Language Arts: Conjunctions: Coordinating and Subordinating
Using conjunctions to connect words, phrases, and ideas
Language Arts: Conjunctions: Coordinating and Subordinating
Using conjunctions to connect words, phrases, and ideas
Language Arts - Grade 4-5
- 1
Read the sentence: I wanted to play outside, but it started to rain. Which word is the conjunction, and is it coordinating or subordinating?
Look for the word that connects two ideas.
The conjunction is but. It is a coordinating conjunction because it joins two equal parts of the sentence. - 2
Read the sentence: We stayed inside because the storm was loud. Which word is the conjunction, and is it coordinating or subordinating?
The conjunction is because. It is a subordinating conjunction because it connects a main idea to a reason. - 3
Choose the best coordinating conjunction to complete the sentence: Maya can draw, ___ she can paint. Choices: and, because
A coordinating conjunction joins two equal ideas.
The best conjunction is and. The sentence is Maya can draw, and she can paint. - 4
Choose the best subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence: ___ I finished my homework, I went outside. Choices: After, But
The best conjunction is After. The sentence is After I finished my homework, I went outside. - 5
Read the sentence: Sam packed a snack and a water bottle. Is the conjunction coordinating or subordinating? Explain.
This conjunction connects two items in a list.
The conjunction is and, and it is coordinating. It joins two words of equal importance, snack and water bottle. - 6
Read the sentence: Although the movie was long, I enjoyed it. Identify the conjunction and tell its type.
The conjunction is Although. It is a subordinating conjunction because it introduces a dependent idea before the main sentence. - 7
Combine these two ideas with a coordinating conjunction: I was hungry. I made a sandwich.
Use a conjunction that shows result.
One correct answer is: I was hungry, so I made a sandwich. The conjunction so is coordinating because it joins two complete ideas. - 8
Combine these two ideas with a subordinating conjunction: The bell rang. The students lined up.
One correct answer is: When the bell rang, the students lined up. The conjunction When is subordinating because it tells when the action happened. - 9
Circle the conjunction in this sentence and name its type: I will read a book or play a game.
This conjunction shows a choice between two actions.
The conjunction is or. It is a coordinating conjunction because it connects two choices. - 10
Circle the conjunction in this sentence and name its type: If you practice every day, you will improve.
The conjunction is If. It is a subordinating conjunction because it introduces a condition. - 11
Rewrite the sentence with the correct conjunction: I wore my boots, ___ the ground was wet. Choices: because, or
Choose the conjunction that gives a reason.
The correct conjunction is because. The sentence is I wore my boots because the ground was wet. - 12
Rewrite the sentence with the correct conjunction: Eli wanted soup, ___ he ordered salad instead. Choices: but, after
The correct conjunction is but. The sentence is Eli wanted soup, but he ordered salad instead. - 13
Write your own sentence using a coordinating conjunction. Underline the conjunction.
Try using and, but, or, or so.
Answers will vary. One correct example is: I cleaned my room, and my sister folded the laundry. The underlined conjunction should be and. - 14
Write your own sentence using a subordinating conjunction. Underline the conjunction.
Answers will vary. One correct example is: Before I went to bed, I brushed my teeth. The underlined conjunction should be Before. - 15
Read both sentences. Then tell which sentence has a subordinating conjunction. Sentence A: Nina sang and clapped. Sentence B: Nina sang because she was happy.
Look for the sentence with a reason or condition.
Sentence B has a subordinating conjunction. The word because is subordinating because it gives the reason Nina sang.