Level Two

Lesson 22
coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions hold words, phrases, and sentences together.  There are seven coordinating conjunctions: 

 

and

but

or

nor

for 

yet

so

The three coordinating conjunctions that most students learn to use first are and, but, and or.  The other four are also good to know, but let’s concentrate on these three first. 

Take Quiz #22 – coordinating conjunctions – and, but, or when you feel ready to test your knowledge of these three coordinating conjunctions. 

 

There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so. 

common conjunctions: and, but, or

22a. and

The word “and” is the most commonly used conjunction. It’s also the most important conjunction because it joins words, phrase, and clauses together.  

Combine words: 

Elsa and Felix are going to the movies. 

The conjunction “and” combines two nouns: 

Elsa and Felix

Combine phrases: 

I have classes in the morning and in the evening. 

The conjunction “and” combines two prepositional phrases:

  in the morning and in the evening 

 

Combine clauses 

They work during the day, and in the evening they rest. 

The conjunction “and” combines two clauses to form a compound sentence.  Notice that each clause has a subject and a verb: 

They work…and…they rest

22a. and

siblings, brother, sister-3315770.jpg

 

  • Elsa and Felix are siblings. 
  • They are brother and sister. 
  • They go to school during the day, and they come home in the afternoon. 
breakfast, toast, egg-7110228.jpg
  • I have eggs and toast for breakfast.   
  • An egg has two main parts: a yolk and the egg white.
kitten, little, playful-4321163.jpg


  • These two kittens are cute and playful. 
  • One is white, and the other is gray. 
  • They play together, and they sleep together.  

22b. but

The word “but” is also commonly used as a conjunction. It’s used to show differences or contrasts between words, phrases, and clauses. 

Contrast words: 

Those apples are delicious but not expensive. 

The conjunction “but” combines two adjectives: 

delicious but (not) expensive 

Contrast phrases: 

She works during the day but not at night. 

The conjunction “but” combines two prepositional phrases:

  during the day but not at night 

 

Contrast clauses 

I like to work, but I don’t like my schedule. 

The conjunction “but” combines two clauses to form a compound sentence.  Notice that each clause has a subject and a verb: 

I like…but….I don’t like…

22b. but

chess, game board, chess game-1403622.jpg

 

  • The king is the most powerful piece in chess, but the queen moves more easily around the board. 
eggs, ten, field-3446869.jpg
  • This carton has ten eggs. Nine of the eggs are brown, but one is white.
dandelion, meadow, dandelion meadow-3381676.jpg

 

  • Dandelions are pretty, but most gardeners don’t want them in their gardens or on their lawns. 

22c. or

The word “or” is useful when making a choices:  

Words: 

You may have cereal or an omlette for breakfast. 

The conjunction “or” provides a choice between two things: 

cereal or an omlette 

Phrases: 

Park the car in the garage or in the street. 

The conjunction “or” is used with prepositional phrases:

 in the garage or in the street 

 

Clauses 

The milk is on the counter, or it’s in the refrigerator.  

The conjunction “or” can be used between two clauses to form a compound sentence.   Each clause has a subject and a verb. 

 

22c. or

A woman in a sparkling green dress surprises a man by covering his eyes indoors.

 

  • He can’t tell if it’s Janet or Laverne who is standing behind him. 
sittin people beside table inside room
  • We can meet in the morning or in the afternoon. Which is better? 
man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane

 

  • A: How does he travel? 
  • B: He takes the train, or he flies. 

There are four other coordinating conjunctions: so, yet, for, nor.  Concentrate on learning how to use and, but, and or before you learn how to use the other conjunctions. 

coordinating conjunctions exercise

Click the link above for the PDF.

Part A – Directions:  Choose the correct coordinating conjunction for each sentence:

 and, but, or

 

  1. Tom __________ Sarah are coming to our house this weekend.  

  2. I need to make a call, __________ I don’t have my phone on me. 

  3. You can have chocolate __________ vanilla, __________ you can’t have both. 

  4. The kids want to go outside, __________ it’s raining too hard. 

  5. The color orange is made by combining red __________ yellow. 

  6. Either Bill __________ Kevin is working the afternoon shift. 

  7. Our bus usually arrives on time, __________ today it’s late. 

  8. This book is ripped on the front __________ back cover. 

  9. We can drive to Detroit, __________ we can take a bus to get there. 

  10. Kathy is usually very nice,  __________  I just heard her yell at her neighbor. 

 

Part B – Directions: Choose the correct coordinating conjunction for each sentence:

 so, yet, for, nor

  1. I‘ve never met Mary before, __________ there’s something familiar about her. 

  2. John avoids driving on the highway, _________ it takes him longer to get to work. 

  3. The police officer did something that was neither professional __________ legal. 

  4. We need more money, __________ I got a second job. 

  5. You must make the best of what you have, __________ you have just one life to live. 

  6. Cindy said she was sick, __________ she’s still going out with her friends tonight. 

  7. Our refrigerator died, __________ we went out and bought a new one. 

  8. Tony doesn’t have a job, _________ does he want one. 

  9. All members of the team trained hard, __________ they were determined to win. 

  10. The team was determined to win the championship, _________they trained hard for it.

In Lesson Twenty-three, you will learn about the past tense. 

Lesson Twenty-three

Level Two