written to him. ☓

I have never spoken to him or written to him.✔

Rule 7 : With the word \’such\’ the connective \’that\’ may be used.

There was such a noise what we could not hear ourselves. ☓

There was such a noise that we could not hear ourselves.✔

Rule 8 : > Until – Denotes Time > Unless – Denotes Condition

You will not succeed until you work hard. ☓

You will not succeed unless you work hard.✔

I want to stay here unless she speaks the truth. ☓

I want to stay here until she speaks the truth.✔

You cannot do well until you prepare yourself. ☓

You cannot do well unless you prepare yourself.✔

Rule 9 : After the connective \’because\’ the words \’ so / therefore / as\’ are not used. 

Because he came late so he failed to see her. ☓

Because he came late, he fail to see her.✔

Rule 10 : The adverb \’Not\’ should not be used with the connective \’Till/unless/lest/until\’ in that clause.

Until he does not solve this problem, I will stay with him. ☓

Until he solves this problem, I will stay with him.✔ 

Unless they do not work sincere, they will not succeed. ☓ 

Unless they work sincerely, they will not succeed.✔

Rule 11 : When \’since\’ is used as a conjunction should be preceded by present perfect tense and followed by a verb in the past tense to denote point of time.

Many things have happened since I have left the school. ☓

Many things have happened since I left the school.✔

Rule 12 : With the conjunction \’if\’ \’then\’ should not be used.

If you work for 8 hours a day, then you will get through the examination. ☓

If you work for 8 hours a day, you will get through the examination.✔

Rule 13 : When two objects are joined by \’as well/besides/along with /together with / in addition to / except / including with, the verb agrees with the first subject in number.

He as well as his students have gone there. ☓

 He as well as his students has gone there.✔