Class 4 English Grammar Chapter 15 Conjunctions

In the following sentences we find that the words in bold as and, but, or, because join two sentences. These words are called conjunctions.

1. Kriti is honest. Kriti is kind.
   Kriti is honest and kind.
2. Supriya is beautiful. Supriya is cruel.
   Supriya is beautiful and cruel.
3. Do you want coffee? Do you want tea?
   Do you want coffee or tea?
4. I trust him. He speaks the truth.
   I trust him because he speaks the truth.
5. He is poor. He is honest.
   He is poor but honest.
6. Work hard. You will fail.
   Work hard or you will fail.

In the above sentences we find that the words and, but, or, because join two sentences. These words are called conjunctions.

1. ‘And’ is a conjunction which joins two words or two sentences that go together.
Example:
Harish is tall and handsome.
Being tall is a positive quality. Being handsome is also a positive quality. So, they go together. Hence, here and is used to join the two words.

Example:
Preeti is beautiful but cruel.
Being beautiful is a positive quality. Being cruel is a negative quality. So, they do not go together. Hence, here but is used to join the two words.

Example:
Was this woman tall or short?
Here we have to choose between tall and short – one of the two.
Please hurry or you will be late.
Here again, we have to choose between the two options hurry up or late.

Examples:
Why is Ravi so happy?
Ravi is happy because he has scored the highest marks in the exam.
Why have you come late to school?
I have come late to school because I have missed my bus.
The second sentence I missed my bus is the reason of the first sentence I have come late to school.

There are two kinds of conjunction:
1. Co-ordinate Conjunctions
2. Subordinate Conjunctions

A Coordinate Conjunction joins two clauses or statements of equal rank, importance and position. The main coordinate conjunctions are and, but, or, either or neither-nor, so, yet, for etc.
Examples:
You can go by bus or train.
Rohit worked hard but failed.
Suraj and Karan are students.

A subordinating Conjunction joins one subordinate clause to another main clause for its full meaning. It joins two clauses or statements of unequal rank/importance and position. The main subordinate conjunctions are after, as, because, although, before, than, though, if, until, that, while etc.
Examples:
She did not come to school because she was ill.
You will pass if you work hard.
Do not go away until I return.

1. My father is tall _________ my mother is short.
2. Parents love children _________children love parents.
3. The sun set _________ the darkness fell.
4. Atul has passed _________ brother has failed.
5. Vijay held the blind man’s hand _________helped him cross the road.
6. I went to his house _________ he was not there.
7. The washerman washed the clothes _________ did not iron them.
8. Sit silently _________ leave the room.

1. The woman was tall. The woman was short.
2. Will you attend the class? Will you go to the movie?
3. He was punished. He was guilty.
4. I was sad. I lost my purse.
5. Work hard. You will fail.
6. Return the book in time. Pay the fine.

7. Do they work in the morning? Do they work at night?
8. I did not go to school yesterday. I had fever.
9. Tom passed. He worked hard.
10. Is the man old? Is the man young?
11. Run fast. You will miss the bus.
12. She likes the watch. She has no money to buy it.