Errors in the Use of Conjunctions

A Conjunction in English Grammar is merely a connecting word and it has no other function except joining two words, phrases or clauses in a sentence.

There are certain common errors made in English Grammar by the user. Let us highlight a few of them for our better understanding:

1.       There must not a repetition of Conjunction for the same function:

Error 1                                  

·         (Incorrect): Though he is poor, still he dreams big.

(Correct): Though he is poor, he dreams big.

·         (Incorrect): As he is tall, so he can’t fit inside.

(Correct): As he is tall, he can’t fit inside. OR He is tall, so he can’t run inside.

·         (Incorrect): As I rung the bell, at that time he opened the door.

(Correct): As I rung the bell, he opened the door.

2.       Since the conjunction ‘because’ is enough to join two sentences, ‘therefore’ becomes extraneous.

Example:

Error 2

·         (Incorrect): Because he was not hungry therefore we ate without him.

(Correct): Because he was not hungry we ate without him.

·         Incorrect: Because he is affluent so he gets a lot of privileges.

Correct: Because he is affluent he gets a lot of privileges.

OR

He is affluent so he gets a lot of privilege.

Incorrect: Since he was upset therefore I said nothing.

Correct: Since he was upset I said nothing.

OR

He was angry; therefore, I said nothing.(It is important to note here that therefore is not a Conjunction and hence it cannot connect two clauses. As a transitional verb is must be separated from the rest of the sentence using a comma.)

3.       Subordinate conjunctions must immediately be followed by the dependent clause without using a full stop or any other punctuation mark.

Example:

Error 3

·         (Incorrect): She did not attend the wedding. Because she was committed elsewhere.

(Correct): She did not attend the wedding because she was committed elsewhere.

4.       In case  of ‘No sooner’ an inverted word order is used which means that the auxiliary verb precedes the subject .

Example:

Error 4

(Incorrect): No sooner I had reached the office than the boss left.

(Correct): No sooner had I reached the station than theboss left.

5.       In case if the first part is negative, the auxiliary verb shall again precede the subject.

Example:

(Incorrect): Neither he calls nor he messages.

(Correct): Neither does he call nor does he message.

OR

He neither calls nor messages.

6.       When the second clause gives an information which is sudden or unexpected “but” must be used instead of “and”.

 Error 6

(Incorrect): Their front door was ajar and there seemed to be nobody at home.

(Correct): Their front door was ajar but there seemed to be nobody at home.

7.       Unless

Unless in itself means ‘if not’, so it will be incorrect to introduce a second ‘not’ in the sentence

Example:

Correct:         Unless you give the code of the locker, you will be killed.

OR                  If you do not give the code of the locker, you will be killed.

Incorrect:      Unless you do not give the code of the locker, you will be killed.

Lest

8.       Lest also means that-- not, and, therefore, it will be wrong to add another not in the following clause. ‘Lest’ must always be followed by modal auxiliary ‘should’.

Example:

Incorrect:            Take care lest you fail. (Or Take care lest you do not fail.)

Correct:                Take care lest you should fail.

Book your tickets early lest you should miss this opportunity.

9.       Than, as and that

‘Than’ is used after comparative adjectives and adverbs, not ‘As’ or ‘That’

Example:             She is fairer than me.

English Grammar and Composition

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