Introduction
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses. SSC's most distinctive conjunction topic is
correlative conjunctions — fixed pairs that must always be used together and cannot be
mismatched.
Types of Conjunctions
| Type | Function | Examples |
|---|
| Coordinating | Joins equal/similar grammatical units | and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet (FANBOYS) |
| Subordinating | Joins a dependent clause to an independent clause | because, although, since, if, when, while |
| Correlative | Fixed pairs working together | either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, both...and |
Correlative Conjunction Pairs — Never Mismatch These
💡 Golden Rule: Correlative conjunctions come in FIXED pairs — using one half with the wrong partner is one of SSC's most common Error Spotting traps.
| Correct Pair | Common Wrong Pairing |
|---|
| Either...or | Either...nor |
| Neither...nor | Neither...or |
| Not only...but also | Not only...but (missing "also") |
| Both...and | Both...as well as |
| Scarcely...when | Scarcely...than |
| No sooner...than | No sooner...when |
| As...as | As...like |
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) He is neither intelligent or hardworking. (B) He is neither intelligent nor hardworking.
"Neither" must pair with "nor," never "or"
Correct: (B) He is neither intelligent nor hardworking.
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) No sooner did he arrive when it started raining. (B) No sooner did he arrive than it started raining.
"No sooner" must pair with "than," never "when"
Correct: (B) No sooner did he arrive than it started raining.
Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions
⚠️ Common Trap: The grammatical structure following each half of a correlative pair must MATCH (parallel structure) — same part of speech or same verb form on both sides.
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) She is both intelligent and a hard worker. (B) She is both intelligent and hardworking.
"Both...and" should join two matching parts of speech (adjective + adjective)
Correct: (B) She is both intelligent and hardworking. (both adjectives)
Subordinating Conjunctions and Clause Order
| Conjunction | Relationship |
|---|
| Because, since, as | Reason |
| Although, though, even though | Contrast |
| If, unless, provided that | Condition |
| When, while, before, after | Time |
⚠️ Common Trap: Never use both "because" and "so" (or "although" and "but") together in the same sentence — this is a redundant double-conjunction error.
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) Although he was tired, but he continued working. (B) Although he was tired, he continued working.
"Although" already establishes contrast; adding "but" is redundant
Correct: (B) Although he was tired, he continued working.
✅ Practice Focus: Coordinating vs subordinating vs correlative types · Correlative pairs must never be mismatched (either-or, neither-nor, no sooner-than) · Parallel structure after correlative conjunctions · Avoiding redundant double conjunctions (although...but).