girl writing conjunctions in her school book
Language Skills

Conjunctions

Want to improve your understanding of conjunctions and become a more confident writer? These exercises will help you develop your skills.

Introduction

If you want to join phrases or parts of sentence together, you might need to use a conjunction. Perhaps the most common linking words are “and”, “or”, “but” and “because”. Have a look at the following examples:

  • The holiday was too expensive and not very enjoyable.
  • I want to play on the swings and go down the slides.
  • Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream?
  • I like football but my brother prefers rugby.
  • My father told me to clean my room because it was incredibly messy.

Some conjunctions can help clarify the relationship between the words and phrases, especially in terms of time:

  • I will watch television after I finish my dinner.
  • She finished her conjunctions exercise before everyone else in the class.
  • When you leave the room, please turn off the lights.
  • If it starts to rain, we will have to go inside.

Conjunctions are very important because they improve the precision and fluency of our verbal and written communication. If you are working through the exercises on conjunctions, there are suggested answers at the bottom of the page.

Exercise One

Write out the following passage in your notebooks and underline the conjunctions.

Although time travel is theoretically possible, it remains a plot device of science fiction writers and the wishful thinking of many physicists. But it is certainly worthy of study and serious consideration because it raises questions about the nature of the universe and our place in the cosmos.

Exercise Two

In your own words, explain the difference between the following pairs of sentences.

  • I would like an apple and orange.
  • I would like an apple or orange.
  • My sister watched television while I read a book.
  • My sister watched television, so I read a book.
  • If you want to pass the English test, you must revise thoroughly.
  • In order to pass the English test, you must revise thoroughly.

Exercise Two

Add an appropriate conjunction to each of the following sentences.

  1. Susan did really well _________ the spelling test __________ received a gold star.
  2. I cannot play football __________ I forgot my boots.
  3. You must wash your hands ___________ you eat your dinner.
  4. The children played hopscotch __________ they waited __________ the bell.
  5. __________ the sun goes down, the nocturnal animals can be heard __________ the woods.
  6. Keith was sad __________ his favourite football team lost the match.
  7. Most people like walking __________ school, __________ I prefer to cycle.
  8. “It’s cold outside, __________ you should wear your gloves,” her mother warned.
  9. My father sat down __________ the sofa __________ fell asleep.
  1. Emma did not have enough milk for breakfast, __________ she went __________ the shop __________ bought a carton.
  2. Would you like a computer game __________ a new bike __________ Christmas.
  3. We waited for Oliver, __________ he didn’t turn up.

Suggested Answers

Although time travel is theoretically possible, it remains a plot device of science fiction writers and the wishful thinking of many physicists. But it is certainly worthy of study and serious consideration because it raises questions about the nature of the universe and our place in the cosmos.

In the first pair of sentences, the conjunction “and” suggests the speaker wants both pieces of fruit, but the conjunction “or” suggests they are content to have one of them.

In the second set, the conjunction “while” suggests the speaker read the book at the same time as their sister watched television. However, the conjunction “so” in the following sentence suggests they had to read the book because they were unable to watch what they wanted on television.

Finally, the conjunction “in order to” suggests you have to revise thoroughly to pass the test or you will fail. However, the conjunction “if” implies there is a possibility of passing the test with thorough revision. It is a subtle difference.

  1. Susan did really well in the spelling test and received a gold star.
  2. I cannot play football because I forgot my boots.
  3. You must wash your hands before you eat your dinner.
  4. The children played hopscotch while they waited for the bell.
  5. After the sun goes down, the nocturnal animals can be heard in the woods.
  6. Keith was sad because his favourite football team lost the match.
  7. Most people like walking to school, but I prefer to cycle.
  8. “It’s cold outside, so you should wear your gloves,” her mother warned.
  9. My father sat down on the sofa and fell asleep.
  10. Emma did not have enough milk for breakfast, so she went to the shop and bought a carton.
  11. Would you like a computer game or a new bike for Christmas.
  12. We waited for Oliver, but he didn’t turn up

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Thanks for Reading!