Conjunction for Class 8

What are Conjunctions?

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

Types of Conjunctions

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

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

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

Examples of coordinating conjunctions:

→ Not only did Shelly complete the project on time, but also she exceeded her boss's expectations.
→ Jack is a talented pianist and exceptional cricketer as well.
→ 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.
→ Scarlet 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.
→ James not only solved the complex problem but also explained the solution to his friends.
→ 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

This type of 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 of subordinating conjunctions:

→ Although I studied diligently, I couldn't understand the solution to the given question.
→ The outdoor event was postponed Because it was snowing heavily.
→ Maria wasn't hungry when she arrived at the party, since she had already eaten dinner.
→ Unless you finish your work, you won't be allowed to play outside.
→ The hikers continued trekking up the mountain, even though they were exhausted.
→ As soon as the Sun sets, the animals become attentive.
→ I am reminding you about the meeting tomorrow, in case you forget.
→ Whenever it hears thunder, Alice's puppy hides under the bed.
→ Wherever you go, I will always support you.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

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

Examples of correlative conjunctions:

→ Both James and Alice are excited about the upcoming science exhibition in their school.
→ You can either finish your work now or do it during the break.
→ Not only did Mary complete the challenging quiz, 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 topic being discussed.
→ Colleen is as intelligent as she is hardworking in her entire 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 become in academics.

Click Here to Read About: Conjunctions for Class 9

Using Some Important Conjunctions

1. Lest: Sussan studied diligently every night, lest she fall behind in her class.
2. Until: Mary studied every day until she achieved a 100% score.
3. Unless:  You will not receive any extra credit points during this academic term unless you complete your assignment and submit it by tomorrow.
4. Because: The soccer match was postponed because the rain had transformed the field into a muddy platform.
5. Since: Atlas's family decided to have a picnic in the park since the weather was exceptionally clear today.
6. For: Taylor decided to stay indoors, for the rain was pouring heavily, and she didn't want to get wet while her favourite novel awaited her on the cosy couch.

FAQs

1. What are the difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions?

Answer: Coordinating conjunctions connect equal elements whereas subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate (dependent) clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences.

2. Explain correlative conjunctions.

Answer: Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that work together to connect elements in a sentence. Examples include either/or, neither/nor, both/and, etc.

3. Can a sentence start with a conjunction?

Answer: Yes, sometimes it's possible to begin a sentence with a conjunction for stylistic purposes. For instance, Although, I was feeling unwell still attended the meeting.