At conjunctions are terms used to link two sentences or words of the same grammatical value establishing a relationship between them. Conjunctive phrases are two or more words that have the value of conjunction.
Test your knowledge on this topic and check out the comments from our expert teachers.
question 1
(PUC-SP) Check the alternative that can replace, in order, the transition particles of the periods below, without changing their meaning.
"In (first of all), let's look at the grandfather. (Likewise), let's take a look at the grandmother. (Also) the father must be watched. All are tall and dark. (Consequently), the daughter will also be dark and tall."
a) first, in addition, in addition, in short
b) above all, also, analogously, finally
c) primarily, similarly, second, therefore
d) first of all, likewise, on the other hand, therefore
e) no doubt intentionally, on the contrary, in effect.
Correct alternative d) first of all, in the same way, on the other hand, therefore
"First of all, let's look at the grandfather. Likewise, let us take a look at the grandmother. On the other hand, the father must be watched. All are tall and dark. Therefore, the daughter will also be dark and tall.."
The best way to solve this exercise is by the method of exclusion:
- "without a doubt" (alternative e) is the only one that does not make sense at the beginning of the first sentence and, therefore, can be excluded.
- All remaining alternatives could be used in the second clause.
- It makes no sense to complete the third sentence with "second" (alternative c). Thus, this alternative can also be excluded.
- We are left with alternatives "a", "b" and "d".
- The phrase "in short" (alternative a) indicates summary and "finally" (alternative b) indicates conclusion. These are not the meanings expected in the fourth sentence. "Therefore" (alternative d) is the best way to introduce the last sentence, after all it is the only one that brings the idea of consequence.
question 2
(Enem-2014)
Miss Universe: "Racist People Should Seek Help"
SAO PAULO - Leila Lopes, 25, is not the first black woman to receive the Miss Universe banner. The first place went to Janelle "Penny" Commissiong, from Trinidad and Tobago, who won the competition in 1977. After her came Chelsi Smith, from the United States, in 1995; Wendy Fitzwilliam, also from Trinidad and Tobago, in 1998, and Mpule Kwelagobe, from Botswana, in 1999. In 1986, Deise Nunes, from Rio Grande do Sul, who was the first black woman to be elected Miss Brasil, came in sixth place in the overall classification. Even so, human stupidity causes, from time to time, prejudiced manifestations to appear, such as that of a Brazilian website that, on the eve of the competition, and taking advantage of the anonymity of those who created it, issued opinions such as "How can anyone find a beautiful black woman?" After receiving the title, the most beautiful woman in the world - who has Portuguese as mother tongue and also speaks fluent English - he said what he thinks of attitudes like this and also about how his achievement can help the needy in Angola and others countries.
COSTA, D. Available in: http://oglobo.globo.com. Accessed on: Sep 10, 2011 (adapted)
The use of the expression "yet" present in this text is intended to
a) criticize the content of the factual information provided so far.
b) question the validity of the ideas presented above.
c) prove the veracity of the information previously expressed.
d) introduce arguments that reinforce what was said above.
e) emphasize the inconsistency between what is said before and what comes after.
Correct alternative e) emphasize the inconsistency between what is said before and what comes next.
The text begins by citing a series of black Miss Universe contest winners. Then he talks about the racism that still exists.
question 3
(PUC-SP) In the period: "From his own throat came a cry of admiration, which Cirino followed, although with less enthusiasm", the highlighted word expresses an idea of:
the explanation
b) grant
c) comparison
d) mode
e) consequence
Correct alternative b) concession
The conjunction "although" brings the idea of opposition between related clauses. That's because granting is synonymous with permission.
In grammatical terms, it is permission to do something contrary to what is stated in the main clause (screaming in admiration, but with less enthusiasm).
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of explanation: because, because, because.
c) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of comparison: how, what, what.
d) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of mode: as, as, as such.
e) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of consequence: therefore, therefore, that.
question 4
(Enem-2010)
Anna's children were good, a true and juicy thing. They grew up, took a bath, demanded for themselves, naughty, moments more and more complete. To bursts. The heat was strong in the apartment they were slowly paying for. But the wind whipping at the curtains she'd cut herself reminded her that if she wanted to, she could stop and wipe her forehead, looking at the calm horizon. Like a farmer. She had planted the seeds in her hand, not others, but these only.
LISPECTOR, C. Family relationships. Rio de Janeiro: Rocco, 1998.
The author uses the connective twice but in the presented fragment. Observing aspects of the organization, structuring and functionality of the elements that articulate the text, the connective but
a) expresses the same content in the two situations in which it appears in the text.
b) breaks the fluidity of the text and impairs comprehension, if used at the beginning of the sentence.
c) occupies a fixed position, and its use in the opening of the sentence is inadequate.
d) contains an idea of temporal sequence that directs the reader's conclusion.
e) assumes distinct discursive functions in the two contexts of use.
Correct alternative e) assumes distinct discursive functions in the two contexts of use.
In its first appearance, the connective "but" brings the idea of compensation (it's hot, but there's wind). In the second, in turn, "but" is used to emphasize "the seeds she had in her hand".
question 5
(UFPB-2010) In the fragment “Life gained in quality, extending youth, without losing the benefits of welcome longevity [...]", the highlighted prayer expresses the idea of:
the condition
b) Consequence
c) Concession
d) Comparison
e) Cause
Correct alternative c) Concession
Grant is synonymous with permission. This means that life gained quality and granted longevity benefits.
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of condition: case, eventually, if.
b) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of consequence: since, therefore, that.
d) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of comparison: as, equally, second.
e) Examples of conjunctions that bring the idea of cause: because, because, seen as.
question 6
(PUC-SP) In: “… there were wide yawns, strong as the lapping of the waves…” the particle like expresses an idea of:
a) comparison
b) cause
c) explanation
d) conclusion
e) proportion
Correct alternative a) comparison
The conjunction "how" is playing the role of comparing the strong yawns with the lapping of waves.
Other examples of comparative conjunctions that could be used:
“… there were wide, strong yawns as the lapping of the waves...”
“… there were wide, strong yawns such as the lapping of the waves...”
question 7
(UEL-PR) I didn't like police soap operas very much; he admired, however, the technique of its authors. Start with: I admired the technique...
a) seen as
b) while
c) while
d) because
e) as
Correct alternative c) however
He admired the technique of its authors, although he was not very fond of detective novels.
"Although" is a concessive conjunction. She admits a contrary fact (admiring the technique, but not liking the soap operas).
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) "seen as" is a causal conjunction.
b) "while" is a conjunction of time or proportion.
d) "because" is an explanatory or causal conjunction.
e) "as" is a proportional conjunction.
question 8
(Fuvest-SP) "They can accuse me: I have a clear conscience." The colon (:) of the period above could be replaced by a comma, making the connection between the two clauses explicit by the conjunction:
a) therefore
b) and
c) how
d) because
e) though
Correct alternative d) because.
The conjunction "because" is explanatory. Thus, in prayer it is clarified that someone can be accused because that someone has a clear conscience.
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) "therefore" can bring the idea of consequence, among others.
b) "and" can bring the idea of consequence, among others.
c) "how" can bring the idea of cause or comparison, among others.
e) "although" brings the idea of concession.
question 9
(Mackenzie-SP) Tick “how” assumes the same function that it plays in “as a pirate was brought to your presence”.
a) How did you get here?
b) As everyone can see, the situation is not the best.
c) Not only read the books listed, but also others of personal interest.
d) As he didn't call, I decided to look for him personally.
e) The architect designed the garden exactly as asked.
Correct alternative d) As he didn't call, I decided to look for him personally.
In this case, the conjunction "how" brings the idea of cause.
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) Brings the idea of way or form: In what way did you manage to get there?
b) It brings the idea of conformity: As everyone can see...
c) Brings the idea of addition: Not only did you read the indicated books, but also others.
e) Brings the idea of similarity or conformity: The architect designed the garden in exactly the same way as asked.
question 10
(Fuvest-SP) "That you don't ask for a dialogue of love, of course, as long as you impose the midlife clause."
The highlighted segment could be replaced, without changing the meaning of the sentence, by:
a) as long as you impose.
b) although you impose.
c) as long as you impose.
d) however imposed.
e) because you impose.
Correct alternative e) as you impose.
"That you don't ask for a love dialogue, of course, because you impose the middle age clause."
"Since" is a conjunctive phrase that expresses condition.
In the other alternatives, we have:
a) "Impões" is in the second person singular (you), just like "impose". However, "impose" is in the present tense and "impose" is in the present tense of the subjunctive.
b) "Although" is a conjunctive phrase that expresses concession, permission.
c) "As long as" is a conjunctive phrase that expresses condition. Despite this, in addition to not having the same meaning as "since", the verb "to impose" is conjugated in the subjunctive way and not in the indicative, as in the highlighted clause.
d) "Although" is a conjunctive phrase that expresses concession, permission.
question 11
(Enem-2016)
Common sense is that only human beings are capable of laughing. This is not true?
Do not. Basic laughter—that of play, fun, physical expression of laughter, face movement, and vocalization—we share with many animals. In rats, ultrasonic vocalizations have been observed — which we are not able to perceive — and which they emit when they are playing “rolling on the floor”. If the scientist happens to cause damage in a specific place in the brain, the rat stops making this vocalization and the game turns into a serious fight. Without the laugh, the other thinks he is being attacked. What sets us apart from animals is that we don't just have this basic mechanism. We have a more evolved one. Animals have a sense of play, like us, but they don't have a sense of humor. The cortex, the surface part of their brain, is not as evolved as ours. We have cortical mechanisms that allow us, for example, to interpret a joke.
Available in: http://globonews.globo.com. Accessed on: 31 May 2012 (adapted).
Textual cohesion is responsible for establishing relationships between parts of the text. Analyzing the excerpt “If the scientist happens to cause damage in a specific place in the brain”, it is verified that he establishes with the following sentence a relationship of
a) purpose, because the damage caused to the brain is intended to cause the rats' lack of vocalization.
b) opposition, since the damage caused to a specific location in the brain is contrary to the vocalization of rats.
c) condition, as it is necessary to have a specific lesion in the brain so that there is no vocalization of the rats.
d) consequence, since the reason for no more vocalization in rats is the damage caused to the brain.
e) proportion, since as the brain is injured, it is no longer possible for rats to vocalize.
Correct alternative c) condition, as it is necessary to have a specific lesion in the brain so that there is no vocalization of the rats.
The gerund "happening" in this case expresses a condition. It's like saying, "If the scientist causes damage to a specific location in the brain..."
question 12
(UFMS-2010) Note the use of conjunctions in the periods below.
I. Sometimes Maria studies History, sometimes she listens to music.
II. Either you study history, or you listen to music.
III. If you're going to study history, you won't listen to music.
IV. If you are going to listen to music, you will not study history.
Taking into account that the conjunction is one of the linguistic elements responsible for the argumentative orientation of the discourse, it is correct to state:
1) The sense of alternation only occurs in the case of I, as it is possible for the person, in the case of Maria, to do both: study and listen to music.
2) In II, III and IV there is no possibility of both things happening, because there is the idea of an explicit exclusion, marked both by the conjunction “or” and by the conjunction “if”.
4) The idea of alternation is present in all periods, since these are periods composed of alternative subordinate clauses.
8) The alternation is clear in II, III and IV, which are periods whose clauses are classified as “conditional”.
16) The conjunction “or” does not always express exclusion.
Correct alternatives:
2) In II, III and IV there is no possibility of both things happening, because there is the idea of an explicit exclusion, marked both by the conjunction “or” and by the conjunction “if”.
In I, studying and listening to music are tasks that can be performed alternately. "Ora" is an alternative conjunctive phrase.
16) The conjunction “or” does not always express exclusion.
The conjunction "or" can also indicate alternative and substitution.
question 13
(Enem-2014)
Assignment
Bite the bitter fruit and do not spit
But tell others how bitter it is
Fulfill the unfair deal and not fail
But warning others how unfair it is
Suffer the fake scheme and don't give in
But tell others how false it is.
Also say that things are changeable...
And when in many not to pulse
— from the bitter and unfair and false to change —
so trusting exhausted people with the plan
of a new and much more human world.
CAMPOS, G. Assignment. Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Civilization, 1981.
In the organization of the poem, the uses of the conjunction “but” articulate, in addition to its syntactic function,
a) the link between semantically similar verbs.
b) the opposition between apparently irreconcilable actions.
c) the introduction of the strongest argument of a sequence.
d) the reinforcement of the cause presented in the introductory statement.
e) the intensity of social problems present in the world.
Correct alternative c) the introduction of the strongest argument of a sequence.
The title of the poem is "task", which is understood as warning others of the difficult actions performed.
The author proposes the sequences "biting the fruit, keeping the deal and suffering the scheme, but notifying others".
question 14
(Fuvest-SP) In the sentences below, each dotted space corresponds to a removed conjunction.
- "But already five suns had passed (...) from there we left."
- (...) I was sick, I missed school.
- (...) there are bad ones, not for that reason we should not disbelieve the good ones.
- Pedro will be approved (...) study.
- (...) rain, I will leave the house.
The conjunctions removed are, respectively:
a) when, though, even if, as long as, even if.
b) that, like, though, as long as, even though.
c) how, that, why, even that, since.
d) that, even though, though, like, as soon as.
e) that, when, although, since, since
Correct alternative b): that, like, although, as long as, even that.
- "But already five suns were passed what from there we left." (expresses explanation)
- Like I was sick I missed school. (expresses cause)
- Although there are bad ones, nor should we disbelieve the good ones. (expresses concession, contrast)
- Peter will be approved since study. (expresses condition)
- Even if rain I will leave the house. (expresses concession, contrast)
question 15
(Enem-2015)
shyness
Being a notorious shy is a contradiction in terms. The shy is terrified of being noticed, let alone being notorious. If he was notorious for being shy, then he has to explain himself. After all, what resounding shyness is this that attracts so much attention? If he was notorious despite being shy, maybe he was cheating along with the others and his shyness is just a ploy to get noticed. So secret even he doesn't know. It's like in the psychoanalytic paradox, only someone who thinks he is very superior goes to the analyst to treat an inferiority complex, because he alone thinks that feeling inferior is a disease.
[...]
The shy one tries to convince himself that he only has problems with crowds, but this is no advantage. For the shy, two people are a crowd. When he can't escape and find himself in front of an audience, the shy person doesn't think of audience members as individuals. He multiplies them by four, as each individual has two eyes and two ears. Four ways, therefore, to receive your gaffes. It's no use asking the audience to close their eyes, or cover one eye and one ear to cut the shy's discomfort in half. Nothing works. The shy person, in short, is a person convinced that he is the center of the Universe, and that his vexation will still be remembered when the stars turn to dust.
VERISSIMO, L. F. Comedies to read at school. Rio de Janeiro: Objective, 2001.
Among the textual progression strategies present in this excerpt, the use of connecting elements is identified. The elements that show similar notions are highlighted in:
a) “If he became notorious for being shy "and "[...] then he has to explain himself".
b) "[...] then you have to explain" and "[...] when the stars turn to dust".
c) "[...] became notorious despite being shy[...]" and "[...] but this is not an advantage [...]".
d) “[...] a stratagem to be noticed [...]” and “So secret that he doesn't even know”.
e) “[...] as in the psychoanalytic paradox [...]" and "[...] because only he thinks [...]".
Correct alternative c) "[...] became notorious despite being shy[...]" and "[...] but this is not an advantage [...]".
"In spite of" and "but" introduce facts contrary to the main clause, that is, they express concession.
As for the remaining alternatives:
a) "If" and "then" express, respectively, condition and conclusion.
b) "Then" and "when" express, respectively, conclusion and temporality.
d) "For" and "like" express, respectively, purpose and addition.
e) "How" and "because" express, respectively, comparison and explanation.
question 16
Coordinating conjunctions are those that connect two independent clauses. The alternative below that no contains this kind of conjunction is
a) My friend is smarter than I am.
b) Arrived late, but managed to attend class.
c) Sonia doesn't like pasta or gnocchi.
d) It rains a lot, so we're not going to the beach today.
e) she didn't go to school because she was sick.
Correct alternative a) My friend is smarter than I am.
The correct option presents a comparative subordinative conjunction “than” which expresses the idea of comparison.
In the other alternatives, we have:
b) however - adversative coordinating conjunction that expresses opposition, contrast.
c) nor - additive coordinative conjunction that expresses addition, addition.
d) therefore - conclusive coordinating conjunction that expresses a conclusion.
e) because - explanatory coordinating conjunction that expresses reason, motive.
question 17
“if it doesn't rain, I'll go to church”. The highlighted term is a conjunction
a) conclusive coordinator
b) explanatory coordinator
c) adversative coordination
d) temporal subordination
e) conditional subordinative
correct alternative e) conditional subordinative
The prominent term “if” is a conditional subordinate conjunction that links two dependent sentences expressing the idea of a hypothesis or condition in relation to the main clause.
Main prayer: I will go to church
Conditional adverbial subordinate clause: If it doesn't rain
question 18
The classification of the conjunctions highlighted below are correct, except:
a) I will not work today why I have a stomachache. (causal subordinative conjunction)
B) Although don't admit it, you have headaches. (concessive subordinative conjunction)
c) I will make all the sweets for the party second my grandmother's teachings. (conditional subordinative conjunction)
d) We enrolled in the college summer course for what we can learn more about the topic. (final subordinative conjunction)
e) They will be very proud as soon as he graduate. (temporal subordinative conjunction)
Correct alternative: c) I will make all the sweets for the party according to my grandmother's teachings. (conditional subordinative conjunction)
The "second" conjunction conveys the idea of conformity, agreement and, therefore, it is a conformative subordinative conjunction.
question 19
I. We didn't win the championship but we're happy with the team's effort.
II. He studied all week, so he is prepared to take the exam.
III. I'll finish work tomorrow because I'm tired.
The conjunctions used in the above clauses are respectively
a) additive, adversative, explanatory
b) explanatory, alternative, conclusive
c) conclusive, explanatory, adversative
d) adversative, conclusive, explanatory
e) alternative, conclusive, additive
Correct alternative d) adversative, conclusive, explanatory
In the above prayers we have:
I. but: adversative coordinating conjunction that expresses opposition.
II. therefore: conclusive coordinating conjunction that expresses a conclusion.
III. because: coordinating conjunction that expresses explanation.
question 20
Subordinate conjunctions are terms that link two syntactically dependent clauses. The alternative below that presents a consecutive subordinate conjunction is
a) As soon as I finish the course, I will do an exchange in Australia.
b) The teacher's explanation was excellent, so that we understood the topic better.
c) In order for you to improve your performance at school, we will help you to study.
d) The more I study this subject, the more worried I get.
e) Since we don't have money for the holidays, we will stay at home.
Correct alternative: b) The teacher's explanation was excellent, so that we understood the topic better.
In the other alternatives, we have:
a) thus: temporal subordinative conjunction that expresses the idea of time.
c) so that: final subordinate conjunction that expresses purpose.
d) how much: proportional subordinative conjunction that expresses proportion.
e) since: causal subordinate conjunction that expresses the idea of cause.
Read more about this topic:
- Conjunctions: and, but, or, therefore, that, how, why
- Writing connectors: list and types
- Coordinating conjunctions
- Subordinate conjunctions
- Adversative conjunctions
- Semantic value: prepositions and conjunctions
- Coordinated prayer exercises
