Spot the error in Conjunctions - Rules, examples and practice questions

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
The conjunction 'as soon as' is used to denote simultaneous actions i.e. two things/ actions taking place at the same time.

Formula:

	As soon as +	Subject +	1st Action +	Subject +	2nd Action
Present	As soon as	he	sees his mother	he	stops dancing.
Past	As soon as	he	saw his mother	he	stopped dancing.
Future	As soon as	he	will see his mother	he	will stop dancing.

Remove 'at once'.
The correct sentence should be: As soon as he got the letter, he started.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Remove 'then'.

'Than/then' is NOT used with 'as soon as','as long as','so long as'.

e.g. As soon as he came, the boy opened the door.

The correct sentence here should be: As soon as the watchman rings the bell, all the workers assemble in the hall.

ANSWER: 4

Explanation:
Replace 'when' with 'than'. 'No sooner' is always followed by 'than'.

'Than' cannot be replaced with 'when' or any other word.

The correct sentence should be: No sooner did the monkey see the tiger than it jumped.

No sooner….than is also a conjunction to denote simultaneous actions.

	No sooner +	Do/does/did +	Subject +	1st Action +	Than +	Subject +	2nd Action
Present	No sooner	does	he	see his mother	than	he	stops dancing.
Present	No sooner	do	I	see my mother	than	I	stop dancing.

It should also be noted that do/does/did or had must come immediately after 'No sooner'.

For e.g. No sooner he did see his brother than he stopped the car - is incorrect.

The correct sentence should be: No sooner did he see his brother than he stopped the car.

No sooner did the sun rise than we resumed the work.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
'No sooner' is always followed by 'than', and not 'then'. Note the difference between the spellings of the two words.

The correct sentence should be: No sooner did I reach the office than it started raining.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
'Hardly' is always followed by 'when'.
'When' cannot be replaced by any other word.

Formula

Hardly/Scarcely +	Had +	Subject +	1st Action +	When +	Subject +	2nd Action
Hardly	had	he	seen his mother	when	he	stopped dancing.
Scarcely	had	he	seen his uncle	when	he	ran away.

'Hardly/Scarcely...when' is used to denote simultaneous action.

The correct sentence should be: Hardly had she seen her aunt when she stopped fighting.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Hardly is followed by 'had' and 'third' form of verb. Proper way should be 'had we reached'.

You may refer to the formula table given in the question above.

The correct sentence should be: Hardly had we reached the platform when the train started.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
'Scarcely' is always followed by 'when'.

'When' cannot be replaced by 'than' or any other word.

The correct sentence should be: Scarcely had the nurse left after examining him when the patient died.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'while' with 'when'.

'Scarcely' is always followed by 'when'.

Formula:

Subject +	Had +	Hardly/scarcely +	1st action +	When +	Subject +	2nd action
She	had	scarcely	finished writing	when	she	fell asleep.

The correct sentence should be: She had scarcely finished writing when she fell asleep.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
'Hardly' itself conveys a negative sense. Use of 'had not' is not required in this case.

The correct sentence should be: That store hardly had any of the required products.

ANSWER: 4

Explanation:
'Either..or' is used to show a choice between two alternatives. It refers to one out of the two.

This conjunction is used in positive sense.

Formula 1: (one person - two qualities/actions - two alternatives - at least one positive)

Subject +	Verb/HV1 +	Either +	Q1/A1 +	Or +	Q2/A2 +
Annie	is	either	intelligent	or	hard-working.

Here, two qualities of Annie have been described which means she has one of the two given qualities i.e intelligence or hard work

Replace 'but' with 'or'.

In this sentence, two qualities of Annie have been described, it suggests that she is positively associated with one of them and not both.

The correct sentence should be: Annie is either intelligent or hard-working.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Formula 2: (Two persons - one quality/action - at least one does have that quality)

Either +	Subject 1 +	Or +	Subject 2 +	Verb/HV1 +	Q/A
Either	Amit	or	Kushal	has	done the work.

Here, action is one (done the work) and people are two (Amit and Kushal).
The work has been done by one of the two.
Replace 'and' with 'or'.

'Either..or' is used in pair.

The correct sentence should be: Either you or he will have to pay.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'else' with 'or'.

'Either...or' is used in pair. It is used in positive sense.

It means, 'one out of the two alternatives'.

The correct sentence should be: I will either go for a walk or play football.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
'Neither...nor' is the negative of 'Either..or'. It means, 'Not one or the other of the two'.

This conjunction is used in negative sense.

Formula 1: (One person – two qualities/actions – two alternatives – both not applicable)

Subject +	Verb/HV +	Neither +	Q1/A1 +	Nor +	Q2/A2
Mohan	is	neither	mad	nor	stupid.

Here, two qualities have been mentioned and the subject is concerned with neither of them.
Replace 'not' with 'nor'.

'Neither..nor' is used in pair.

The correct sentence should be: Samay is neither right nor wrong.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Formula 2:(Two persons - one quality/action - the quality or action doesn’t apply to any of the persons)

Neither +	Subject 1 +	Nor +	Subject 2 +	Verb/HV +	Q/A
Neither	Ajay	nor	Jay	has	painted the wall.

In the above sentence, it has been suggested that the act of painting the wall concerns neither Ajay nor Jay.

Replace 'and' with 'nor'.

In this case, Subjects are 'Mohit and Rohit'. The above sentence suggests that the act of breaking the wall piece concerns neither Mohit nor Rohit.

The correct sentence should be: Neither Mohit nor Rohit has broken the wall piece.

** Note that the helping verb here is always according to the second subject. Here, it is 'has'. It can not be replaced by 'have'.

ANSWER: 4

Explanation:
Formula:

Subject +	Do/Does +	Not +	Q1/A1 +	Nor +	Do/Does +	Subject +	Q2/A2
He	does	not	drink	nor	does	he	smoke.

In some cases, Neither can be substituted by 'Do/Does not'. In that case, both clauses must have 'do/does'.

Replace 'never' with 'nor'.

The correct sentence should be: I did not steal the oranges from your orchard nor did my brother.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
'Lest...should' is used to extend a warning and also suggest the consequences of not paying attention to that warning.

Warning +	Lest+	Person +	Should +	Consequence
Work hard	lest	you	should	fail.

The use of this conjunction in any sentence conveys a negative sense. As such, 'no' or 'not' should not be used in that sentence.

Remove 'not'.

'Lest...should' already conveys a negative sense.

The correct sentence should be: Study hard lest you should fail.

** Lest is always followed by should, with a ‘not’ anywhere.
'should' here can not be replaced by 'would' or 'may'.

For e.g. Go through the notes again and again lest you would/may fail, is incorrect.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
The conjunction 'Not only...but also' is used to show either of two qualities of one subject or a common quality of two subjects.

Formula 1: (One person - two qualities/ two actions)

Subject +	HV +	Not only +	Q1/A1 +	But also +	Q2/A2
Neha	is	not only	cute	but also	beautiful.

Replace 'though' with 'but also'.

'Not only..but also' is used in pair.

In this case, 'not only ...but also' is used to show, two qualities of the same subject, i.e. Sanjay.

The correct sentence should be: Sanjay is not only smart but also hard-working.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
'Not only' will be used before 'coming' as 'but also' is used before 'going'.

'Not only...but also' is used to connect two objects, verbs, gerunds.

For e.g. i. Not only Ranveer but also Ranbir is dancing.
ii. I have invited not only Rohan but also Mohan.
iii. She not only reads but also writes.

The correct sentence here would be: Mr. Tomar stopped not only coming here but also going to any place which is related to the accident.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Add 'has' after 'neither'.

'Neither' is followed by 'helping verb' and then the 'subject' i.e. 'neither has my brother'

The correct sentence should be: I haven't been to Pune before and neither has my brother.

Refer to the formula in previous question.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'but'.

'Not only ...but also' is co-relative conjunction and used in pair.

The correct sentence should be: Be kind not only in words but also in action.

Formula 2: (Two persons - common quality/action)

Not only +	Subject 1 +	But also +	Subject 2 +	HV +	Q/A
Not only	Ramesh	but also	Suresh	is	poor.

Note: There should be no repetition of action or quality in the first part of the sentence.

Don't say: Not only Ramesh is poor but also Suresh is poor.
Say: Not only Ramesh but also Suresh is poor.

Similarly,

Don't say:	Not only the teacher but also the children is dancing.
Say:	Not only the teacher but also the children are dancing.

Don't say:	Not only the children but also the teacher are playing.
Say:	Not only the children but also the teacher is playing.

The use of helping verb is to be made very carefully. When two subjects are joined by 'not only..but also', the verb must agree with the second subject.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Add 'also' after 'but'.

'Not only...but also' is used in pair.

The correct sentence should be: Your success in sports not only depends on what sport you have selected but also on how you perform in them.

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Replace 'as well as' with 'and'.

'Both..and' is used in pair (Co-relative Conjunction). For e.g. Both Ram and Shyam

Both You and I

The correct sentence should be: Both Sameer and his wife are determined to make changes.

For e.g. The sentence, “Both the rich along with the poor are facing trouble due to the demonetization”, is incorrect.

The correct sentence should be: Both the rich and poor are facing trouble due to the demonetization.

Note that 'both...and' is used in pair, 'and' cannot be replaced by 'as well as', 'along with', 'together with' or any other word.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Conjunction 'Although...yet' is used to express two contrary qualities or actions of the subject.

'Although/though' is always followed by 'yet'.

Formula:

Although/Though +	Subject +	Verb/HV +	Q1 +	Yet +	Subject +	Verb/HV	Q2
Although	he	is	rich	yet	he	is	miser.

'Rich' and 'Miser' are two contrasting qualities of the person.

'Although' is always followed by 'yet'.

'But' cannot be used in place of 'yet'.

It is generally used to show two contrary qualities or actions of a subject (person).

The correct sentence should be: Although I tried my best yet I could not pass the exam.

ANSWER: 4

Explanation:
Replace 'but' with 'yet'.

'Although/Though..yet' is used in pair.

The correct sentence should be: Though she was sick yet she went to the club.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
'Between' is followed by 'and'.

The correct sentence should be: The workers take a break between 4 pm and 6 pm everyday.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'to'.

'From' is always followed by 'to'.

The correct sentence should be: From June 1995 to June 2005, the city's population declined by 20,000 people.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'though' with 'but'. Two show contrasting qualities, 'but' is used.

e.g. She is poor but honest.

The correct sentence should be: The programme was almost fixed but it was his negligence that led to disappointment.

But/Yet are used interchangeably in many cases.

e.g. It is strange 'yet/but' it is true.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'but'.

To show two contrasting qualities of same subject, use of 'but' is preferred rather than 'and'.

The correct sentence would be: He has lots of money but he dare not start a company.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'and' with 'or'.

In this case, destination cannot be both 'fifty and sixty' kilometers at the same time.

The intention here to convey, either one of the two.

The correct sentence should be: Our destination was about fifty or sixty kilometers to the west.

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
Replace 'if' with 'whether'.

'Whether' is followed by 'or' i.e. 'whether...or' form.

The correct sentence should be: I cannot say whether he has passed the exam or not.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'when' with 'if'.

To express condition, as in this case, we use 'if'.'When' would mean admire whenever brother has done the artwork, that is not the intention here.

The correct sentence should be: You must admire the artwork if your brother has done it.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'when' with 'if'.

For conditional statements or sentences, 'if' is used.

The correct sentence should be: She would not have suffered if you had helped her in time.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'unless' with 'until'.

Until denotes sense of time, whereas Unless denotes condition.

In this case, Until must be used.

The correct sentence should be: I can't allow you to go out of the class until they provide further instructions.

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Remove 'do not'. 'Unless' itself conveys a negative sense. Use of 'do not' is not required in this case.

The correct sentence should be: Unless you give the keys to the locker you will be killed.

Because/As/For - All these conjunctions mean 'because'.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'as' with 'because'.

As conjunctions, 'Because', 'As', 'For', 'Since' specify reasons in the following manner:

1) 'Because' shows the strongest reason.
2) 'Since' shows normally strong reason.
3) 'As/For' shows the weakest cause.

The correct sentence should be: I could not go to school because I was seriously ill. (A Strong case)

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'because' with 'as'.

Here, it is a weak case, correct usage is 'as it was raining'.

The correct sentence should be: I did not go college as it was raining.

**Although Grammar prescribes different rules of 'Because', 'As', 'For', yet it is not a hard and fast rule.

e.g. My parents traveled by air 'as/for/because' they wanted to arrive early.

You'd better take the motorcycle 'as/for/since' part of the road is blocked.

Both my cousin and his friend cannot come early 'as/for/because' they are busy doing their work.

ANSWER: 3

Explanation:
Replace 'as' with 'since'.

In this case, the intention is to convey 'from the time' he came, so the correct thing to say is 'since he came here'.

'Since' is used in two ways -

1) To express time
2) To express 'cause' or 'reason'.

e.g. It is a month since I saw her. (Time)

Since she is my aunt, I obey her. (Reason)

The correct sentence should be: He has been studying with me since he came here.

'As long as/ So long as' denote time during which an action or event takes place.

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Replace 'till' with 'as long as'.

'Till' cannot be used to begin any sentence.

The correct sentence should be: As long as I am alive nobody can ever harm you.

ANSWER: 1

Explanation:
Add 'as' after 'so long'. The correct form of this conjunction is 'so long as'.

'As long as/So long as' convey the same meaning.

Though there is some difference in their use. 'As long as' is used only in affirmative sense.

'So long as' is used in negative and affirmative both.

e.g. So long as he does not offend me, I will not hit him. (Negative sense)

The correct sentence should be: So long as you work honestly, no one can fire you.