COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

In Context

WITHOUT COORDINATORS
Fans love to watch Anna. She dances beautifully. She is a graceful
dancer. People enjoy watching her. She hasn't taken dance lessons. She
doesn't need to. Her technique is unconventional. The effect is striking.
She can fill an audience with joy. She can bring people to tears. Other
dancers try to imitate her style. They have not succeeded. She is
talented. She will attract fans for many years to come.

WITH COORDINATORS
Fans love to watch Anna, for she dances beautifully. She performs with a fan, and people enjoy
watching her. She hasn't taken dance lessons, nor does she need to. Her technique is
unconventional, but the effect is striking. She can fill an audience with joy, or she can bring people
to tears. Other dancers try to imitate her style, yet they have not succeeded. She is talented,
so she will attract fans for many years to come.

PRACTICE

Insert commas and coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when appropriate to complete
the sentences.

1. My favourite desserts include cookies, cheesecake ____ tiramisu.

2. I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books _____ I had to get a job.

3. I finished my homework _____ my mom let me go outside.

4. I could not play outside _____ I had to study for a test.

5. I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint _____ at a steakhouse.

6. I have no money _____ I keep shopping.

7. I have neither done the dishes _____ the laundry.

8. We should bring either pizza _____ cake to the party.

9. I exercise regularly ______ I cant seem to lose weight!

10. The girl tried to talk to her boyfriend _______ he simply ignored her.
 WABBITS = SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

When, Where, While

After, Although
Before
Because
If
Though
Since
When you write, your writing is more interesting if you can vary sentence structures. One
way to vary sentence structures is to combine thoughts using complex sentences. A complex
sentence has one complete sentence, or independent clause, and one dependent clause, which has
a subject and a verb but doesnt express a complete thought. To understand the dependent clause,
you need the information in the independent clause.

Combine the short sentences by using the subordinating conjunction provided to create a complex
sentence.

1. Finish eating your breakfast. Brush your teeth. After

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2. I have to stay for tutoring. I failed the quiz in math. Because

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3. We wont have practice today. It is raining. Since

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4. I woke up. I saw that it was snowing! When

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5. You eat your vegetables. You cannot have dessert. Until

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6. I was taking a quiz in science. The power went out. While

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7. You practice. You will not get any better at basketball. Unless
________________________________________________________________________________

8. The sun rises in the morning. A rooster crows very early. Before
________________________________________________________________________________

9. You need to study your vocabulary words. You can do well on the quiz. So That

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10. You have cookies left over. Can I have one? If

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