Fill in the blanks with the correct conjunctions:

I need to work hard ______ that I can pass the exam.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

CSIR-CLRI Junior Stenographer Official Paper (Held On: 07 Jan, 2024)

Answer 1

The correct answer is 'so'.

Key Points

The sentence expresses a purpose or result: the action of working hard is intended to achieve the outcome of passing the exam.
The conjunction "so that" (often shortened to "so" in this type of construction) is used to express purpose or consequence.
Analyzing the options:
- since (Option 1): This conjunction typically indicates time or reason ("Since it was raining, we stayed inside"). It doesn't fit the purpose-driven structure of the sentence.
- so (Option 2): This conjunction can indicate purpose or result ("I studied hard so I could pass"). It fits the sentence's meaning.
- because (Option 3): This conjunction indicates a direct cause ("I was tired because I worked hard"). While hard work is a cause for potentially passing, the sentence emphasizes the intention.
- and (Option 4): This conjunction simply connects two independent clauses without indicating a specific relationship of purpose or result ("I need to work hard and I want to pass the exam").
Therefore, the correct conjunction to show the purpose of working hard is "so."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Complete Sentence: I need to work hard so that I can pass the exam.

Additional Information

"So that" is a more formal way to express purpose than "so." In many informal contexts, "so" is used instead of "so that."
Understanding the different functions of conjunctions (e.g., showing time, reason, purpose, contrast, addition) is essential for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.