CONJUNCTIONS - PRACTICE

CONJUNCTIONS - PRACTICE

FANBOYS is a way to help you remember the seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, 

Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Coordinating conjunctions can connect words, phrases and clauses. Each coordinating conjunction shows a different relationship between the words, phrases or clauses it connects.

Multiple Choice

What is the coordinating conjunction in the following sentence?

Hannah was hungry, so she made herself a pickle sandwich.

• Hannah

• hungry

• so

• she

FOR

The word "for" is usually used as a preposition, like when you say, "This chicken is for dinner."

When used as a conjunction, "for" is a more formal way of saying "because" or "since," and it usually joins independent clauses.

Multiple Choice

In which of the following sentences is “for” used as a conjunction?

• “This cake is for the mayor,” the baker said.

• Samira brought Anil a gift for his birthday.

• I couldn’t believe him, for he often lies.

• I had red velvet cake for dessert.

AND

Use "and" to connect words, phrases or clauses that are related to each other, or where the second one is adding onto the first. "And" can also show that something happened after something else.

Multiple Choice

What does the word “and” show in the following sentence?

James washed the dishes and put them away.

• James put the dishes away after washing them.

• James did not put the dishes away.

• James did not wash or put away the dishes.

• All James did was put the dishes away.

NOR

"Nor" is a conjunction that connects two ideas that are stated in the negative, or not happening. It is commonly used when "neither" appears earlier in the sentence.

Multiple Choice

What does the conjunction “nor” show in the following sentence?

Daryl is neither afraid of nor interested in scary movies.

• Daryl isn’t afraid of scary movies, and he also isn’t interested in them.

• Daryl is afraid of but not interested in scary movies.

• Daryl is interested in but not afraid of scary movies.

• Daryl is both afraid of and interested in scary movies.

BUT

"But" is a conjunction that shows contrast. Whatever comes after "but" in a sentence will oppose whatever came before it. When "but" is used between words, it can show an exception.

Multiple Choice

What does the conjunction “but” show in the following sentence?

Eva likes to eat every vegetable but eggplant.

• Eggplant is the only vegetable Eva likes to eat.

• Eva is the only one who likes to eat eggplant.

• Eggplant is the only vegetable Eva does not like to eat.

• Eva especially likes to eat eggplant.

OR

When you see "or," it means there is a choice between the options it connects. "Or" can also be used to show the result of not doing something or of something not happening. In that case, "or" is similar to "otherwise."

Multiple Choice

In which of the following sentences does the word “or” show the result of not doing something?

• “Do you want to win or lose this contest?” the announcer asked.

• I don’t know if I like Georgia or North Carolina better.

• We have to make sure we include supports or the treehouse will collapse.

• Harold won’t end the argument or say he is sorry.

YET

Like "but," the conjunction "yet" shows contrast. "Yet" conveys a more specific type of contrast than "but," though. "Yet" is used when the contrast is more surprising or strange. "Yet" also sounds more formal than “but.”

Multiple Choice

In which of the following sentences does the word “yet” show a strange or surprising contrast?

• I am nervous yet excited.

• “Are we there yet?” the children screeched.

• I can’t yet say what time the boat will come.

• The dog is not yet fully grown.

SO

Sometimes "so" is an adverb, like in the sentence, "Stop running so fast!" 

But when “so” is a conjunction, it shows cause and effect. Whatever comes before "so" is the cause, and whatever comes after is the effect.

Multiple Choice

In which of the following sentences does the word “so” show a cause and effect relationship?

• “So, are we riding the roller coaster or not?” she asked.

• The building is so tall.

• “That dog is so cute,” Paul said to his brother.

• Tassia just ran a long race, so she’s not interested in taking a walk right now.

COMMA BEFORE CONJUNCTIONS

When you use a conjunction to connect phrases, you need to use commas to separate words or phrases that are part of a list of three or more. 

For example, you would use a comma in the following sentence:

"I play the violin, sing in the choir, and swim on the varsity team."

The comma comes before the conjunction.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is written with correct punctuation?

• The cat destroyed the sofa, and armchair.

• I was able to carry my suitcase, my backpack, and my trunk up three flights of stairs.

• Franklin is only ten years old, yet, he already knows how to drive a tractor across his mother’s farm.

• Judy baked the cake, but, forgot to frost it.