Fill in the blank in the given sentence.
Get a grip in time, ______ you will regret. (Coordinating conjunction)

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The conjunction 'or' is used to connect two independent clauses and present an alternative or a negative consequence.
In this sentence, 'or' correctly shows that regretting is the consequence of not getting a grip in time.
'Or' is one of the seven coordinating conjunctions, which can be remembered by the mnemonic FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).

Option A: 'And' is a coordinating conjunction used to add similar or sequential ideas, not to present a contrasting consequence.
Option B: 'Because' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a reason or cause, not a coordinating conjunction. It does not fit the sentence's logical structure.
Option D: While 'otherwise' has the correct meaning, it is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction as required by the question.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Use of Coordinating Conjunctions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests general English proficiency, which is a fundamental skill for nurses.
Clear and precise communication is essential in nursing for accurate patient documentation, effective patient education, and clear handoff reports to other healthcare professionals.
Misuse of conjunctions can alter the meaning of a sentence, potentially leading to misunderstandings in clinical instructions or patient care.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the relationship between the two parts of the sentence. The first part ('Get a grip in time') is an instruction or piece of advice, and the second part ('you will regret') is a negative outcome.
Identify that the blank requires a word that connects these two ideas by showing a consequence or an alternative.
Note the specific grammatical category requested by the question: 'Coordinating conjunction'.
Recall the seven coordinating conjunctions using the mnemonic FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).
Evaluate each option. Eliminate 'because' (a subordinating conjunction) and 'otherwise' (a conjunctive adverb) as they do not belong to the required grammatical category.
Between the remaining options ('and' and 'or'), choose 'or' because it correctly expresses the relationship of a negative consequence, whereas 'and' simply adds information.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.