Phrases and Idioms Conjunctional Phrases:
| Although (or though)…..yet | Although he worked hard yet he could not get through the examination. |
| As long as | He remained hale and hearty as long as he took exercise. |
| Both…..and | Both he and his servant turned up in time. |
| But for | But for your help (Had you not helped me) I would have failed. |
| Either…..or | Either he or his friend is guilty. |
| In case | In case (If) it rains, we will not go to school. |
| In order that | He works hard in order that (so that) he may get a first-class. |
| No sooner…..than | No sooner did we leave home than it began to rain. |
| Not to speak of | Not to speak of fruit, even vegetables are not available here. (Note: What to speak of is no expression in English.) |
| Rather…..than | I would rather die than bear this dishonour. |
| Such…..as | I like such boys as are honest and hard working. |
| The same as | This is the same book as we read last week. |
| Whether…..or | You shall have to pay the fine whether you like it or not. |
| Somehow or other | I managed somehow or other to get this post. |
Note 1: “No sooner” is followed by “than” and not “when”.
Note 2: “Scarcely” and “hardly” are followed by “when” or “before” but not “than”.
Note 3: When a sentence begins with ‘no sooner’, ‘hardly’ or ‘scarcely’ it takes the interrogative form without the interrogative sign.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| No sooner I went out than it began to rain. | No sooner did I go out than it began to rain. |
| Hardly I had stepped out when I saw a serpent. | Hardly had I stepped out when I saw a serpent. |
So…..as is used in the negative sentences only.
As…..as is used in both the negative and positive sentences.
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