Sentence Connectors

Questions based on Sentence connector or Linker are very frequently asked in many exams. Many types of questions are asked from this section but for all these questions it is important that we have good knowledge of the connecting words. Basically we call these linking words conjunctions and these can be used to join two phrases, clauses and two things together. Sentence Connector are very important to maintain coherence among two sentences or paragraphs. Connectors are also useful for writing descriptive essays and answers.

What is a Conjunction?

Conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect various  words /phrases /clauses in a construction. e.g. but, and, or,nor, yet, for , so , although, since , because , unless, when , where , while etc.

For example:

• He looks very cruel but his heart is soft. (conjunction word 'but' is joining two sentences)
• It is necessary to go to school because today is my exam. (conjunction word 'because' is joining two sentences)
• I went to market with my mother and (conjunction word 'and' is joining two words)
• Three and four make seven. (conjunction word 'and' is joining two words)
• Using conjunction two simple sentences can be joined into one to become more compact.

Such as:

Sheela is a very good bowler and Vishal is also a very good bowler.

Sheela and Vishal are good bowlers.

Some conjunctions are used in pairs in the sentences such as either –or, neither –nor, whether –or, both –and, not only – but also, though – yet, etc.

Such as:

• Either go to school or study at home.
• I can neither avoid it nor take it serious.
• Both, Seema and Geeta are good singers.
• Though I was very busy, yet I met my friend.
• I don't care whether you love me or hate me.
• Not only he is hard working, but also

So we can use conjunction to connect Word- Word, Phrase – Phrase and Clause – Clause.

For example

i) Word-  Word

He bought a book and a pen.

I forget to bring my Laptop and Camera.

ii) Phrase – Phrase

You may meet me at my home or at my office.

He always sits in the library or in the class room.

iii) Clause – clause

It makes me happy when you laugh.

I will not tell him the secret even if he insists.

There are three major types of conjunctions :

1. Coordinating Conjunction
2. Subordinating Conjunction
3. Correlative Conjunction.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction joins words, phrases or clauses having similar grammatical structure.

A coordinating conjunction is also called a coordinator, which are 'but, and, or, so, nor, yet, for

FANBOYS – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

 It joins the following:

• Word + Word
• Phrase + Phrase
• Clause + Clause

Read the following example. the underlined parts are the words, phrases and clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction such as 'and, or, but' Examples:

¦ He bought a book  and a pen. (two words)

¦ I forgot to bring my laptop and camera. (two word)

¦ You may meet me at my home or at my office. (two phrases)

¦ He always sits in the library or in the classroom. (two phrases)

¦  I waited for him but he didn't come. (two clauses)

¦  She requested him for help but he didn't help her. (two clauses)

Coordinating conjunction is subdivided into following types:

a) Adversative:

Adversative coordinating conjunction is used to indicate opposition or contrast between two statements. Some of the adversative coordinating conjunctions are still, but, only, yet, whereas, while, nevertheless, etc.

For example:

I am slow, but I am sure about my destination.

I will take rest, only when I get tried.

It was intolerable, still I kept quiet.

b) Disjunctive or Alternative:

Disjunctive or alternative coordinating conjunction is used to indicate choice between two statements. Some of the alternative coordinating conjunctions are or, neither....nor, either....or, else, neither, nor, otherwise, etc....

For example:

• I must work hard, or I will fail.
• Either he is intelligent or he makes us fool.
• Neither you, nor I can do this work.
• Do hard work, else you will not go ahead of him.

1. Cumulative or Copulative:

Cumulative or copulative coordinating conjunction is used when we need to only add one statement to another. Some of the cumulative coordinating conjunctions are and, both…and, not only…but also, as well as, etc.

For example:

• I cleaned the room and My friend cooked the food.

• He is both intelligent and smart.

• I have to go college as well as market.

• He not only helped me but also gave some money to me.

d) Illative:

Illative coordinating conjunction is used to express an inference in the sentence. Some of the illative coordinating conjunctions are for, so, etc.

For example:

• I work hard so I will pass the exam.

• I must to go school, for I have no option.

1. Subordinate Conjunction

A subordinate conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main clause(independent ) Clause.

Although, because, since, unless, until, while, as soon as,  before , if , how , once , till , until , where , when , whenever, whether , after , while,  no matter how , provided that  , as well as etc.

Main clause + Subordinate clause

Subordinate clause + Main clause

For example:

• We went to zoo where we saw a white elephant.
• You will succeed in life provided that you work hard.
• You will succeed in life provided that you think optimistically.
• We went to zoo where we saw an elephant.
• I will help whenever you need my help.
• All the shops were closed because it was late.
• It makes me happy when you laugh.
• I will not tell him the secret even if he insists a lot.
• Although It is raining. it is too hot today.

1. Correlated Conjunctions

 

 Correlative conjunctions are paired words. It joins words, phrases or clauses having reciprocal or complementary relationship.

 The common correlative conjunctions are as follows:

  

 • Either .... or                • Lest --  should               •  Never – nor

 • Neither .... nor            • As much  -  as               •  Other/rather – than

 • Whether.... or /not      • No sooner – than            •  Else – but

 • Both .... and                • Hardly/ Scarcely/Barely – When/before

 • Not only .... but also    • Though/ Although -- yet

Correlative conjunction is used to correlate or join phrases or words carrying equal importance in the sentence.

 Examples:

  He may buy either a laptop or a camera.

• She likes neither tea nor coffee.
• Both the pink and the blue are nice colors.
• She is interested not only in singing but also in games.
• You will find him either in the library or in the classroom.
• She is both rich and beautiful
• Either I will go to school or stay home and read.
• I am neither rich nor poor.
• He is not only poor, but also ill.

Conjunctive Adverbs

The conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover, nevertheless, consequently, as a result are used to create complex relationships between ideas.

Examples

• We have many different sizes of this shirt; however, it comes in only one color.
• The due date for the final paper has passed; therefore, I could not submit mine on time.
• There are many history books; however, none of them may be accurate.
• It rained hard; moreover, lightening flashed and thunder boomed.
• The baby fell asleep; then, the doorbell rang.
• The law does not permit drinking and driving anytime; otherwise, there would be many more accidents.
• I woke up very late this morning. Nevertheless, I wasn’t late to school.
• She didn’t take a bus to work today. Instead, she drove her car.
• Jack wants a toy car for his birthday. Meanwhile, Jill wants a dollhouse for her birthday.
• hey returned home. Likewise, I went home.

Type of Questions based of Sentence Connectors

•                      Sentence Connectors is also called “synthesis” in grammatical terminology.
• ·                     In such type of questions we are provided with phrase/connector as three options which can be used in the beginning (to start the sentence) to form a single sentence from the two sentences given in the question.
• ·                     But we have to keep it in mind that after using these connectors to connect these statements the newly formed sentence should imply the same meaning as expressed in the statement sentences.
• ·                     These questions appear somewhat difficult, but are very easy to tackle after some practice and can help you score high in exam. We will analyse these types of questions and suggest you some important tips to solve them with greater accuracy in minimum time.
• ·                     Sentences are combined to avoid the monotony that may result due to use of brief sentences.
• ·                     Hence, to combine them and give them rhythm and style of various lengths and structures, we use sentence connectors.
• ·                     Sentence Connectors are words and phrases that are used for synthesis of sentences, i.e connect two sentences into one sentence with coherence. “Coherence” means “the quality of being logical and consistent”.
• ·                     Hence, the correct sentence connector is one that maintains coherence in the given two statements.
• ·                     These sentence connectors are used to provide coherence to the statement or paragraphs by presenting a contrast, similarity, consequence, sequence, example, emphasis, dismissal, etc.

Type 1

Directions: Select the phrase/connector out of three phrases/connectors given as (a), (b) and (c) which can be used in the beginning (to start the sentence) to form a single sentence from the two or three statements given while implying the same meaning as expressed in the statement sentences.

Q1.

1.            We should move away from here.

2.            The storm is approaching.

(i) Considering that
(ii) Although we should
(iii) As the storm
 

1.            Only (i)

2.            Only (ii)

3.            Only (iii)

4.            Both (i) and (ii)

5.            Both (i) and (iii)

Explanation:
In the first statement, it has been stated that “the storm is approaching”. Hence, it is an alarming situation for someone present over there.  The second statement states an action that should be taken considering the above problem. The first option, “considering that” gives a coherence to the two statements if combined-“Considering that the storm is approaching, we should move away from here”. “Considering that” is used to indicate that one is thinking about a particular fact/problem/situation when making a judgment or decision.
The second option “although we should”  states a contrast and when added to the beginning of any of the given two statements it does not make sense.  For example, “Although the storm is approaching, we should move away from here.” This statement is not logical. The key to solving questions based on sentence connectors lies in making the statements logical and consistent.
The third option “As the storm” consists of “as”. We use “as” in the beginning of a sentence to “state the reason for something”. Hence, in the given statement, it is stating the reason to leave a particular place due to imminent danger.

Q2.

1. They were afraid.
2. The cat would eat them up.
(i) that anytime
(ii) as a matter of fact
(iii) knowing that
 

Explanation:

These two sentences can be combined in many ways. By using option (i), “They were afraid that anytime the cat would eat them up.” It can also be combined by using option (iii), They were afraid, knowing that the cat would eat them up. Option (ii) is incorrect for combining these sentences because “as a matter of fact” is used to emphasis sentences.

Q3.
1. The love and adulation he amasses only continues to grow with each passing day.
2. It has been about four years that Sachin retired.
(i) As it
(ii) All in all
(iii) Although
 

1.            Only (i)

2.            Only (ii)

3.            Only (iii)

4.            Both (i) and (ii)

5.            Both (i) and (iii)

Explanation:
The given two statements present a contrasting fact that despite the retirement of Sachin about four years ago, his popularity has been growing as the time passes. Now option (i) does not give coherence to the statements. “As” in the beginning of the sentence is used to state a reason.
In the second option “all in all” is used to state consideration of all aspects of something together.
The third option, “although” is the correct connector to be used. “Although” means “in spite of the fact that”. Hence, the correct answer should be option C.

Type 2.

Direction: In the questions given below, three or four sentences are given. Select the answer choice that provides the grammatically correct way of combining all the sentences into a single one. The combined sentence should imply the same meaning as expressed in the statement:

Q1. Captive mining of coal leads to diseconomies; Captive mining is rigid in nature; commercial mining is in the national interest; commercial mining involves economies of scale and a lot of customers will be a part of the process.

A  Whereas captive mining of coal is characterized by diseconomies and rigidities, commercial mining is in the national interest as it leads to economies of scale via multiple customers.

B  Captive mining of coal is characterized by iseconomies and rigidities since commercial mining is in the national interest and unlocks economies of scale via multiple customers.

C  Because captive mining of coal is characterized by diseconomies and rigidities, this leads to commercial mining being in the national interest and unlocks economies of scale via multiple customers.

D  Captive mining is in the national interest and unlocks economies of scale via multiple customers as commercial mining of coal is characterized by diseconomies and rigidities.

E  All of the above

Explanation :

Correct Option: A

Option B uses the word since to link capitve and commercial mining while option C uses because . Both these words change the meaning of the sentence and imply a cause and effect relationship between captive and coal mining which is nowhere mentioned in the original statements. Hence, Options B and C are incorrect.

Option D is the opposite of the original statements and false.

Option A is the most suitable one out of all.

Q2. The Courts should authorize all privacy breach cases; Agency conducting privacy breach must be responsible to the Executive; Agency must be responsible to the Parliament; A law created for data protection is the need of the hour.

A  Not only should all privacy breach cases be authorized by the courts, but the agency responsible should also be held to account by a Executive and the Parliament alongside formation of a data protection law.

B  Along with the need for a data protection law, all privacy breach cases should be authorized by the courts with the agency responsible being held to account- not only by the executive but also the parliament.

C Along with the need for a data protection law, since all privacy breach cases should be authorized by the courts, thus the agency responsible should also be held to account not only by the executive but also the parliament.

D Nonetheless, all privacy breach cases should be authorized by the courts and thereafter the agency responsible should also be held to account by both the Executive and the Parliament along to formation of a data protection law.

E All of the above

Explanation

Correct Option: B

Option A: There are two errors here- use of the article 'A' with Executive.  'A' is an indefinite article and is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group while the Executive is a specifc entity. the correct article would be 'the'. The other is the incorrect phrase 'along side' which should have been 'along with'.

Option C portrays a cause and effect relationhip between privacy breach being authorized by the courts and the agency being held accountable by the Executive and Parliament and is false.

Option D: The adverb 'Nonetheless' means despite something. This makes the sentence seem out of context as the original sentence does not mention any contradictory statement despite which privacy breach cases should be authorised by the courts. Also, the adverb 'thereafter', meaning after that is also incorrectly used and out of context.

Option B is correct.

Type 3 Column Connector

Directions: You are required to match statements from columns 1 and 2 and find which of the following pairs of statement make sense meaningfully and grammatically.

A  Only A-E

B  Only B-F

C  Only B-F, C-D

D  Only A-E, C-D

E  None of these

Explanation

Correct Option: D

Checking A-E:

JPMorgan has been testing other technologies to lure consumers to spend more on its cards.

The above sentence is correct both grammatically and contextually.

Checking B-F:

Having had the pleasure of getting acquainted with him, I can vouch for his frank.

The above sentence is incorrect grammatically because ‘frankness’ should have been used instead of ‘frank’.

Checking C-D:

My unbiased opinion is that the movie is awful.

The above sentence too is correct both grammatically and contextually.

Option D is hence the correct answer.