Chapter 7 · English Grammar

Conjunctions & Interjections

Beginner ⏱ 35–45 minutes 🎓 Grade 6

What you will be able to do

  • Define conjunctions and use them to join words and sentences
  • Use coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) correctly
  • Use common subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when)
  • Use correlative conjunctions in pairs (either…or)
  • Recognise interjections and punctuate them
Builds on / Related chapters
Grade 6 · Sentence Structure & Types

1 Quick Introduction

English

A conjunction is a joining word — it links words, phrases or sentences. An interjection is a short word that suddenly expresses feeling. In "Hurray! We won because we practised hard and stayed calm," Hurray is an interjection while because and and are conjunctions.

हिन्दी

समुच्चयबोधक (Conjunction) जोड़ने वाला शब्द है — यह शब्दों, वाक्यांशों या वाक्यों को जोड़ता है। विस्मयादिबोधक (Interjection) भावना अचानक प्रकट करने वाला शब्द है। "Hurray! We won because we practised hard and stayed calm" में Hurray विस्मयादिबोधक है, और because, and समुच्चयबोधक हैं।

2 A Real-Life Situation

Imagine this

Your friend shares news:

Friend: Wow! I got the scholarship because I worked hard, but I still need to fill the form and submit it today.

Why this form? Wow bursts out a feeling (interjection). Because, but, and stitch the ideas together (conjunctions). Together they make speech sound natural and connected.

3 The Grammar Rule

Rule & Formula
TypeJobExamples
Coordinatingjoin equal partsand, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
Subordinatingjoin a dependent clausebecause, although, when, if, since
Correlativework in pairseither…or, neither…nor, both…and
FANBOYS = For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
I was tired, so I rested; but I finished the work because it was urgent.

4 Coordinating, Subordinating & Correlative Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join two equal items — two words, two phrases or two independent clauses. Remember them as FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

  • Tea or coffee? (two words)
  • She studied hard, so she passed. (two clauses)

Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to a main clause and show a relationship — reason, time, condition, contrast: because, since, as, when, while, after, before, if, unless, although, though.

  • Although it rained, we played.

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs: either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also, whether…or.

  • Both Ravi and Sita came.
Visual — Coordinating, Subordinating & Correlative Conjunctions
I was tiredsoI restedA conjunction joins two ideasFANBOYS: for and nor but or yet so
1
Worked Example
Join with a conjunction: He is poor. He is honest.
Solution

He is poor but honest. — 'but' shows a contrast between the two ideas.

2
Worked Example
Complete the correlative pair: ___ Ravi ___ Sam was present; the room was empty.
Solution

Neither … nor — 'Neither Ravi nor Sam was present' fits the empty-room meaning.

Key Points

  • Coordinating (FANBOYS) join equal parts
  • Subordinating join a dependent clause and show reason/time/condition/contrast
  • Correlative conjunctions always come in pairs

5 Interjections & Their Punctuation

An interjection is a word or short phrase that expresses sudden emotion. It is grammatically separate from the rest of the sentence.

FeelingInterjections
JoyHurray! Yippee! Wow!
SurpriseOh! What! Really!
Sorrow / pityAlas! Oh no!
DisgustUgh! Yuck!
ApprovalBravo! Well done!

Punctuation: a strong interjection takes an exclamation mark (Wow!); a mild one takes a comma (Well, let me think).

1
Worked Example
Punctuate: Alas he failed the test
Solution

Alas! He failed the test. — 'Alas' expresses sorrow and takes an exclamation mark.

2
Worked Example
Which interjection shows joy? Ugh / Hurray / Alas
Solution

Hurray — it expresses joy or celebration.

Key Points

  • Interjections express sudden feeling and stand apart
  • Strong interjection → exclamation mark (Wow!)
  • Mild interjection → comma (Well, …)

6 Vocabulary Builder

WordMeaningहिन्दी
Conjunctiona joining wordसमुच्चयबोधक
Interjectiona word of sudden feelingविस्मयादिबोधक
Coordinatingjoining equal partsसमानता-सूचक
Subordinatedepending on a main clauseआश्रित
Correlativeworking in a pairयुग्म-रूपी
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.Which set lists only coordinating conjunctions?
Explanation: and, but, or, so are coordinating conjunctions (part of FANBOYS).

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ IncorrectAlthough he is rich, but he is unhappy.
✓ CorrectAlthough he is rich, he is unhappy.
Don't use 'although' and 'but' together; one is enough.
✗ IncorrectBecause he was ill, so he stayed home.
✓ CorrectBecause he was ill, he stayed home.
Don't pair 'because' with 'so'.
✗ IncorrectNeither Ravi or Sam came.
✓ CorrectNeither Ravi nor Sam came.
'Neither' pairs with 'nor', not 'or'.
✗ IncorrectWow he won the match.
✓ CorrectWow! He won the match.
A strong interjection needs an exclamation mark.

8 Practice Exercises

Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Fill in a suitable coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so).
  1. She was tired ______ happy.
  2. Hurry up ______ you will miss the bus.
  3. It was raining, ______ we stayed inside.
  4. I like tea ______ coffee.
  5. He tried hard ______ failed.
Answer Key
  1. but
  2. or
  3. so
  4. and
  5. but
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Fill in a subordinating or correlative conjunction.
  1. ______ it was late, we continued working. (contrast)
  2. I will call you ______ I reach home. (time)
  3. ______ you study, you will fail. (condition – if not)
  4. ______ Ravi ______ Sita can sing well. (both)
  5. He stayed home ______ he was unwell. (reason)
Answer Key
  1. Although / Though
  2. when / after
  3. Unless
  4. Both ... and
  5. because / as / since
Error Detection
  1. Although she tried, but she lost.
  2. Because it rained, so we cancelled the trip.
  3. Either he nor his brother came.
  4. Alas, he won the prize.
Answer Key
  1. Although she tried, she lost. (error: but)
  2. Because it rained, we cancelled the trip. (error: so)
  3. Either he or his brother came. (error: nor)
  4. Hurray! He won the prize. (error: Alas)
Sentence Correction
  1. Though he is poor but he is honest.
  2. Neither the boys or the girls were ready.
  3. Wow what a surprise.
Answer Key
  1. Though he is poor, he is honest.
  2. Neither the boys nor the girls were ready.
  3. Wow! What a surprise!
Rearrange the Words
  1. and / Ravi / came / both / Sita
  2. because / late / he / was / he / ran
  3. won / hurray / we / the / match
Answer Key
  1. Both Ravi and Sita came.
  2. He ran because he was late.
  3. Hurray! We won the match.
Match the Following
Column AColumn B
1. anda. interjection of sorrow
2. becauseb. coordinating conjunction
3. either…orc. correlative conjunction
4. Alas!d. subordinating conjunction
Answer Key
and → coordinating conjunctionbecause → subordinating conjunctioneither…or → correlative conjunctionAlas! → interjection of sorrow

9 Micro Quiz

✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.Which is a coordinating conjunction?
Explanation: 'but' is part of FANBOYS — coordinating.
Q2.Complete: 'Neither tea ___ coffee was served.'
Explanation: 'Neither' pairs with 'nor'.
Q3.Which word is an interjection?
Explanation: 'Ouch' expresses sudden pain — an interjection.
Q4.Choose the correct sentence.
Explanation: Don't use 'although' with 'but'.
Q5.'___! We lost the match.' Which interjection of sorrow fits?
Explanation: 'Alas' expresses sorrow.

10 Reading Practice

Wow! The school fair was wonderful. Both the dance and the drama were excellent, although the food stall ran out of samosas. "Alas!" cried Sam, "I came late, so I missed the magic show." Still, neither the heat nor the crowd could spoil the fun.

Comprehension Questions
  1. Pick out one interjection from the passage.
  2. Find a correlative pair of conjunctions.
  3. Which subordinating conjunction shows contrast?
Answer Key
  1. Wow! (also 'Alas!') — it expresses sudden feeling.
  2. Both … and (also 'neither … nor').
  3. although — it contrasts the good fair with the food running out.

11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use

Say these aloud
  • I like tea and biscuits.
  • Hurry up, or we will be late.
  • Although it was cold, we went out.
  • Neither he nor she was present.
  • Wow! That was an amazing goal!
Write five sentences about a school event, using and, but, because, a correlative pair, and one interjection.
Example: Hurray! We won the quiz. Both teams played well, but we scored more because we stayed calm.

12 Challenge Zone

🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Identify the error: 'No sooner he arrived than the bell rang.'
Explanation: After 'No sooner', use inversion: 'No sooner did he arrive than …'.
Q2.Choose the correct correlative structure.
Explanation: 'not only … but also' must keep parallel verbs: sings … dances.
Q3.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Explanation: A mild interjection 'Well' takes a comma.

13 Chapter Mind Map

Mind Map
     CONJUNCTIONS & INTERJECTIONS
                |
   +------------+------------+
   |                         |
 CONJUNCTIONS           INTERJECTIONS
 coordinating (FANBOYS)  joy: Hurray!
 subordinating (because) surprise: Oh!
 correlative (either-or) sorrow: Alas!
                         ! or , to punctuate

14 One-Minute Revision

Remember these

  • A conjunction joins words, phrases or sentences
  • Coordinating = FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
  • Subordinating join a dependent clause (because, although, when, if)
  • Correlative come in pairs (either…or, neither…nor, both…and)
  • An interjection shows sudden feeling: strong → ! , mild → ,