Conjunctions

What is a coordinating conjunction in the following sentence?

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

• Hannah

• she

• was

• so

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

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

• "This cake is for the mayor," the baker said.

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

• Samira brought Anil a gift for his birthday.

• I had red velvet cake for dessert.

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

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 wash or put away the dishes.

• James did not put the dishes away.

• All James did was put the dishes away.

"Nor" is a conjunction that connects 2 ideas that are stated in the negative, or not happening. It is a part of a correlative (two-part) conjunction with "neither".

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 interested in but not afraid of scary movies.

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

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

"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.

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.

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

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

• Eva especially likes to eat eggplant.

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 said.

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

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

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

"Yet", like the conjunction "but", shows contrast. "Yet" is used when the contrast is more surprising or strange. It also sounds more formal than "but".

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

• I am nervous yet excited.

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

• "Are we there yet?" the children screeched.

• The dog is not yet fully grown.

In which of the following sentences does "so" show a cause and effect relationship?

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

• "That dog is cute," Paul said to his brother.

• The building is so tall.

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

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 3 or more.

Which of the following sentences is written with correct punctuation?

• The cat destroyed the sofa, and armchair.

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

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

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