Coordinating conjunctions Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Coordinating Conjunctions connect any two units that are the same type. For example, they can link two sentences, two nouns, two verbs, two determiners, two prepositions, or two adjectives.

Quick Tip 18.1

There are three common coordinating conjunctions in English. They are: and, or, and but. Four less common ones are for, so, yet, and nor.

Quick Tip 18.2

A commonly used way to recall the coordinating conjunctions is to think of FANBOYS: F (for), A (and), N (nor), B (but), O (or), Y (yet), S (so). But given that and, or, and but are the most common, you'll be in good shape if you just keep those in mind.

Question 1. You asked my friend, and then the other two came as well.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and. It joins two complete sentences on either side of it.
In simple words: The word "and" links two full thoughts together - one about asking the friend, and another about the other two arriving.

Exam Tip: When a coordinating conjunction has a complete sentence on both sides, it is joining two sentences, not just words.

Question 2. I go or he goes.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two complete sentences on either side of it.
In simple words: The word "or" links two full sentences - one about "I go" and another about "he goes".

Exam Tip: Look for a complete subject and verb on each side of the conjunction to identify if it joins sentences.

Question 3. It wasn't dark but the moon was out.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is but. It joins two complete sentences on either side of it.
In simple words: The word "but" connects two full sentences - one saying it wasn't dark, and another saying the moon was out.

Exam Tip: The word "but" often shows contrast between two ideas that are connected by the conjunction.

Question 4. The children had milk and cookies.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and. It joins two nouns: milk and cookies.
In simple words: The word "and" links two things - milk is one noun, and cookies is the other noun.

Exam Tip: When the same word class appears on both sides (here, two nouns), the conjunction joins those word classes, not complete sentences.

Question 5. People study medicine or dentistry when they enroll at that institution.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two nouns: medicine and dentistry.
In simple words: The word "or" links two subjects of study - medicine is one noun, and dentistry is the other.

Exam Tip: Watch for conjunctions that connect nouns naming subjects, objects, or things in a series.

Question 6. That restaurant is known for healthy and nutritious food.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and. It joins two adjectives: healthy and nutritious.
In simple words: The word "and" links two describing words - healthy is one adjective, and nutritious is the other.

Exam Tip: Adjectives that modify the same noun are often joined by coordinating conjunctions like "and".

Question 7. I'm buying either the striped or paisley wallpaper.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two adjectives: striped and paisley.
In simple words: The word "or" links two describing words for the wallpaper - striped is one adjective, and paisley is the other.

Exam Tip: The word "either" often pairs with "or" when presenting two adjective choices.

Test Yourself 18.1

Underline the coordinating conjunction in each sentence below. Remember that the coordinating conjunctions are: and, or, but, for, so, yet, nor.

Question 1. You can hide between trips and make believe you're innocent.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and.
In simple words: The word "and" joins two actions - hiding and making believe.

Exam Tip: Locate the word from the FANBOYS list that appears in the sentence.

Question 2. Was it near here or over there?
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or.
In simple words: The word "or" joins two locations - here and there.

Exam Tip: "Or" typically presents two options or alternatives in a sentence.

Question 3. Roger looked around but he didn't see anything.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is but.
In simple words: The word "but" joins two contrasting ideas - looking around versus not seeing anything.

Exam Tip: "But" shows contrast - watch for ideas that oppose or change direction.

Question 4. They'll eat chicken or turkey for dinner.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or.
In simple words: The word "or" joins two food choices - chicken and turkey.

Exam Tip: "Or" offers a choice between two similar items in a list.

Question 5. Mr. Joseph pulled out three letters and handed one to each of the men.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and.
In simple words: The word "and" joins two actions - pulling out letters and handing them out.

Exam Tip: Look for "and" joining verbs that show a sequence of actions.

Test Yourself 18.2

Underline the coordinating conjunction in each sentence below. Then decide if the conjunction is joining two sentences or two nouns. In this exercise, if there is not a complete sentence on either side of the conjunction, it is joining two nouns.

Question 1. Mr. Eagle was called away on business, so Mrs. Broxton took his place at the meeting.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is so. It joins two sentences.
In simple words: The word "so" links two complete thoughts - Mr. Eagle being called away, and Mrs. Broxton taking his place. Each side has a full subject and verb.

Exam Tip: "So" shows cause and effect - one complete sentence happens, and as a result, another complete sentence follows.

Question 2. He'd heard of it, but he didn't like the idea.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is but. It joins two sentences.
In simple words: The word "but" links two complete thoughts - he had heard of it, but he didn't like it. Each side is a full sentence.

Exam Tip: Count the subjects and verbs on each side - if you find a complete pair on both sides, it's two sentences.

Question 3. Erin felt real excitement and enthusiasm.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and. It joins two nouns.
In simple words: The word "and" links two nouns - excitement and enthusiasm. There is only one complete sentence structure, not two.

Exam Tip: If only one subject and verb exist in the sentence, the conjunction joins smaller units like nouns, not whole sentences.

Question 4. It was raining hard, yet we went to the ball game.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is yet. It joins two sentences.
In simple words: The word "yet" links two complete thoughts - it was raining hard, and yet we went to the game. Each side has a full subject and verb.

Exam Tip: "Yet" shows contrast between two complete ideas - similar to "but" in joining complete sentences.

Question 5. The airline attendant asked, "Would you like coffee or tea?"
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two nouns.
In simple words: The word "or" links two nouns - coffee and tea. The full sentence is a question about these two drink choices, not two separate complete sentences.

Exam Tip: When a conjunction presents a choice between two things within one sentence structure, it often joins nouns.

Test Yourself 18.3

Underline the coordinating conjunction in each sentence below. Then decide if the conjunction is joining two verbs, two adjectives, or two prepositions.

Question 1. I'll be near or between the stacks.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two prepositions: near and between.
In simple words: The word "or" links two prepositions that show location - near and between.

Exam Tip: Prepositions often show location or direction - watch for "in", "on", "near", "between", "at" joined by conjunctions.

Question 2. He came up with a quick and effective remedy.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is and. It joins two adjectives: quick and effective.
In simple words: The word "and" links two describing words for the remedy - quick and effective.

Exam Tip: When two adjectives modify the same noun, they are often linked by "and".

Question 3. I hope you won't worry or brood too much about it.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two verbs: worry and brood.
In simple words: The word "or" links two action words - worry and brood. Both verbs describe what you hope won't happen.

Exam Tip: Verbs joined by conjunctions often have the same helping verb ("won't worry" and "won't brood").

Question 4. This trip will be expensive but worthwhile.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is but. It joins two adjectives: expensive and worthwhile.
In simple words: The word "but" links two describing words - expensive and worthwhile. It shows they contrast with each other.

Exam Tip: "But" often joins adjectives that have opposing meanings or show contrasting qualities.

Question 5. I am at or near a breakthrough.
Answer: The coordinating conjunction is or. It joins two prepositions: at and near.
In simple words: The word "or" links two prepositions that show location - at and near. Both describe position relative to the breakthrough.

Exam Tip: Prepositions that show similar relationships are often linked by "or" to offer slight variations in meaning.

Test Yourself 18.4

Write down the seven coordinating conjunctions. (Remember FANBOYS.)

Question 1. Write the first coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: For
In simple words: "For" is the first conjunction when you follow the FANBOYS memory aid.

Exam Tip: FANBOYS gives you the exact order - use this to help you recall all seven conjunctions.

Question 2. Write the second coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: And
In simple words: "And" is the second conjunction in the FANBOYS list.

Exam Tip: "And" is one of the three most common coordinating conjunctions you'll encounter.

Question 3. Write the third coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: Nor
In simple words: "Nor" is the third conjunction in the FANBOYS sequence.

Exam Tip: "Nor" is less common - remember it as part of negative statements.

Question 4. Write the fourth coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: But
In simple words: "But" is the fourth conjunction in the FANBOYS list.

Exam Tip: "But" is one of the three most common coordinating conjunctions and shows contrast.

Question 5. Write the fifth coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: Or
In simple words: "Or" is the fifth conjunction in the FANBOYS sequence.

Exam Tip: "Or" is one of the three most common coordinating conjunctions and offers choices.

Question 6. Write the sixth coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: Yet
In simple words: "Yet" is the sixth conjunction in the FANBOYS list.

Exam Tip: "Yet" means the same as "but" in showing contrast between ideas.

Question 7. Write the seventh coordinating conjunction from FANBOYS.
Answer: So
In simple words: "So" is the seventh and final conjunction in the FANBOYS memory aid.

Exam Tip: "So" shows cause and effect - one thing happens, so another thing results.