Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

Conjunctions

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Conventions of Standard English

Lesson 1

Conjunction

A conjunction is a word used to connect words, phrases, or clauses.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• and: to add information

• Many animals live in places with plenty of food and water.

• but: to show a difference

• Deer eat many plants but still do not always get enough food.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• or: to show a choice

• They know that finding food is a matter of life or death.

• so: to show cause and effect

• They need more food, so they move on in search of it.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect a dependent clause to another clause.

A dependent clause has a subject and a predicate but cannot stand alone.

Subordinating Conjunctions

• because: to explain why

• Raccoons don’t mind living in populated areas because they aren’t afraid of people.

• before, during, when, while: to show time

• When deer cannot find food in their natural habitats, they will often go looking for it in people’s yards.

• although, unless: to show contrast

• Although some animals avoid living near humans, other animals are comfortable being near people.

Conjunctions

The meaning of a sentence can change depending on which conjunction is used.

Be sure to determine the purpose of the conjunction in the sentence.

Try using different conjunctions until the sentence makes sense.

Conjunctions Practice

• I save my money, or I make a donation. 

• (shows a choice between saving and donating)

• I save my money, and I make a donation.

• (shows two things the writer does: saves and donates)

• I save my money, so I make a donation.

• (shows a cause, saving money, and the effect, donating)

Conjunctions Practice

• I have math _____ science homework.

• I have math and science homework.

• An apple is a good snack _____ it's healthy.

• An apple is a good snack because it's healthy.

• We can’t cross the river _____ we use the bridge.

• We can’t cross the river unless we use the bridge.

Multiple Choice

All animals need food, water, _____ shelter to survive.

• unless

• and

• when

• although

• so

Multiple Choice

_____ these are available, animals can thrive.

• unless

• and

• when

• although

• so

Multiple Choice

_____ opossums can live in just about any habitat, elk are very particular about where they live.

• unless

• and

• when

• although

• so

Multiple Choice

Cats and dogs have learned to depend on humans, _____ they are considered “domesticated” animals.

• unless

• and

• when

• although

• so

Multiple Choice

Cougars avoid humans _____ they are in search of food.

• unless

• and

• when

• although

• so

Multiple Choice

Farming, construction, _____ other human activities are affecting wild tigers in Asia.

• but

• so

• and

• or

Multiple Choice

Many groups are working to protect the tiger, _____ studies show that the animals have lost a great deal of their habitat.

• but

• so

• and

• or

Multiple Choice

_____ habitat loss is a big problem for tigers, it is not the only danger they face.

• Since

• Because

• Before

• Although

Multiple Choice

Tigers in some areas are destroyed _____ poachers kill them for their skins.

• during

• because

• although

• before

Multiple Choice

_____ governments take action, these animals will remain in danger.

• Because

• During

• Although

• Unless