conjunctions

Choose the correct FANBOYS conjunction to complete the sentence: I wanted to play outside, ___ it started to rain heavily.

• but

• so

• for

• or

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'but' correctly shows a contrast between wanting to play and the rain preventing it. 'So' would incorrectly suggest the rain was a result of wanting to play, and 'for' would illogically state the rain is the reason for wanting to play.

Choose the best coordinating conjunction to show a result: The team practiced hard, ___ they won the championship.

• so

• and

• but

• for

Answer explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'so' correctly shows that winning the championship is a result of practicing hard. A comma is required before the conjunction when joining two independent clauses. 'And' would just add information, 'but' would show a contrast, and 'for' would illogically mean they practiced *because* they won.

Which sentence uses a coordinating conjunction that shows an incorrect or illogical relationship between the two ideas?

• I was thirsty, or I drank a glass of water.

• He was very tired, yet he stayed up to finish his book.

• We can go to the movies, or we can stay home and watch a DVD.

• She studied for the test, for she wanted to get a good grade.

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'or' indicates a choice, which is illogical here. Drinking water is a *result* of being thirsty, so 'so' would be correct. The other sentences show correct logical relationships: 'yet' for contrast, 'or' for a choice, and 'for' for a reason.

Combine these two sentences using the most logical coordinating conjunction: He loves playing basketball. He is not very tall.

• He loves playing basketball, but he is not very tall.

• He loves playing basketball, so he is not very tall.

• He loves playing basketball, for he is not very tall.

• He loves playing basketball, nor is he very tall.

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'but' is the correct choice because it joins two contrasting ideas: loving basketball and not being tall. Using 'so' would illogically imply he isn't tall *because* he loves basketball, and 'for' would imply he loves basketball *because* he isn't tall.

Complete the series with the correct conjunction: My dog can fetch, roll over, ___ shake hands.

• and

• but

• or

• so

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'and' is used to add the final item in a series of actions (fetch, roll over, shake hands). 'But' would create an illogical contrast, 'or' would suggest a choice between the last two items, and 'so' would imply an incorrect result.

Find the sentence that has a punctuation error related to a coordinating conjunction.

• I like pizza but my brother prefers pasta.

• Do you want to leave now, or should we wait?

• It was cold, so I put on a jacket.

• Although the book was long, it was very exciting.

Answer explanation

A comma is required before a coordinating conjunction (like 'but') that joins two independent clauses. The correct sentence is: 'I like pizza, but my brother prefers pasta.' Option D is correctly punctuated with a comma after an introductory dependent clause.

Select the subordinating conjunction that best shows the reason: We had to cancel the picnic ___ the forecast predicted thunderstorms.

• because

• since

• although

• unless

Answer explanation

Both 'because' and 'since' can show cause, but 'because' places stronger emphasis on the direct reason, which fits the context of cancelling a picnic. 'Although' shows contrast and 'unless' shows a condition, neither of which is logical here.

True or False: In the sentence 'When the bell rings, the students line up at the door,' the phrase 'the students line up at the door' is the dependent clause.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is false. The phrase 'the students line up at the door' is the independent clause because it can stand alone as a complete sentence. The dependent clause is 'When the bell rings,' which starts with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone.

Choose the option that correctly rewrites the following sentence by moving the dependent clause to the beginning: The cat hissed at the dog because it got too close.

• Because it got too close, the cat hissed at the dog.

• Because it got too close the cat hissed at the dog.

• The cat hissed at the dog, because it got too close.

• Because, it got too close, the cat hissed at the dog.

Answer explanation

When a complex sentence begins with a dependent clause ('Because it got too close'), a comma must be placed after it. Option C is incorrect because no comma is needed when the dependent clause follows the independent clause.

Which conjunction best completes the sentence to show a necessary condition? He will not pass the test ___ he studies hard.

• unless

• because

• although

• if

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'unless' correctly establishes a condition, meaning 'except if.' The sentence logically states that studying is the necessary condition for passing. 'Because' would illogically mean he won't pass *as a result of* studying, and 'although' would create a nonsensical contrast.