Conjunction

Looking for an explanation for conjunctions and a few conjuction exercises?

Conjunctions are words used to link phrases and clauses. They are necessary to create
compound sentences, or to join multiple ideas together. In English, conjunctions are
classified as either coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions or
correlative conjunctions. Using the right conjunction is essential to making your
meaning clear and to making yourself understood.
Types of Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions join words or ideas together, but not full phrases or
sentence. For example, if you stated that you like chicken AND fish, and acts
as a coordinating conjunction. It joins the two nouns in question: chicken and
fish.There are six coordinating conjunctions in English:
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
These six coordinating conjunctions can be remembered by using
the FANBOY.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions join an independent and a dependent clause. The
subordinating conjunction indicates the relationship between the clauses, and
usually introduces the dependent clause. Common subordinating conjunctions
include since, because, thus, before, how, if, since, than, that, though, until,
thus, whether, while and when and so. And and but can also act as
subordinating conjunctions.
A subordinating conjunction can make an otherwise independent clause into a
dependent clause. For example, look at these two sentences: I like fish. I will
eat some. These two sentences can be joined together with a subordinating
conjunction: I like fish SO I will eat some.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions link sentence elements that go together. They always
come in pairs. For example, either and or; neither and nor; not only and but
also; and whether and or are correlative conjunctions. Using correlative
conjunctions, it would be possible to say I like not only chicken, but also fish.
Conjunction Exercises
Conjunction exercises can you help you to learn how conjunctions are used.
Conjunction exercises can take several forms: they can test your ability to use
conjunctions, or they can test your understanding of how correlative
conjunctions work together.
Sample Conjunction Exercises
The following seven questions are sample conjunction exercises. The
answers are below:
1. I like chicken ____ not fish.
A. And B. Since C. But D. For E. Or
2. ____ it rains on Sunday, I will not be able to drive.
A. And B. Where C. Either D. If E. How
3. I like both dogs ______ cats.
A. Also B. But C. And D. If E. Until
4. The items are on sale in the local store _____ not online.
A. But B. And C. Though D. Or E. Nor
5. Neither my mother _____ my father will be able to attend the party on
Sunday.
A. Or B. But not C. And D. Nor E. But also
6. Carrie didnt know whether her bike would be fixed _____ if she would
have to walk.
A. But B. And C. Nor D. Or E. Either (D) Carrie didnt know whether her bike
would be fixed or if she would have to walk. The situation described here is
one in which one thing or the other will happen. The coordinating conjunction
or must be used.
7. Luke was late to the party ______ his car broke down on the highway.
A. If B. Because C. While D. Although E. Where
Answers to Conjunction Exercises:
1. (C) I like chicken but not fish. The sentence here is drawing a contrast. But
is the correct coordinating conjunction to join these two nouns.

2. (D) If it rains on Sunday, I will not be able to drive. The subordinating
conjunction should be used to introduce the dependent clause rains on
Sunday. The rain is a conditional situation that will cause the lack of ability to
drive.

3. (C) I like both dogs and cats. Both is a correlative conjunction and must be
accompanied by and.

4. (B) The items are on sale in the local store but not online. Again, a contrast
is being drawn here (just as in question #1) so the coordinating conjunction
but is appropriate to explain the relationship between the nouns.

5. (D) Neither my mother nor my father will be able to attend the party on
Sunday. Nor is a correlative conjunction with neither.

6. (D) Neither my mother nor my father will be able to attend the party on
Sunday. Nor is a correlative conjunction with neither.

7. (B) Luke was late to the party because his car broke down on the
highway. The tardiness was caused by the breakdown of the car. The
subordinating conjunction must be used to explain the relationship between
the clauses.