Grammar Notes

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

- for = because - and = too; in addition
- nor = and not - but/yet = however
- or = either - so = therefore
- We didn't order any more towels for we have plenty already.
- They worked quickly, and they finished on time.
- Frank did not get the job, nor did his friend Trish.
- He has a good job, but/yet he is not satisfied.
- We should try and recycle these folders or just order all new ones.
- Everyone was tired, so they adjourned the meeting.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

- Use so that, such . . . that, so . . . that, since, because, and now that to express reasons or cause and effect.

- Use the moment/instant that, as soon as, when, until, and till to express the time, instant, or period when something occurred.

- Use if, unless, provided, and as long as to express a condition.

- Use even if, even though, although, and though to express a concession.

- It was such a difficult exam that I could not finish it quickly.

- Now that it is Saturday, let's go shopping.

- The project was canceled because the builder breached the terms of the contract.

- The instant that she arrived, she started working.

- Please wait until the interviewer calls your name.

- As long as he submits a résumé, he will be considered for the position.

- Unless I complete a project management certification, I may lose my job.

- Although the project was not without its merits, we did not feel it would be profitable.

- Even if we reduce hiring by 10%, we will still run a deficit this financial year.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

- These are paired conjunctions used to connect two parallel grammatical items.

- Common correlative conjunctions include the following: both . . . and, either. . . or, neither. . . nor, not. . . but, not only. . . but also.

- We should either extend the deadline for the current project or postpone the
next project. (verb/verb - Either extend... or postpone...)

- Neither I nor my colleague will be available at that time to attend the meeting.
(noun/noun — Neither I nor my colleague)

4. Because vs. Because of

- Because is a conjunction used to connect two clauses.
- Because of is a prepositional phrase followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
- She felt extremely nervous because she was about to receive her annual evaluation.
- She felt extremely nervous because of her annual evaluation.

5- By vs. Until

- Both prepositions are used to indicate any time before but not later than (a certain point in time).
- By is used to indicate that something happens before a particular time.
- Until is used to indicate how long something happens.
- The report is due by Monday.
- I’ll be working on replacing the documents until Friday.