Pariksha SaathiConnectors & Conjunctions
The same idea — contrast, cause, condition — can be expressed with different connectors, but each one has a fixed grammatical requirement: some need a full clause after them, others need just a noun. Here’s the approach, six fully worked examples, and a few to try yourself.
Written by Mahesh Srivastava, Founder of Pariksha Saathi. Published: 2026-10-05. Editorial standards & corrections
The approach, quickly
- "Although," "though" and "even though" are followed by a full clause (a subject + verb): "Although it was raining..." "Despite" and "in spite of" are followed by a noun or gerund, never a clause: "Despite the rain..."
- "Because" is followed by a clause (a reason with its own subject + verb); "because of" is followed by a noun phrase, not a clause.
- "Unless" already means "if...not" — it introduces a negative condition by itself, so pairing it with another "not" creates a double negative.
- Check what follows the blank first — a full clause (subject + verb) or just a noun/noun phrase — since that alone rules out half the options in most of these questions.
- "So...that" is followed directly by an adjective or adverb ("so boring that..."), while "such...that" is followed by a noun phrase, optionally with an adjective in front of it ("such a boring movie that...") — "so a boring movie" is a common mistake.
Worked examples
1. Choose the correct connector: ___ it was raining heavily, they continued the match. (A) Despite (B) Although (C) Because of (D) Due to
Solution
- What follows is a full clause ("it was raining heavily") — "Although" is correct, since "Despite," "Because of" and "Due to" all need a noun phrase, not a clause.
Answer: Although
2. Choose the correct connector: ___ the heavy rain, they continued the match. (A) Although (B) Despite (C) Because (D) Since
Solution
- What follows is a noun phrase ("the heavy rain"), not a clause — "Despite" is correct, since "Although" needs a clause.
Answer: Despite
3. Choose the correct connector: She failed the exam ___ she had studied very hard. (A) because (B) although (C) despite (D) because of
Solution
- The sentence needs a contrast connector (failing despite studying hard is a contrast, not a cause), and what follows is a full clause — "although" is correct.
Answer: although
4. Choose the correct connector: You will miss the bus ___ you leave right now. (A) if (B) unless (C) despite (D) because
Solution
- The sentence means "if you don’t leave now" — "unless" already carries that negative condition by itself.
Answer: unless
5. Choose the correct connector: The lecture was ___ long that half the audience fell asleep. (A) so (B) such
Solution
- What follows is a plain adjective ("long"), not a noun phrase — "so" is correct.
Answer: so
6. Choose the correct connector: It was ___ a difficult question that nobody could answer it. (A) so (B) such
Solution
- What follows is a noun phrase ("a difficult question") — "such" is correct, not "so."
Answer: such
Try these yourself
Check whether a clause, a noun phrase, or a plain adjective follows the blank, then check against the answer.
1. Choose the correct connector: ___ his busy schedule, he always makes time for his family. (A) Although (B) Despite (C) Because (D) Since
Answer: Despite
2. Choose the correct connector: The flight was delayed ___ bad weather. (A) because (B) because of (C) although (D) unless
Answer: because of
3. Choose the correct connector: ___ you apologize, she will not forgive you. (A) If (B) Unless (C) Despite (D) Because
Answer: Unless
4. Choose the correct connector: She is ___ talented that she won three awards this year. (A) so (B) such
Answer: so
5. Choose the correct connector: He gave ___ a convincing speech that everyone applauded. (A) so (B) such
Answer: such
All 11 practice questions on Connectors and Conjunctions, with answers →
Where this comes up
Connectors and Conjunctions is tested directly in the English Language section of exams Pariksha Saathi covers — SSC CGL, SSC MTS, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO and SBI Clerk — most often through Fill in the Blanks and Sentence Improvement questions.
Keep practising
Solve the questions above before opening the answers. Explain each step in your own words, then revisit any mistakes.
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