Kinh nghiệm và mẹo toeic CONJUNCTIONS

CONJUNCTIONS


1. Coordinate conjunctions
join two equal terms: and, or,
nor, but,... .
2. Subordinate conjunctions
join two clauses: although,
since, because, when, etc.


STRATEGIES FOR CONJUNCTION
ITEMS
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

 Do you need to join two nouns, two
adjectives, two prepositional phrases, or
any equal terms? If so, is there a
coordinate conjunction joining them?
INCORRECT [The president also his
assistant are coming.]
CORRECT The president and his
assistant are coming.


 Do you need to join two sentences? If so, is
there a coordinate conjunction joining them?
INCORRECT [I can make the copies too John can
collate the pages.
CORRECT
I can make the copies, and John

can collate the pages.

 Do you need to join a dependent clause with
an independent clause? If so, is there a
subordinate conjunction joining them?
INCORRECT [But he had a suggestion, he didn’t
raise his hand.]
CORRECT
Although he had a suggestion, he
didn’t raise his hand.


 Do you understand the
meanings of the
conjunctions and of the
other words in the
sentence? Is the sentence
logical? Does it make
sense?
INCORRECT
[I know him
but his wife.]
CORRECT I know him and


1. Once (conjunction) as soon
as; when: We didn’t know
how we would cope once the
money had gone.

2. While (conjunction):
+ during the time that sth is happening SYN 
when: We must have been burgled while we
were asleep.
+ at the same time as sth else is happening: You
can go swimming while I’m having lunch.
+ used to contrast two things: While Tom’s very
good at science, his brother is absolutely
hopeless.
+ (used at the beginning of a sentence) although;
despite the fact that …: While I am willing to
help, I do not have much time available.
+ until: I waited while six o’clock.


3. As (conjunction)
+ while sth else is happening: He sat watching her
as she got ready.
+ in the way in which: They did as I had asked.
+ used to state the reason for sth: As you were
out, I left a message.
+ used to make a comment or to add information
about what you have just said: As you know, Julia
is leaving soon
+ used to say that in spite of sth being true, what
follows is also true SYN though: Happy as they
were, there was something missing. Try as he
might (= however hard he tried), he couldn’t open

4. So (conjunction)
+ used to show the reason for sth:
It was still painful so I went to see a doctor.
+ so (that … ) used to show the result of sth:
Nothing more was heard from him so that we
began to wonder if he was dead.
+ so (that … ) used to show the purpose of sth: But
I gave you a map so you wouldn’t get lost!
+ used to introduce the next part of a story: So
after shouting and screaming for an hour she
walked out in tears.
+ (informal) used to show that you think sth is not
important, especially after sb has criticized you for
it: So I had a couple of drinks on the way home.


+ (informal) used to introduce a comment or
a question: So, let’s see. What do we need to
take
+ (informal) used when you are making a
final statement: So, that’s it for today.
+ (informal) used in questions to refer to sth
that has just been said: So there’s nothing we
can do about it?
+ used when stating that two events,
situations, etc. are similar: Just as large
companies are having to cut back, so small
businesses are being forced to close.

5. Because (conjunction) for the
reason that: I did it because he told
me to.


6. Since (conjunction)
+ (used with the present perfect, past perfect
or simple present tense in the main clause)
from an event in the past until a later past
event, or until now: Cath hasn’t phoned since
she went to Berlin. It was the first time I’d
had visitors since I’d moved to London. It’s
twenty years since I’ve seen her. How long is
it since we last went to the theatre? C She had
been worrying ever since the letter arrived.
+ because; as: We thought that, since we were
in the area, we’d stop by and see them.


7. Although (conjunction)
+ used for introducing a statement that
makes the main statement in a sentence
seem surprising  SYN  Though:
Although the sun was shining it wasn’t
very warm.


+ used to mean ‘but’ or ‘however’ when you are
commenting on a statement: I felt he was wrong,

although I didn’t say so at the time. although / even
though / though: You can use these words to show
contrast between two clauses or two sentences. Though
is used more in spoken than in written English. You
can use although, even though and though at the
beginning of a sentence or clause that has a verb.
Notice where the commas go: Although/Even
though/Though everyone played well, we lost the
game. We lost the game, although / even though /
though everyone played well.You cannot use even on
its own at the beginning of a sentence or clause instead
of although, even though or though


8. And (conjunction) (used to connect
words or parts of sentences)
+ also; in addition to: bread and butter
+ added to SYN  plus: 5 and 5 makes 10.
+ then; following this: She came in and
took her coat off.
+ go, come, try, stay, etc. And used before a
verb instead of to, to show purpose: Go
and get me a pen please.
+ used to introduce a comment or a
question: ‘We talked for hours.’ ‘And what


+ as a result: Miss another class and
you’ll fail.
+ used between repeated words to show

that sth is repeated or continuing: He
tried and tried but without success.
+ used between repeated words to show
that there are important differences
between things or people of the same
kind: I like city life but there are cities
and cities. - see also and / or


9. Before (conjunction)
+ earlier than the time when: Do it
before you forget.
+ until: It may be many years before
the situation improves.
+ used to warn or threaten sb that
sth bad could happen: Put that away
before it gets broken.
+ (formal) rather than: I’d die before
I apologized!


10. After (conjunctionat) a time
later than sth; when sth has finished:
I’ll call you after I’ve spoken to
them. Several years after they’d split
up they met again by chance in Paris.


11. When (conjunction)
+ at or during the time that: I loved history

when I was at school.
+ after: Call me when you’ve finished.
+ at any time that; whenever: Can you spare
five minutes when it’s convenient?
+ just after which: He had just drifted off to
sleep when the phone rang.
+ considering that: How can they expect to
learn anything when they never listen?
+ although: She claimed to be 18, when I
know she’s only 16.


12. But (conjunction)
+ used to introduce a word or phrase that
contrasts with what was said before: I got
it wrong. It wasn’t the red one but the blue
one.
+ however; despite this: I’d asked
everybody but only two people came.
+ used when you are saying sorry about
sth: I’m sorry but I can’t stay any longer.
+ used to introduce a statement that shows
that you are surprised or annoyed, or that


+ used before repeating a word in
order to emphasize it: Nothing, but
nothing would make him change his
mind.
+ (literary) used to emphasize that

sth is always true: She never passed
her old home but she thought of the
happy years she had spent there (=
she always thought of them).


13. and / or (conjunction) (informal)
used when you say that two
situations exist together, or as an
alternative to each other: There is no
help for those with lots of luggage
and / or small children.


14. Since (conjunction)
+ (used with the present perfect, past
perfect or simple present tense in the
main clause) from an event in the
past until a later past event, or until
now: Cath hasn’t phoned since she
went to Berlin.
+ because; as: We thought that, since
we were in the area, we’d stop by and
see them.


1. ..... they were tired, they
worked overtime.
(A) Because
(B) In spite

(C) Since
(D) Although


Even though
In spite of
Although + (Clause) =
Though
Despite

NP
+ V-ing
the fact that + Clause