Conjunctions and Adverbial Clauses Advanced Level MCQs Test With Answers 1

Much as means 'although' and is used with verbs of liking and disliking: Much as I dislike sentimental films, … It introduces a contrast with the second clause. Not However: it would need an adjective or adverb after it (However much I dislike…).

The second clause is a result of the first: she is fed up with sharing, so she is looking for her own flat. Therefore links a cause to its result. Not moreover, which only adds another point.

On the contrary rejects a negative idea and gives the opposite as the truth: he is not unhappy there; in fact, he has enjoyed it. Not on the other hand, which compares two different sides of a situation without rejecting either.

Neither … nor makes both adjectives negative: the plan is not costly and not painful. That is why 'anyone can follow it with ease'. Not not only … but also, which would describe the plan as both costly and painful.

Despite is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun phrase: despite her illness leaving her very weak. Not Although, which must be followed by a full clause with a finite verb (Although her illness leaves her…).

Hardly … when shows that one action happened immediately after another, usually with the past perfect: She had hardly placed the plate … when the children… Other correlative pairs such as no sooner need than, not when.

No matter how many means 'it doesn't matter how many'. Here: however many windows I open, the result is the same. Not However, because how is already in the sentence (However how many is wrong).

In case means 'as a precaution because something might happen'. We take the blanket now because it might get cold later. Not so that, which shows purpose: we don't take a blanket so that it gets cooler.

Although is a conjunction that introduces a full clause of contrast: Although they played better…, they lost. Not Despite, which must be followed by a noun or -ing form (Despite playing better…).

Whichever + noun means 'it doesn't matter which one': Whichever channel you watch… Not No matter, which would need which after it (No matter which channel…).

In order to + base verb shows purpose: they are building a second airport in order to relieve the burden on the first. Not In case, which must be followed by a clause, not a base verb.

Either … or shows a choice between two things: students must choose either French or Spanish. Not neither … nor, because the students do study one of the languages, and choose needs a positive choice.

Before + clause shows that one action comes first: let me ask you now, and then we will discuss the details. Not Afterwards, which is an adverb and cannot join two clauses.

Whereas is a conjunction that contrasts two facts in one sentence: the west is wild, whereas the east is farmland. Not nevertheless, which shows a surprising result and needs a semicolon or full stop before it.

As long as means 'on condition that': the boys can go as long as they promise to stay together. Not whether, which introduces two possibilities, not a condition.

Thanks to + noun gives a positive cause: the cast looked great because of the mothers' efforts. Not Despite, which would show contrast, and As a result would need of.

So + adjective + that shows a result: he was so well-liked that everybody gave generously. The second clause is a result of how popular he was.

As + adjective + as makes a comparison of equality: just as calm as anybody could be. Here it means he was as calm as it was possible for anyone to be. Not so … that, because the second part is a comparison, not a result clause.

Not only at the start of a sentence needs inversion (Not only does the Society help…), and it is followed by but (… as well / also). The words as well at the end replace also. Not No sooner … than, which is about time, not addition.

Owing to + noun means 'because of': students have access to the Internet because of Internet cafes. Not In order that, which must be followed by a clause and shows purpose.

On the contrary follows a negative statement and gives the opposite fact: bears don't attack us; in fact, they run away. Not On the other hand, which compares two sides of a situation rather than reinforcing the first statement.

The present perfect continuous has been looking goes with since + a past point in time: since she accepted her new job. Not when, which refers to a single moment and doesn't fit a situation continuing until now.

Due to + noun means 'because of': due to the renovation. Not Because, which needs of before a noun (Because of the renovation).

Once means 'as soon as / after': the traffic gets lighter after the schools have closed. The present perfect have closed shows a completed action, which fits once. Not while, which describes something happening at the same time.

When introduces the time of a future event, using the present simple: When your mother comes, we must remember… Not By the time, which suggests we must remember before she arrives, which doesn't fit giving her things during the visit.

For as a conjunction means 'because' (formal), and it comes after a comma: you must watch the time, for staying too long is dangerous. Not so, which introduces a result, not a reason.

As here means 'because': please answer the phone as the receptionist has gone to the dentist. Not so, which would introduce a result, but here the second clause is the reason.

Nonetheless means 'in spite of this' and is used after a semicolon: they had a warning; nonetheless, people were injured. Not even though, which is a conjunction and cannot follow a semicolon and comma like this.

Whatever means 'it doesn't matter what': Whatever the authorities try, the crime rate stays high. Not No matter, which would need what (No matter what the authorities try).

In spite of + noun phrase shows contrast: there was a lot of trade in spite of vast distances. Not Even though, which needs a full clause with a verb.

Owing to + noun (the fact that…) means 'because of'. The café is popular because it is close and cheap. Not Because or On account, which would need of before a noun.

However introduces a contrast and is used after a semicolon with a comma after it: there are many jellyfish; however, they are harmless. Not consequently, because being harmless is not a result of there being many jellyfish.

As here means 'while / during the time that': the children didn't get bored as we drove. Not during, which is a preposition and must be followed by a noun (during the drive).

So introduces a result: he was tired of commuting, so he was excited about a local job. Not as or for, which would introduce a reason, not a result.

No matter how much means 'however much': his protests made no difference. Not whatever, because how already follows the gap (whatever how much is wrong).

Even though + clause shows strong contrast: it was very windy, but we still played. Not In spite of, which needs a noun or -ing form (In spite of the wind).

So introduces a result: we are leaving at dawn, so we have loaded the car tonight. Not because, which would make the loading the reason for leaving early, which is illogical.

While + clause means 'during the time that': we moved while the carpet was being fitted. Not during, which needs a noun (during the fitting of the carpet).

Not … until means the action will happen only after another one is finished: we can move back only after the workmen have cleared up. Not while, which means at the same time.

Despite + noun shows contrast: he got a degree even with his disability. Not though, which needs a clause with a verb after it.

Because + clause gives the reason: the centre is crowded because its facilities are excellent. Not Despite, which needs a noun, and the meaning is cause, not contrast.

In contrast to + noun compares two different things: farmers' irregular hours versus office workers' fixed hours. Not on the other hand, which is a linking adverb and cannot be followed directly by a noun phrase like this.

The more … the more shows that two things change together: The more we scrubbed, the more obvious it became… The second more goes with the adjective obvious.

The present perfect continuous has been doing goes with since + past event: since he opened his school. Not when, which refers to a single moment, not a period up to now.

Unlike + noun shows a difference: the reality is different from the way they are portrayed. Not Although, which needs a full clause, not a noun phrase.

Now that means 'because now': people are more aware of the cruelty, so dealers find fewer buyers. Not Because of, which needs a noun, not a clause.

No sooner … than shows one action happened immediately after another, usually with the past perfect: He had no sooner opened the doors than a customer came in.

While + -ing means 'during the time that': I read while travelling to work. Not instead of, which would mean I read rather than travel.

After + present perfect shows a finished action before the next one: turn it off after you have used it. Not Before, which is illogical with turning it off.

After + -ing shows the order of actions: he hardly touched his dinner, and then went to bed. Not before, which would mean he ate after going to bed.

Thus means 'as a result' and follows a semicolon: people lie; thus, results are inaccurate. Not however, because the second clause is a result, not a contrast.

So + adjective + that shows a result: they are so patriotic that the flag flies over many homes.

Due to + noun (the fact that…) means 'caused by' and can follow be: The ban is due to… Not because, which would need of before a noun.

Just as means 'at exactly the moment when': the alarm rang the moment we sat down. Not Hardly, which needs had + inversion and when (Hardly had we sat down when…).

Besides + -ing means 'in addition to': Besides being an artist, he was also a sculptor. Not Moreover, which is a linking adverb and cannot be followed by an -ing form.