Connectives

There are many kinds of connectives, which connect clauses to show different things like cause, effect, time, place, purpose and so on. In this lesson, we will discuss the connectives and their uses in detail.

1. AS/ BECAUSE/ SINCE: These reason connectives are used to link a statement/ action and a reason.

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

Note: (Action/ Statement + as/ because/ since + Reason Statement (SV/O)

It is, therefore, 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, the 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).

Sarita failed her exam because of her carelessness.
Because of her poverty, she couldn’t buy any books.

Note: Action/ Statement + because of + Reason (NP)

3. TO/ IN ORDER TO: The purpose connectives connect actions and purposes.

They work hard to pass the exam.
Radha went to the bank in order to get money.

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

4. SO THAT: This purpose connective also links an action and a purpose, but the purpose should be a clause.
Example. Students go to the library so that they can read books.

6. IN SPITE OF/ DESPITE. These connectives also link a situation and an unexpected result; the situation should be a noun phrase (NP).

Gopal refused to eat in spite of his hunger.
Despite her intelligence, Rama failed her exam.

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

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

I was there yesterday; , I didn’t talk to her. English is an interesting subject; , it takes a long time to learn it.

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. i.e. Geeta who lives in the hostel is a good player.

is used for a person as an objective case. i.e. Karna whom everyone loves is a singer.
is used for a person as a possessive case. i.e. Bina whose house is far works in our office.
is used for place as a place adverb. i.e. I don’t know the spot where he got the accident.
is used for things / place as a subjective or objective case. i.e. The story which you told was interesting. Kathmandu which is the capital is the largest city in Nepal.
is used for things (a fact) as a subjective/objective case. i.e. I told him what I knew about the incident. I gave him what you wanted.
These are reason connectives which join a statement and a reason.
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. It joins an action and a purpose.
: It is a time connective that joins two actions: first action and second action.
They played football until/ till 4 am.
They had written homework until it was four.
It is used to join two opposing or contrasting statements.

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

'AND', 'AS WELL AS' These connectives join where the meaning 'is also'.

Rita and Hari went to school.
She ate an egg as well as two apples.

Exercise

She couldn't attend her class………her illness.( because of/ therefore/ in spite of)
………….strong wind, they climbed the mountain.( Because/ Because of / in spite of)
Monika…………..I like very much has recently written a book. ( whom/ whose/ what)
Ram met me late evening yesterday,…….he didn't give me back my umbrella.( though/ therefore/ however)
I don't know the girl………….is singing the song. (who/ whose/ whom)
She got up early……..she could go to temple.(so/however/ so that)
He lost his way………his weak eyesight (so that/ however/ due to)
She is happy………..she is poor.( however/ though/ even)
………her cleverness, she couldn't puzzle me.(Despite/ In order to/ Because of)
She tried hard,…………she didn't get success.( though/ however/ so)
The girl……..hair is long works in a bank. (who/ whose/ whom)
I was born in Pokhara……..is very beautiful city. (which/ where/ who)
The pen………….is on the table is mine. (where/ which/ who)
The city…..we can see many temples is Kathmandu. (which/ where/ what)
The time…….I usually get up is 4:30 a. m. (what/ which/ when)
…………..I want to know is your personality.( What/ Who/ Whom)
You will be punished for………..you have done.(what/ when / while)
I went to doctor……….some medicines.(because/ for / to)
Rita was lazy, ………..she failed the exams.( however/ despite/ therefore)
I cannot eat this food…………….I never eat meat.(but / although/since)
Prem was not only teacher………………..my uncle. (but also/ as well as / along with)
He passed math, ……..he failed English.( but/ however/ therefore)
I went to the city………buy some fruits.( for/ to / because of)
………he was late, he missed his school bus.( Before/ As/ Until)
Ravi often goes to river…….swim.( so that/ in order to/ because)
They are happy……..they go.(where/ wherever/ which)
We go to bank………..withdrawing money. (in order to/ for/ because of)
The school was closed……..strike.( because of/ in spite of/ in order to)
Our flight was cancelled……….poor visibility.(in spite of/because / because of)
God helps those………..help themselves.(which/ what/ who)