CONJUNCTIONS

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 2

3-5
Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 4
Activity Page ▶ pages 5 – 6
Practice Page ▶ page 7
GRADE Homework Page
Answer Key
▶
▶
page 8
page 9 – 10
 Classroom Procedure: Approximate Grade Level: 3 – 5
Objectives: The students will be able to correctly
1. In caps, display: FANBOYS. Ask students what identify and use conjunctions, including coordinating,
they think each letter may stand for as related to correlative, and subordinating conjunctions.
writing sentences.
Common Core State Standards:
2. Allow for responses and discussion. If students LB.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1.H
cannot guess one of the conjunctions, share one LB.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1.F
or two of them. (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) LB.ELA-Literacy.L.5.1.A

3. Many students should be familiar with the words but Class Sessions (45 minutes):
may not know they are identified as conjunctions. At least 2 class sessions.
Ask students to correctly use them in a sentence. Teaching Materials/Worksheets:
Tell students there are many more conjunctions Conjunctions content pages (2), Activity pages (2),
besides these seven. Practice page, Homework page
Student Supplies: Scissors, handouts
4. Distribute Conjunctions content pages. Read and
review the information with the students. Use the Prepare Ahead of Time:
additional resources to enhance understanding. Pair students. Copy handouts.

5. Distribute Activity page. Read and review the Options for Lesson: Students may work in larger
groups for the activity. Students exchange homework
instructions. Distribute scissors. Pair students.
pages for correction. Use the practice page as a
Students combine all “Conjunction Cards” and will quiz or test. Spend additional time helping students
take turns choosing a card and using the conjunction understand how to use commas with conjunctions
in a sentence. Circulate through the room to check correctly. Use current reading material for students to
for understanding. Encourage students to be identify conjunctions and the correct use of commas.
creative. Use the “Conjunction Cards” for students to make one
or two sentences, written out on construction paper,
6. Ask each pair of students to share the most creative along with a drawing to match the sentence.
sentence used during the activity.
7. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the
students’ responses.
8. Distribute the Homework page. Allow students to
share their sentences using the conjunctions.
9. In closing, ask students to create a new pneumonic
instead of FANBOYS to help learn the most often
used conjunctions.
10. Distribute scratch paper and allow students to share
their ideas.

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 Teacher Notes
The lesson introduces students to the various types of conjunctions including coordinating, correlative,
and subordinating conjunctions. Many students may easily remember basic conjunctions such as and, or,
and but. However, this lesson will expand the students' use of the other types of conjunctions. They may
not always remember the names of the different types, but it is most important they can identify and use all
conjunctions correctly. The lesson could also be used with a lesson related to commas.
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Conjunctions
When you hear the word junction, you may think of a place
where something is joined together. For example, the place
where a road and train tracks meet is called a junction. In the
English language, a conjunction is a word used to connect
words, phrases, or clauses. You use conjunctions every day.
A few common conjunctions include and, or, and but.
There are three types of conjunctions in the English language.

Coordinating Conjunctions
They are used to join a noun with another noun, an adjective with another adjective, an adverb
with another adverb, etc., or with phases and clauses.
Examples: The dog and cat get along, for they have lived with each for years.
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so I do not like ice cream, nor do I like popsicles or Italian ices.
(Use FANBOYS to remember) My home is small but large enough for just me, yet I am still moving.

Correlative Conjunctions
They are used in pairs to join alternative or equal elements—such as two adjectives, nouns, etc.—in
a sentence. Be sure each sentence is written clearly.
I can easily enjoy a plate of either peas or green beans.
Examples:
Neither rain nor snow keeps the mail from being delivered.
either/or, neither/nor, not only/
He not only won a gold medal but also a silver medal.
but also, if/then, and others
If the Celtics win the game, then they will be in first place.

Subordinating Conjunctions
They are words or phrases used to connect dependent clauses to independent clauses. They may also
be used to introduce adverb clauses. There are many examples.
Examples: After the snow stopped falling, we shoveled it from the driveway.
After, although, as soon as, We had six players hurt although we won the game.
because, before, even if, if, Because the teacher was absent, we had a substitute.
now that, since, unless, until,
There will be no TV or cell phone use until you finish the homework.
whenever, whether or not, while,
and many others Whether or not you believe me, I am telling the truth.

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Correctly using and identifying conjunctions is helpful when you are reading and writing. The errors
that occur most often relate to placing commas correctly or using commas when they are unnecessary.

Commas and Conjunctions

Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions:
• Use them when there is a list of three or more items: For lunch today
I ate a hamburger, french fries, and a banana. Notice the comma
before the conjunction.
• Use them between two independent clauses: We may spend some time on the beach, or we may go
miniature golfing. Once again, the comma appears before the conjunction. Note, the two clauses
may be written as separate sentences.
• For very short clauses, a comma is not always necessary: Noah drinks soda and Emma drinks juice.
Commas and Subordinating Conjunctions:
• Use a comma when a subordinate clause begins a sentence, separating it from the main clause:
Unless ketchup is available, I will not eat a hot dog. The word unless is the conjunction beginning
the subordinate clause.
• Do not use a comma if the subordinate clause ends
a sentence: I will not eat ice cream if there is no
chocolate syrup available. The subordinate clause
appears at the end of the sentence beginning with
the conjunction if.

As you read, write, and identify the different types of conjunctions, you will get used to using commas
correctly. Sometimes commas may be used if you need to include a definite pause between two clauses:
Umbrellas are a necessary purchase, if only when it is raining.
Using the conjunction because may or may not require the use of a comma:
He is not playing, because it’s cold. This means because of the cold specifically, he is not playing.
He is not playing because it’s cold. No comma means there may be another reason he is not
playing: He is not playing because it’s cold. He is not playing because he is hurt.
Be careful when using conjunctions. Do not overuse commas. Commas can change the meaning of a
sentence. Review the rules of commas when necessary. Finally, the more you use conjunctions, the better
your words can be expressed to others. Practice makes perfect, but you must choose to practice.

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Cut apart each of the conjunctions. Once completed, you and your partner will take turns randomly
choosing one of the conjunctions. Next, use the conjunction correctly in a sentence. You do not
have to write it out.

After Neither/nor If/then So that

Although Even if For Though

Even
And Yet Until
though

As In case Or Whenever

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

In order
As soon as Either/or Whether
that

Just in
Because Only if While
case

Provided Not only/

But Now that
that but also

By the time Once Since Both/and

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 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Find and circle the conjunctions in each sentence.

1. Whenever the wind blows, the windows and walls seem to move or creak.
2. Sally and Carmen have neither met each other nor heard of each other.
3. The game still happened even though the rain and wind caused problems for the players.
4. Although I may disagree with you, I will still respect you because it is the right thing to do.
5. The team not only won the game but also the championship.
6. My dog ran away from home, but my family and I found him about five miles away in another town.
7. The boy certainly likes chocolate ice cream though he never eats chocolate candy or chocolate cake.
8. While the girl did do her homework, her dog tore it apart so she had to do it again.
9. Until spring arrives, the gardener must be prepared for the arrival of more cold and snow.
10. The man is neither polite nor funny unless you believe being mean or cruel is funny.

Circle the correct conjunctions to complete each sentence.

11. _____ had I put my umbrella away _____ it started raining. (Neither / nor – No sooner / than)
12. _____ the basement flooded, we spent all day cleaning up. (Before – After – Even if)
13. He did not want to sign the paper _____ he had never read it. (whenever – so that – because)
14. We are going to the mall ____ my friends get here. (once – yet – and)
15. The game had ended _____ we lost. (because – when – but)
16. _____ I understand you are hungry, you must wait until dinner. (When – While – Whether or not)
17. The family visited three states while on vacation: Iowa, Michigan, _____ Illinois. (but – or – and)
18. _____ the nurse asks you to, do not take your hand off the cut. (While – So that – Until)
19. We could stay in the house _____ have the picnic under the shelter. (or – but – yet)
20. _____ the doorbell rang, the cat ran quickly up the stairs. (Even if – Although – When)

Place commas where needed.

21. The work caused pain in the worker’s back but he continued to do the job without complaint.
22. Because the children sat in the sun all day they suffered with sunburn the next day.
23. Rather than take my word for it maybe you should read the book yourself.
24. The class chose potato chips candy and popcorn as their favorite snacks.
25. If you are willing to work hard you will have a better chance of learning new things.
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 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

Write your own sentences using each of the conjunctions. Be sure to include and use commas
when necessary. Write sentences about your day, things you do at home, etc.

and
or

but

either/or

neither/nor

although

as soon as

because

before

even though

if

just in case

provided that

since

so that

though

until

whenever

whether or not

while

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 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Find and circle the conjunctions in each sentence.

1. Whenever the wind blows, the windows and walls seem to move or creak.
2. Sally and Carmen have neither met each other nor heard of each other.
3. The game still happened even though the rain and wind caused problems for the players.
4. Although I may disagree with you, I will still respect you because it is the right thing to do.
5. The team not only won the game but also the championship.
6. My dog ran away from home, but my family and I found him about five miles away in another town.
7. The boy certainly likes chocolate ice cream though he never eats chocolate candy or chocolate cake.
8. While the girl did do her homework, her dog tore it apart so she had to do it again.
9. Until spring arrives, the gardener must be prepared for the arrival of more cold and snow.
10. The man is neither polite nor funny unless you believe being mean or cruel is funny.

Circle the correct conjunctions to complete each sentence.

11. _____ had I put my umbrella away _____ it started raining. (Neither / nor – No sooner / than)
12. _____ the basement flooded, we spent all day cleaning up. (Before – After – Even if)
13. He did not want to sign the paper _____ he had never read it. (whenever – so that – because)
14. We are going to the mall ____ my friends get here. (once – yet – and)
15. The game had ended _____ we lost. (because – when – but)
16. _____ I understand you are hungry, you must wait until dinner. (When – While – Whether or not)
17. The family visited three states while on vacation: Iowa, Michigan, _____ Illinois. (but – or – and)
18. _____ the nurse asks you to, do not take your hand off the cut. (While – So that – Until)
19. We could stay in the house _____ have the picnic under the shelter. (or – but – yet)
20. _____ the doorbell rang, the cat ran quickly up the stairs. (Even if – Although – When)

Place commas where needed.

21. The work caused pain in the worker’s back, but he continued to do the job without complaint.
22. Because the children sat in the sun all day, they suffered with sunburn the next day.
23. Rather than take my word for it, maybe you should read the book yourself.
24. The class chose potato chips, candy, and popcorn as their favorite snacks.
25. If you are willing to work hard, you will have a better chance of learning new things.
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 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Write your own sentences using each of the conjunctions. Be sure to include and use commas when
necessary. Write sentences about your day, things you do at home, etc.
Be sure commas are placed where needed.
and

or

but

either/or

neither/nor

although

as soon as

because

before

even though

if

just in case

provided that

since

so that

though

until

whenever

whether or not

while

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