Master Conjunctions for SBI PO Prelims: Advanced Rules & Sentence Connectors with 50+ Practice Questions

Rule 1: Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions — Non-negotiable for SBI PO

Rule: Not only…but also, Either…or, Neither…nor, Both…and — इनके बाद का structure हमेशा parallel होना चाहिए।

Rule 2: Inversion with “No sooner…than” — Past Perfect Mandatory

Rule: No sooner + had + subject + V3 + than + subject + V2 (Simple Past). Inversion होता है।

Rule 3: Inversion with “Hardly/Scarcely…when/before”

Rule: Hardly/Scarcely + had + subject + V3 + when/before + subject + V2.

Rule 4: “Not only…but also” — Inversion in First Clause

Rule: जब “Not only” sentence के start में आता है, तो inversion होता है।

Rule 5: “Both…and” — Always Plural Verb

Rule: Both X and Y — हमेशा plural verb लेता है।

Rule 6: “Unless” vs “If not” — Avoid Double Negative

Rule: Unless = if not. इसलिए unless के साथ “not” use नहीं करते।

Rule 7: “Lest” — Should का Use

Rule: Lest के साथ “should” use होता है, “not” नहीं। Lest का मतलब है “ऐसा न हो कि”

Rule 8: “While” vs “Whereas” — Contrast दिखाने के लिए

Rule: “While” time और contrast दोनों के लिए; “Whereas” केवल contrast के लिए। SBI PO में “whereas” को ज्यादा तरजीह दी जाती है।

Rule 9: “So…that” vs “Such…that” — Structure Matters

Rule: So + adjective/adverb + that; Such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + that

Rule 10: “As” — Multiple Uses (Time, Reason, Comparison)

Rule: “As” के कई uses हैं — time (जैसे), reason (क्योंकि), comparison (जैसा)। Context के according समझना जरूरी है।

Rule 11: “For” vs “Because” — Difference in Formality

Rule: “For” more formal है और second clause में reason देता है। “Because” direct reason देता है।

Rule 12: “Provided that” / “Providing that” — Condition

Rule: “Provided that” और “providing that” दोनों condition दिखाने के लिए use होते हैं।

Rule 13: “As long as” vs “So long as” — Both Acceptable

Rule: “As long as” और “so long as” दोनों condition के लिए use होते हैं, “as long as” ज्यादा common है।

Rule 14: “In case” vs “If” — Difference

Rule: “In case” = precaution (एहतियात), “If” = condition (शर्त)

Rule 15: “Until” vs “Unless” — Don’t Confuse

Rule: “Until” = time (तक), “Unless” = condition (अगर नहीं)

Rule 16: “Nevertheless” vs “Nonetheless” — Formal Contrast

Rule: दोनों का मतलब “फिर भी” है। “Nevertheless” ज्यादा common है।

Rule 17: “Consequently” vs “Subsequently” — Don’t Confuse

Rule: “Consequently” = result (परिणाम), “Subsequently” = later (बाद में)

Rule 18: “On the contrary” vs “On the other hand”

Rule: “On the contrary” का use पिछले statement को पूरी तरह reject करने के लिए; “On the other hand” केवल different perspective देने के लिए।

Rule 19: “Hence”, “Thus”, “Therefore” — Formal Results

Rule: तीनों result दिखाने के लिए। “Hence” और “thus” ज्यादा formal हैं।

Rule 20: “Whereas” in Legal/Formal Contexts

Rule: SBI PO में “whereas” का use legal/formal contrast के लिए होता है।

📚 Set 1: Correlative Conjunctions & Parallelism (15 Questions)

Directions: Correct the errors in parallelism.

1. She is not only beautiful but also has intelligence.
2. He not only speaks English but also he writes it.
3. Either you leave now or you will be late.
4. Neither the manager nor his assistants was present.
5. Both Ram and Shyam is guilty.
6. Not only he failed, but he also lost his money.
7. She is both talented and she works hard.
8. He is not only a good speaker but also writes well.
9. Either the students or the teacher are responsible.
10. Neither the food nor the drinks was served.
11. Both honesty and hard work is important.
12. She not only sings but also she dances.
13. Not only did he win the race, but also broke the record.
14. Neither the price nor the quality were satisfactory.
15. Either the painting or the photographs is for exhibition.

📚 Set 2: Inversion Rules (No sooner, Hardly, Scarcely) (10 Questions)

Directions: Correct the following sentences.

1. No sooner did the bell ring when the students rushed out.
2. Hardly I had left the house when it started raining.
3. Scarcely had he arrived then the meeting began.
4. No sooner had the train left then we reached the station.
5. Hardly had he finished his speech when the audience applauded.
6. No sooner did he see the police than he ran away.
7. Scarcely had the sun risen when the birds started singing.
8. No sooner had I closed the door than the phone rang.
9. Hardly had the meeting started when everyone left.
10. No sooner the match began than it started raining.

📚 Set 3: Sentence Connectors (15 Questions)

Directions: Choose the correct connector.

1. He worked very hard. _____, he succeeded. (However/Therefore/Moreover)
2. The traffic was terrible. _____, we reached on time. (Nevertheless/Consequently/Thus)
3. She is intelligent. _____, she is hardworking. (But/Moreover/However)
4. The company lost money. _____, they did not fire anyone. (Consequently/Nevertheless/So)
5. He is honest. _____, everyone trusts him. (However/Therefore/But)
6. The product is expensive. _____, it is of high quality. (So/Therefore/Nevertheless)
7. She didn’t study. _____, she failed. (Consequently/However/Moreover)
8. The hotel was cheap. _____, it was very clean. (But/Moreover/Nevertheless)
9. He is lazy. _____, his brother is hardworking. (Therefore/In contrast/Consequently)
10. The weather was bad. _____, we decided to stay home. (However/Therefore/Moreover)
11. He is very talented. _____, he is a genius. (However/In fact/Therefore)
12. Many countries, _____, India, have a rich culture. (for example/ however/ therefore)
13. _____, regular practice is essential for success. (In conclusion/Moreover/However)
14. First, mix the flour. _____, add the eggs. (Then/However/Therefore)
15. He is rich; _____, he is not happy. (therefore/however/moreover)

📚 Set 4: Subordinating Conjunctions (10 Questions)

Directions: Fill in the blanks with appropriate conjunctions.

1. ___ he was tired, he continued working. (Although/Because)
2. You will not pass ___ you work hard. (unless/until)
3. He failed ___ he didn’t study. (because/because of)
4. Wait here ___ I return. (until/unless)
5. He couldn’t attend the meeting ___ his illness. (because/because of)
6. I was sleeping ___ the phone rang. (while/when)
7. ___ I was cooking, he was watching TV. (While/When)
8. Walk carefully ___ you should fall. (lest/unless)
9. I will come ___ you invite me. (provided that/although)
10. Take an umbrella ___ it rains. (in case/if)