CONJUNCTION- Common Errors / Mistakes

Rules:

COMMON ERRORS IN THE USE OF CONJUNCTIONS

1. "That"

This conjunction should never be used before a sentence consisting of a quotation, nor before relative or interrogative adverbs.

Erroneous Sentences:

1. He said that "I shall soon be there."

2. He asked that how long you would be absent.

3. Tell me that whether you will soon return.

Corrected Sentences:

1. He said, "I shall soon be there."

2. He asked how long you would be absent.

3. Tell me whether you will soon return.

2. "As well as", "No less than"

These conjunctions give emphasis to the first of the two clauses, not to the second.

Erroneous Sentences:

1. He was no less hopeful than confident.

2. He was accused as well as convicted.

Corrected Sentences:

1. He was no less confident than hopeful.

2. He was convicted as well as accused.

3. "Not only", "But also"

These conjunctions give emphasis to the second of the two clauses, not to the first.

Erroneous Sentences:

1. He was not only confident, but hopeful.

2. He was not only convicted, but also accused.

Corrected Sentences:

1. He was not only hopeful, but also confident.

2. He was not only accused, but also convicted.

4. "Until", "As long as", "While"

To express time before, we use "until"; to express duration, we use "as long as" or "while".

Erroneous Sentences:

1. Until you work hard, you will improve.

2. He continued lazy, as long as he was seventeen years old.

3. Until the world lasts, the earth will go round the sun.

Corrected Sentences:

1. As long as you work hard, you will improve.

2. He continued lazy, until he was seventeen years old.

3. While the world lasts, the earth will go round the sun.

5. "No sooner", "As soon as"

These mean the same thing, but after "no sooner" we must use the conjunction "than" and the auxiliary verb "do."

Erroneous Sentences:

1. No sooner he heard the news, he wept aloud.

2. No sooner he died, his sons quarreled over his property.

Corrected Sentences:

1. No sooner did he hear the news than he wept aloud. or As soon as he heard the news, he wept aloud.

2. No sooner did he die than his sons quarreled over his property. or As soon as he died, his sons quarreled over his property.

6. "Unless", "If"

The conjunction "unless" means "if not."

Erroneous Sentences:

1. Unless you do not work hard, you will be plucked.

2. Unless you have no objection, I will come tomorrow.

Corrected Sentences:

1. If you do not work hard, you will be plucked.

2. If you have no objection, I will come tomorrow.

7. "Because", "In order that"

To express a cause or reason, we use "because." To express a purpose, we use "in order that" or "so that."

Erroneous Sentences:

1. Men work because they may earn a living.

2. He took medicine because he might get well.

Corrected Sentences:

1. Men work in order that they may earn a living.

2. He took medicine so that he might get well.