Connectives

Connectives

Connectives joins clauses to show cause, effect, time, place, purpose and so on.

1. AS/ BECAUSE/ SINCE

These reason connectives are used to link a statement/ action and a reason.

Action/ Statement + as/ because/ since + Reason Statement

Example:

Maya didn’t go to school yesterday because/as/since she was sick.

Because/as/since Maya was sick, she didn’t go to school yesterday.

Because/since/as is used before the reason either in the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. If it is used in the beginning, comma (,) should be given after the reason.

2. BECAUSE OF

This connective is used to connect a statement/ action and a reason, but the reason should be a noun phrase (NP).

Action/ Statement + because of + Reason (NP)

Example:

Sarita failed her exam because of her carelessness.

Because of her poverty, she couldn’t buy any books.

3. TO/ IN ORDER TO

The purpose connectives connect actions and purposes.

Action + to / in order to + V1 (Purpose)

Example:

They work hard to pass the exam.

Radha went to the bank in order to get money.

4. SO THAT

This purpose connective also links an action and a purpose, but the purpose should be a clause.

Action + so that + purpose statement (subj.+ can/could/may/might_______+V1)

Example:

Students go to the library so that they can read books.

5. THOUGH/ ALTHOUGH/ EVEN THOUGH

These are the connectives of unexpected result. They are used to connect a situation and an

unexpected result. These connectives are always used with situations.

Though/ Although/ Even though + Situation (SVO) + Unexpected Result

Example:

Prerana didn’t eat anything although she was hungry.

Even though Rahul was innocent, he was accused of stealing money.

Though/although/even though is used before the situation either in the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. If it is used in the beginning, comma (,) should be given after the situation.

6. IN SPITE OF/ DESPITE

These connectives also link a situation and an unexpected result; the situation should be a noun phrase (NP).

In spite of/ Despite + Situation (NP), + Unexpected Result

Example:

Gopal refused to eat in spite of his hunger.

Despite her intelligence, Rama failed her exam.

7. HOWEVER

‘However’ is used with the second statement when it is contrary to the first statement.

First Statement + however + Second Statement (Contrary)

Example:

I was there yesterday; however, I didn’t talk to her.

English is an interesting subject; however, it takes a long time to learn it.

8. RELATIVE CLAUSES

‘Who, whom, whose, which, where and what’ are the relative pronouns. These are also used to join the two sentences. They make adjective clauses in the sentences. The clauses are

called the relative clauses.

‘Who’ is used for a person as a subjective case.

Example:

Geeta who lives in the hostel is a good player.

‘Whom’ is used for a person as an objective case.

Example:

Karna whom everyone loves is a singer.

‘Whose’ is used for a person as a possessive case.

Example:

Bina whose house is far works in our office.

‘Where’ is used for place as a place adverb.

Example:

I don’t know the spot where he got the accident.

‘Which/that’ is used for things / place as a subjective or objective case.

Example:

The story which you told was interesting.

Kathmandu which is the capital is the largest city in Nepal.

‘What’ is used for things (a fact) as a subjective/objective case.

Example:

I told him what I knew about the incident.

I gave him what you wanted.

9. FOR/THEREFORE

These are reason connectives which join a statement and a reason.

Example:

The poet did not listen to the bird's song for it wasn't singing for him.

Rita was stupid therefore she failed the exam.

I went to doctor for some medicine.

I went to market for buying vegetables.

'for' acts as purpose connective too.

Example:

It joins an action and a purpose.

10. UNTILE/TILL

It is a time connective that joins two actions: first action and second action.

Example:

They played football until/ till 4 am.

They had written homework until it was four.

11. 'BUT'

It is used to join two opposing or contrasting statements.

Example:

My mother can read, but she can't write.

12. 'AND', 'AS WELL AS'

These connectives join where the meaning 'is also'.

Example:

Rita and Hari went to school.

She ate an egg as well as two apples.

Person + who_______ + Verb _______

Person + whom_______ + Subject

Person + whose _______ + Noun_______

Place + where _______ + _______

Things + which _______ + _______

_______+ what _______ + _______

Exercise with Answer: 

1.    Sumeena couldn't attend her class _______ her illness. (because of/ therefore/ in spite of)

2.    _______strong wind, they climbed the mountain. (Because/ Because of / In spite of)

3.    Monika _______I like very much has recently written a book. (whom/ whose/ what)

4.    Ram met me late evening yesterday, _______he didn't give me back my umbrella. (though/ therefore/ however)

5.    I don't know the girl_______ is singing the song. (who/ whose/ whom)

6.    She got up early_______ she could go to temple. (so/ however/ so that)

7.    He lost his way_______ his weak eyesight (so that/ however/ due to)

8.    She is happy _______ she is poor. (however/ though/ even)

9.    _______her cleverness, she couldn't puzzle me. (Despite/ In order to/ Because of)

10. She tried hard _______she didn't get success. (though/ however/ so)

11. The girl _______hair is long works in a bank. (who/ whose/ whom)

12. I was born in Pokhara _______is very beautiful city. (which/ where/ who)

13. The pen_______ is on the table is mine. (where/ which/ who)

14. The city _______ we can see many temples is Kathmandu. (which/ where/ what)

15. The time _______ I usually get up is 4:30 a. m. (what/ which/ when)

16. _______I want to know is your personality. (What/ Who/ Whom)

17. You will be punished for_______ you have done. (what/ when / while)

18. I went to doctor_______ some medicines. (because/ for /to)

19. Rita was lazy, _______she failed the exams. (however /despite/ therefore)

20. I cannot eat this food_______ I never eat meat. (but /although/since)

21. Prem was not only teacher_______ my uncle. (but also/ as well as / along with)

22. He passed math, _______ he failed English. (but / however/ therefore)

23. I went to the city_______ buy some fruits. (for/ to / because of)

24. _______ he was late, he missed his school bus. (Before/ As/ Until)

25. Ravi often goes to river_______ swim. (so that/ in order to/ because)

26. They are happy_______ they go. (where/wherever/ which)

27. We go to bank_______ withdrawing money. (in order to/ for/ because of)

28. The school was closed_______ strike. (because of / in spite of/ in order to)

29. Our flight was cancelled_______ poor visibility. (in spite of/because / because of)

30. God helps those_______ help themselves. (which/ what/ who)