Coordinating conjunctions worksheet

Conjunctions are words used to connect two clauses. There are mainly two types of
conjunctions – coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate coordinating conjunction.
1. They were poor, ………………. often suffered great hardship.
and
but
2. He overslept himself …………………. thus missed the train.
and
but
3. That coat cannot be mine, ……………… it is too big for me.
and
but
for
4. As a boy he had never been to school, and ………………….. he had no opportunity of
learning to read and write.
therefore
for
yet
5. This must not happen again, ……………… you will be dismissed.
or
but
and
6. He is rich, ………………. he is not happy.
and
therefore
but
7. Hurry up, ……………….. you will be late.
and
or
yet
8. He must have done his duty, ……………….. he is a conscientious man.
for
so
therefore
9. He tried hard, ………………. he did not succeed.
but
and
so
10. The parents were horrified ………………. they saw blood stains on the floor and no sign of
their child.
therefore
for
so
Answers
1. They were poor, and often suffered great hardship.
2. He overslept himself and thus missed the train.
3. That coat cannot be mine, for it is too big for me.
4. As a boy he had never been to school, and therefore he had no opportunity of learning to
read and write.
5. This must not happen again, or you will be dismissed.
6. He is rich, yet he is not happy.
7. Hurry up, or else you will be late.
8. He must have done his duty, for he is a conscientious man.
9. He tried hard, but he did not succeed.
10. The parents were horrified for they saw blood stains on the floor and no sign of their child.

Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises

The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how coordinating

conjunctions work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.

1. Would you rather have cheese _____ bologna on your sandwich?

1. For

2. Nor

3. Or

4. So

Answer: 3. Would you rather have cheese or bologna on your sandwich?

2. His two favorite sports are football ______ tennis.

1. Or

2. And

3. Nor

4. For

Answer: 2. His two favorite sports are football and tennis.

3. I wanted to go to the beach, _______ Mary refused.

 1. But

2. Or

3. So

4. For

Answer: 1. I wanted to go to the beach, but Mary refused.

4. I am allergic to cats, ______ I have three of them.

1. Or

2. For

3. Yet

4. So

Answer: 3. I am allergic to cats, yet I have three of them.

5. I am a vegetarian, _______ I don’t eat any meat.

1. So

2. Yet

3. Nor

4. But

Answer: 1. I am a vegetarian, so I don’t eat any meat.

Coordinating Conjunctions List

Remember, there are only seven coordinating conjunctions. This list contains all of them.
 For

 And

 Nor

 But

 Or

 Yet

 So

Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises

1. Thomas will be late to work, _____ he has a dental appointment.

A. but

B. or

C. for

D. nor

2. Jennifer does not like to swim, ____ does she enjoy cycling.

A. and

B. or

C. but

D. nor

3. Jackson wanted to eat another piece of cake, ____ he was on a diet.

A. for

B. but

C. yet

D. so
Answer Key:

1 – C. Thomas will be late to work, for he has a dental appointment

2 – D. Jennifer does not like to swim, nor does she enjoy cycling.

3 – B. Jackson wanted to eat another piece of cake, but he was on a diet.

Exercise A
Choose the correct coordinating conjunction so that the
sentence makes sense.

1.

Nora is wearing a blue dress, blue shoes, _______ a blue hat.

a) yet
b) but
c) and
d) nor

2.

Matthew does not know the answer, ________ do Elliot or

Rachel.
a) but
b) yet
c) for
d) nor

3.

Ryan's mother does not want him to jump on his beach ball,
_______ he does it anyway.

a) for
b) but
c) or
d) nor

4.

Nicholas went outside during the snow storm, _______ he

feels cold now.

a) yet
b) so
c) nor
d) but
5.

Paul recycles, _______ not everyone does it!

a) for
b) and
c) but
d) nor

6.

Reginald loves chocolate! He only eats it occasionally,

_______ he knows too much is not good for his health.

a) but
b) yet
c) and
d) for

7.
Harry is looking at a map of the city. He might be in the north
______ he might be in the south!

a) or
b) nor
c) yet
d) for

8.

Jimmy brought gifts for his date. He brought flowers ______

chocolates.

a) but
b) for
c) yet
d) and

9.

When he finishes his doctorate, Allan wants to work in a

research company _____ a university.

a) yet
b) or
c) but
d) for

10.

Bob does not know much about flying, ______ does he feel
very sure about his plan to tie a rocket to his back!

a) but
b) yet
c) or
d) nor

Exercise B
Match the parts of sentences below with the parts of
sentences in each question. You should have complete
sentences that make sense.

a) or maybe she will stay at home and read a book.

b) and adventure of a pirate's life!
c) but she knows she will think of one soon!
d) nor does he have a map or a compass to help him.
e) or give her flowers for her birthday?
f) for he has spent a lot of time studying and reading about it.
g) but she did not hit it with even one of the darts.
h) so he will stop playing his trumpet soon.
i) and exercise at the same time!
j) yet she has bought herself a very expensive camera!
1.

Lola does not have a good idea now, ___________

2.

Maybe Doris will go to the movies, ___________

3.

Derek has almost finished the song, ___________

4.

Caroline has no experience with photography, ___________

5.
Eric does not know where he is, ___________

6.

Liam understands a lot about biology, ___________

7.

David tries to write emails, talk on the phone, ___________

8.

Should we make Mom a card ___________

9.
She wanted to hit the center of the target, ___________

10.

Beatrice likes the idea of the freedom ___________

Exercise C
For each exercise, there is one incomplete sentence or two
complete sentences and a coordinating conjunction in
parentheses. Use that coordinating conjunction to write one
complete sentence.

1.

Rod must deliver three pizzas very quickly. The customers

are waiting. (for) 

___________________________________

2.
Nick wants to jump into the pool. He feels a little bit nervous.
(but)

___________________________________

3.

Betty likes juggling, acrobatics, pogo sticks. (and)

___________________________________

4.

Grandma's camera is not digital. It takes very nice pictures.

(yet)

___________________________________

5.

Manny did not do any work today. He does not plan to. (nor)
___________________________________

6.

Maybe Peter will take that interesting rock home. Maybe he

will leave it on the ground. (or)

___________________________________

7.

Phil has that special smile on his face. I am sure he has a

plan. (so)

___________________________________

8.

The machine can shred documents envelopes. (or)

___________________________________
9.

The semester is over. The professor looks very ready for his
vacation! (and)

___________________________________

10.

I know more about this topic. I will teach you today. (so)