Problems With Conjuctions

1.  Coordinating Conjunctions

    Connect words or phrases that have the same function in a sentence.

    a. And

       Joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses of similar function and is used to show
       addition. 

       Exmp: like peas and broad beans, soya beans grow in pods Soya beans and peas
                  have pods. 

      * note: when and joins two subjects, the verb is plural

    b. But

      Joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses and is used to show contrast. 

      Exmp: in the U.S, soya is not harvested by hand but by machine.

    c. Or

       Joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses and is used to give a choice. 

       Exmp : the beans may be yellow, green, brown, or mottled.

    d. So

       Joins a clause, does not join a single words or phrases, but it is used to show effect. 

       Exmp : the soybean is versatile, so it is grown widely.

2.  Correlative Conjunctions

     Like coordinating conjunctions, these words are used to join words, phrases, and clauses.

     Correlative conjunctions or paired conjunctions appear in two parts : 

     Either ...... or .... 

     Neither ..... nor ... 

     Both .... and .... 

     Not only .... but also ... 

     Whether .... or .... 

    Each of the pair of words should be followed by a word of the same grammatical form. 

           Either (noun) or (noun) 

           Not only (adj) but also (adj)

    a.  Either ... or

         It is used to indicate alternatives.
         Exmp : soya can be used in either fish feed or chicken feed.

   b.  Neither ... nor

        It is used to indicate negative alternatives. 

        Exmp : soya is dangerous to neither humans nor animals.

   c.  Both ... and

        It indicates addition. 

        Exmp : soya protein isolate is used in both meat and fish products.

   d.  Not only ... but also

        It emphasizes addition. 

        Exmp : soya is not only the most efficient but also the least costly sourse of protein.

   e.  Whether ... or

       It indicates a condition. 

       Exmp : whether it is in the print of a newspaper or the food we eat, our lives are touched 

                   by soya.

3. On the TOEFL test

   1.  Around 1910 chemists and manufacturers came to recognize the value of the soya
        bean,  _____ the great soya processing industry was born.

        (A). with         (B). but         (C). and         (D). or

   2.  The expansion of the industry was not only due to the world shortage of edible oils, 

         ____ to the second world war, which put traditional sources of protein in short supply.

        (A). but also         (B). as well as        (C). and so        (D). but also as