Connectives and Paired Conjunctions Practice

Directions: Combine the sentences into one concise sentence that contains parallel structure.
Use paired conjunctions (both . . . and; not only . . . but also; either . . . or; or neither . . . or)

1. The severe rainstorm flooded basements and sewers. The severe rainstorm caused mudslides.

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2. Cindy will babysit the kids this evening, or Mrs. Smith will babysit the kids this evening.

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3. Arthur has never been to Disneyland. His cousins have never been to Disneyland.

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4. Philip doesn’t want to go to college. Philip doesn’t want to find a job.

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Directions: Complete the sentences, adding punctuation and capitalization.

1. While some people are optimists_____________________________________________________

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2. As soon as the violinist played the last note at the concert, ________________________________

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3. Since neither my roommate nor I know how to cook _____________________________________

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4. Lisa can’t drive us to the airport because_____________________________________________

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 2
Directions: Complete each sentence with a word or expression from the list. Pay attention
to punctuation and capitalization. Use each word/expression one time only. More than one
answer is possible.

although even though due to on the other hand

because nevertheless while in spite of
because of despite the fact however on the contrary

1. Amy had two cups of coffee this morning. ____________________ she is still sleepy and is almost
falling asleep at her desk.

2. School has been canceled today _____________________________ the extremely hot weather.

3. _________________ Lynn has to finish her research paper this weekend, she can’t go out with
her friends.

4. Many American high school students plan to study at a university ________________________

increasing costs.

5. The swimmer had tried to make the Olympic team before. ________________________ on his
third attempt he finally made it.

6. ___________________ the government has been studying nuclear power for years, no one has
discovered a way to make it completely safe.

7. Carpenter ants chew holes through wood to make their nests. _____________________________
tropical weaver ants make their nests out of tree leaves.

8. _____________________ my mother doesn’t understand Italian, she loves listening to Italian opera.

9. _______________________ most students care about their grades, others are too lazy to work hard.

10. New Orleans has a harsh winter. __________________________ winters there are quite mild.

11. The archeologist’s primary research took place in Nepal________________________ he doesn’t

like being in the mountains.

12. The typhoon caused some damage to our house _______________________________ that we
boarded up the windows and doors.