conjunctions

CONJUNCTIONS (Liên từ)
1. Các liên từ chỉ sự thêm (addition)
- And = both … and = also = in addition to
Ex: He can sing and dance. She could speak English. She also speaks a little Chinese. In addition
to going to college, she also takes a part time job. Both my sister and I like drinking coffee.
- Moreover = Furthermore: hơn nữa
Ex: He was a talented artist, moreover a famous writer. They didn’t like him. Furthermore, they
didn’t contact with him a long time ago.
- Besides: Ngoài ra
Ex: Besides working as a doctor, he also writes novels in his spare time.
- Not only … but also
Ex: She is not only beautiful but also kind.
- As well as
Ex: I need to go to the bank as well as bookshop.
2. Các liên từ chỉ sự tương phản
- But
Ex: They didn’t feel tired but happy after a long journey.
- However
Ex: Food prices have been rising. However, it is unlikely that this increase will continue.
- Nevertheless
Ex: It’s a difficult race. Nevertheless, over 1000 people participate this year.
- Still
Ex: We didn’t win the game, but it was still exciting.
- Yet
Ex: The weather was cold, yet bright and sunny.
Note: Distinguish between “but” and “however”
- “But” nghĩa là nhưng nối 2 mệnh đề trái ngược nhau hoàn toàn hoặc vế trước là đối nghịch của
nguyên nhân gây ra cái sau.
Ex: She did her homework, but I didn't. It was midnight, but the restaurant was still open.
- “However” nghĩa là tuy nhiên, nó thể hiện sự nhượng bộ, cũng nói về sự trái ngược nhưng ko đối
nghịch nhau hoàn toàn, và ý định nhận mạnh phần sau hơn phần trước, hoặc là ý nói phần trước ko

đáng kể so với phần sau.
Ex: Lan is a very good student; however Hung is much better than her.
- Ngoài ra, để phân biệt “but” và “however” cũng có thể dùng dấu câu
+ “But” không đứng đầu câu (trong văn viết), thường đứng giữa câu và trước có dấu phảy.
Ex: She is 83, but she still goes swimming every day.
+ “However” đứng đầu câu, sau đó có dấu phảy.
Ex: I delighted I could be here today. However, I didn’t come here to talk about myself.
+ “However” đứng giữa câu, trước có dấu phảy, sau có dấu phảy hoặc không có.
Ex: He felt tired. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate.
However đứng cuối câu, trước có dấu phảy.
Ex: The president was confident of success. His advisers were not so sure, however.
- “But” dùng thông dụng trong văn nói, “however” trang trọng hơn, thường dùng trong văn viết.
3. Liên từ chỉ kết quả
- Therefore
Ex: There is still much to discussion. Therefore, we will discuss them at the next meeting.
- So
Ex: There weren’t enough beds, so I had to sleep on the floor.
- Thus = Hence = Therefore
Ex: We do not own the building. Thus, it would be impossible for us to make any changes to it.
- Consequently = As a result
Ex: This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. She
died as a result of her injuries. The failure of the company was a direct result of bad management.
Note: Distinguish between “so” and “therefore”
+ “So” ko đứng đầu câu (trong văn viết), thường đứng giữa câu và trước có dấu phảy.
Ex: She saw an accident, so she called the police.
+ “Therefore” đứng đầu câu, sau đó có dấu phảy.
Ex: This is an important contract. Therefore, we recommend that you review it carefully.
+ “Therefore” đứng giữa câu, trước có dấu chấm phảy, sau có dấu phảy hoặc ko có, hoặc có dấu
phảy cả trước và sau.
Ex: He is only 17. He isn’t, therefore, allowed to drive.

+ “Therefore” đứng cuối câu, trước có dấu phảy.
Ex: I am 60. I have decided to retire, therefore.
- “So” dùng thông dụng trong văn nói. “Therefore” trang trọng hơn, thường dùng trong văn viết.
4. Liên từ chỉ sự lựa chọn
- Or
Ex: Take this book or that one.
- Or else
Ex: You must work harder or else go into another class.
- Either … or
Ex: You can either come by bus or take a taxi.
- Neither … nor
Ex: Neither Mary nor Jane can swim.
- Otherwise
Ex: We must hurry; otherwise we’ll miss the train.
Exercise 1: Fill each blank with “but, so, however, therefore”
1/ This is the shortest way to the city center; it is not the only way
2/ The boy was able to learn English, he is very lazy.
3/ He didn't attend the lesson, he could not do his homework.
4/ The rice is 6000 dong per kilo, we bought 10 kilos.
5/ Your son is heading to the right direction; I think you should encourage him to learn
harder.
6/ It is very late now, she is still at her office.
7/ It was midnight, they closed the restaurant and went home.
8/ He had written to her many times, she didn't give any reply, they had been out
of touch ever since
9/ We discussed the issue all day, we could not come to a final conclusion.
10/ It started to rain hard; we decided to stay at home to watch TV.
Exercise 2: Fill in each blank with an appropriate conjunction.
1. He drinks_______beer_______wine.
2. I’m going out for a short time,______you can get supper ready.

3. Those who are not prepared to study should _______change their ways________
make room for those who will work.
4. She can’t hope to pass the exam in December______she’ll have to wait till June.
5. He is very seriously ill,______doctors have almost give up hope of his recovery.
6. They go to concerts of modem music ______they really like it.
7. I do not like him very much, I can appreciate his qualities.
8. Find out_______they are going this evening_______ask if we may join them.
9. I walked into the room, the phone started ringing.
10. We’ll be late______we hurry.
Exercise 3: Join each pair of sentences, using a subordinate conjunction.
1. Nam will pass the exam. He studies hard.
2. Mary came to class late. Her motorbike had a puncture.
3. Her mother was very sick. She couldn’t come to class
4. Tom was very lazy. He passed the final examination as well.
5. Daisy is very nice. All her friends love her very much.
6. Daisy is a very intelligent girl. She always gets the scholarships.
7. We will take the trip. It is stormy.
8. I had forgot locking the door. I drove to the office this morning.
9. We study hard. We want to pass the final examination.
10. She earned her living by selling newspapers. She got a B.A degree.
Exercise 4: Join each pair of sentences. Use the words in brackets.
1. She is in London. She is in Berlin, too. (either or)
2. He wasn’t an idler. He wasn’t a gambler, (neither nor)
3. He isn’t likely to be present at the meeting. I’m not either, (neither nor)
4. The computer can gather facts. It can store them. (not only but also)
5. This prize will mean an honour for him. It will mean an honour for us. (not only but also)