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Free SSC English lesson

SSC English Conjunctions

Choose the link that matches the message.

Conjunctions connect words, phrases or clauses. The correct link depends on both structure and meaning. A sentence can be grammatical with different conjunctions yet express different relationships, so read the relationship required by each question.

Foundation to intermediate12 original questions20–25 minutes suggested study time

Learn the methodGo to practice

Build the skill

What you will learn

  • Distinguish addition, alternatives, reason, result and contrast.
  • Use common time and condition links accurately.
  • Complete paired expressions without changing the intended relationship.

Identify the parts

Decide whether you are joining words, phrases or clauses.

Name the relationship

Is the second idea a reason, result, contrast, condition, alternative or time limit?

Check the structure

Test the words on both sides and complete any paired expression.

Reread the message

Confirm that the conjunction expresses the requested relationship rather than another possible story.

Understand before you answer

The rules and clues to remember

Addition and alternatives are different

And commonly adds information; or can offer alternatives. Both … and and either … or make those relationships explicit.

AdditionWe need both a map and a torch.
AlternativeChoose either the morning session or the afternoon session.

Remember: Do not turn a request for both items into a choice between them.

A reason and a result face in opposite directions

Because can introduce why something happened. So can introduce a result. Check which clause supplies the cause and which supplies its consequence.

ReasonThe road closed because the bridge was damaged.
ResultThe bridge was damaged, so the road closed.

Remember: A familiar linker is still wrong if it reverses the required relationship.

Contrast and concession need the right structure

But can join contrasting ideas. Although can introduce a clause expressing a fact despite which the main event occurred. In the standard pattern taught here, do not add a second but to an although construction.

ContrastThe task was short, but it was demanding.
ConcessionAlthough the task was short, it was demanding.

Remember: Although takes a clause in this pattern; despite can take a noun phrase and works differently.

Conditions and time links are not interchangeable

If introduces a condition. Unless commonly means except if in the straightforward condition patterns taught here. Before places one event earlier; until can mark the endpoint of a continuing situation or restriction.

ConditionYou may enter if you have a pass.
ExceptionWe will meet outside unless it rains.
EndpointWait here until the guide returns.

Remember: Identify exactly which event permits, prevents or ends the other.

Keep paired expressions balanced

Neither … nor links two negative alternatives. Not only … but also can add a second point with emphasis. Match comparable grammatical forms on both sides.

Negative pairNeither the lift nor the stairs were accessible.
Balanced additionShe not only drafted the notice but also checked it.

Remember: These are common standard patterns, not a claim that every conjunction has only one use.

See the reasoning

Two worked examples

Example 1

Offer one of two alternatives: You may choose either the red folder ___ the blue one. Options: or / nor / because / although.

Answeror

Either … or pairs the alternatives. Nor normally completes neither, not this either pattern. Because and although introduce different clause relationships and do not complete the paired choices.

Example 2

Introduce a reason: The team stayed indoors ___ the storm had begun. Options: because / although / unless / but.

Answerbecause

Because introduces the stated reason for staying indoors. Although would express concession; unless would introduce an exception condition; but would express contrast rather than the requested cause.

Try it yourself

12 questions, with every choice explained

Choose the conjunction or conjunction phrase that expresses the stated relationship and fits the complete sentence. Other links can sometimes make different grammatical sentences; they do not count if they change the required meaning.

Write down A, B, C or D before opening each answer. Work at your own pace. These exercises use no exam timer or negative marking.

Question 1 · Paired addition

Complete the paired addition: We need both pens ___ paper.

  1. A.and
  2. B.but
  3. C.or
  4. D.because
Show answer and explanations for question 1

Answer A: and

Completed textWe need both pens and paper.
  1. Correct. And completes both … and, including both items.
  2. Not correct. But does not complete this paired addition.
  3. Not correct. Or would offer alternatives rather than complete both … and.
  4. Not correct. Because does not join the two nouns as the requested paired addition.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 2 · Reason

Introduce the reason for postponement: The event was postponed ___ the hall was flooded.

  1. A.unless
  2. B.although
  3. C.because
  4. D.but
Show answer and explanations for question 2

Answer C: because

Completed textThe event was postponed because the hall was flooded.
  1. Not correct. Unless would introduce an exception condition rather than state the reason.
  2. Not correct. Although would express concession rather than the requested reason.
  3. Correct. Because introduces the flooding as the reason for postponement.
  4. Not correct. But expresses contrast, not the requested causal relationship.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 3 · Result

Introduce the result: The printer ran out of ink, ___ we replaced the cartridge.

  1. A.although
  2. B.so
  3. C.unless
  4. D.because
Show answer and explanations for question 3

Answer B: so

Completed textThe printer ran out of ink, so we replaced the cartridge.
  1. Not correct. Although would express concession rather than the required result.
  2. Correct. So presents replacement as the result of the ink running out.
  3. Not correct. Unless would introduce an exception condition, not the stated consequence.
  4. Not correct. Because would make replacement the reason for the ink running out, reversing the required relationship.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 4 · Contrast

Link the contrasting ideas: It was a small room, ___ it felt spacious.

  1. A.because
  2. B.so
  3. C.or
  4. D.but
Show answer and explanations for question 4

Answer D: but

Completed textIt was a small room, but it felt spacious.
  1. Not correct. Because would present a reason rather than the requested contrast.
  2. Not correct. So would present spaciousness as a result rather than express the requested contrast.
  3. Not correct. Or would present an alternative, not the stated contrast.
  4. Correct. But presents the contrast between small size and a spacious feeling.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 5 · Concession

Introduce a concession: ___ the road was steep, the cyclists continued without stopping.

  1. A.Because
  2. B.Although
  3. C.Unless
  4. D.So
Show answer and explanations for question 5

Answer B: Although

Completed textAlthough the road was steep, the cyclists continued without stopping.
  1. Not correct. Because would make the steepness the reason for continuing, not express the requested concession.
  2. Correct. Although introduces the steepness as a difficulty despite which the cyclists continued.
  3. Not correct. Unless would turn the first clause into an exception condition.
  4. Not correct. So does not introduce the concessive subordinate clause required here.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 6 · Alternative

Offer one drink as an alternative to the other: Would you like tea ___ coffee?

  1. A.or
  2. B.and
  3. C.because
  4. D.although
Show answer and explanations for question 6

Answer A: or

Completed textWould you like tea or coffee?
  1. Correct. Or offers the requested choice between the two drinks.
  2. Not correct. And would combine the drinks rather than offer one as an alternative to the other.
  3. Not correct. Because cannot introduce a reason with the bare noun coffee in this structure.
  4. Not correct. Although cannot introduce the required alternative with the bare noun coffee.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 7 · Permission condition

State a condition for permission: You can borrow the bicycle ___ you return it by six.

  1. A.so
  2. B.because
  3. C.although
  4. D.if
Show answer and explanations for question 7

Answer D: if

Completed textYou can borrow the bicycle if you return it by six.
  1. Not correct. So would present a result or purpose rather than the required permission condition.
  2. Not correct. Because would give a reason rather than state the required condition.
  3. Not correct. Although would express concession rather than the condition.
  4. Correct. If introduces returning by six as the condition of permission.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 8 · Except if

Choose the link meaning except if: We will go ahead ___ heavy rain makes the route unsafe.

  1. A.although
  2. B.if
  3. C.unless
  4. D.because
Show answer and explanations for question 8

Answer C: unless

Completed textWe will go ahead unless heavy rain makes the route unsafe.
  1. Not correct. Although would express concession and imply continuing despite the danger rather than give an exception.
  2. Not correct. If would make the unsafe rain a condition for going ahead, reversing the intended exception.
  3. Correct. Unless means except if in this straightforward condition, making unsafe rain the exception.
  4. Not correct. Because would make the unsafe rain a reason for going ahead, not the stated exception.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 9 · Earlier action

Packing must be completed before departure: Pack the tools ___ you leave the workshop.

  1. A.because
  2. B.after
  3. C.unless
  4. D.before
Show answer and explanations for question 9

Answer D: before

Completed textPack the tools before you leave the workshop.
  1. Not correct. Because would give a reason rather than express the required sequence.
  2. Not correct. After reverses the required sequence.
  3. Not correct. Unless would introduce an exception condition rather than place packing before departure.
  4. Correct. Before places packing earlier than leaving, as explicitly required.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 10 · Endpoint of a restriction

The instruction means wait up to the timer’s signal: Do not open the oven ___ the timer rings.

  1. A.because
  2. B.until
  3. C.although
  4. D.so
Show answer and explanations for question 10

Answer B: until

Completed textDo not open the oven until the timer rings.
  1. Not correct. Because would supply a reason, not the stated endpoint.
  2. Correct. Until marks the signal as the endpoint of the restriction on opening.
  3. Not correct. Although would express concession rather than the waiting limit.
  4. Not correct. So would express a result or purpose rather than the requested endpoint.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 11 · Paired negative alternatives

Complete the standard pair: The drawer contains neither pens ___ pencils.

  1. A.and
  2. B.or
  3. C.nor
  4. D.but
Show answer and explanations for question 11

Answer C: nor

Completed textThe drawer contains neither pens nor pencils.
  1. Not correct. And does not complete neither … nor.
  2. Not correct. Or does not complete the standard paired construction requested here.
  3. Correct. Nor completes the standard neither … nor pair.
  4. Not correct. But introduces a contrast rather than complete this paired negative.
Review the method ↑Next question ↓

Question 12 · Emphatic addition

Complete the standard emphatic pair: She not only labelled the boxes ___ checked their contents.

  1. A.but also
  2. B.or also
  3. C.nor also
  4. D.because also
Show answer and explanations for question 12

Answer A: but also

Completed textShe not only labelled the boxes but also checked their contents.
  1. Correct. But also completes not only … but also and links two parallel past-tense actions.
  2. Not correct. Or also introduces alternatives and does not complete the standard pair.
  3. Not correct. Nor also does not complete the not only construction.
  4. Not correct. Because also does not complete the paired addition or supply a full reason clause here.
Review the method ↑Review your learning ↓

Make the learning stick

Review what changed your answer

  1. Label each answer by the relationship it expresses.
  2. For a rejected conjunction, explain the different meaning it would create.
  3. Write two versions of one cause-and-result pair, using because in one and so in the other.

Keep a simple note: question number → your reason → the correct rule or evidence → one new example. A mistake is useful when you can explain the correction.

SSC English hub →SSC English Articles and Determiners →SSC English Pronouns →Cloze tests →

Original ESS learning material. Not official SSC questions or a previous-year paper. ESS is independent of SSC. These are untimed skill lessons, not full exam simulations.

References and exam scope

Scope: CGL 2026 Tier-II, Paper-I, Section-II; CHSL 2026 Tier-I and Tier-II English. These are topic lessons, not complete mocks. These topics are included in the linked SSC examination notices. The lesson wording, examples, passages and questions are original ESS teaching material. Check your exam’s current notice and subsequent corrections for its full syllabus, scoring and timing.

Sources reviewed: 3 November 2026. Study-time estimates are suggestions, not official exam limits.