Conjunctions Combining Sentences Quiz

1. Combine these sentences using the best coordinating conjunction: 'The lights flickered. The power did not go out.'

The lights flickered, but the power did not go out.

The lights flickered, and the power did not go out.

The lights flickered, so the power did not go out.

The lights flickered, or the power did not go out.

The two clauses express contrasting ideas: one thing happened (flickering), but the opposite of what you might expect (power going out) did not. The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to show contrast.

Explanation

The two clauses express contrasting ideas: one thing happened (flickering), but the opposite of what you might expect (power going out) did not. The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to show contrast.

2. Complete the sentence using the correct correlative conjunction pair: ‘You can have _______ a slice of pizza _______ a bowl of soup, but not both.’

The context of the sentence states you must choose between two options ('pizza' or 'soup') and implies you cannot have the other, making 'either/or' the correct correlative pair for choice.

Explanation

The context of the sentence states you must choose between two options ('pizza' or 'soup') and implies you cannot have the other, making 'either/or' the correct correlative pair for choice.

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3. A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) is used to join words, phrases, or independent clauses (full sentences) that are grammatically equal in rank.

True

False

This statement is true. Coordinating conjunctions like 'and', 'but', and 'or' connect elements that have the same grammatical function or importance in the sentence structure.

Explanation

This statement is true. Coordinating conjunctions like 'and', 'but', and 'or' connect elements that have the same grammatical function or importance in the sentence structure.

4. Choose the best way to combine these sentences: ‘Sarah stayed home. She felt sick.’

Sarah stayed home, so she felt sick.

Sarah stayed home because she felt sick.

Sarah stayed home, or she felt sick.

Sarah stayed home, but she felt sick.

The second sentence provides the reason or cause for the first sentence. The subordinating conjunction 'because' is the most effective word to show this cause-and-effect relationship, creating a complex sentence.

Explanation

The second sentence provides the reason or cause for the first sentence. The subordinating conjunction 'because' is the most effective word to show this cause-and-effect relationship, creating a complex sentence.

5. Which of the following examples is a comma splice? (Select all that apply)

I love to read, I visit the library often.

My brother likes to swim, but I prefer to run.

The test was difficult, I wish I had studied more.

We brought sandwiches and chips for the picnic.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (full sentences) are joined only by a comma, which is grammatically incorrect. Options A and C both connect two complete, simple sentences with only a comma. Option B is correct because it uses a comma and a coordinating conjunction ('but').

Explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (full sentences) are joined only by a comma, which is grammatically incorrect. Options A and C both connect two complete, simple sentences with only a comma. Option B is correct because it uses a comma and a coordinating conjunction ('but').

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6. Combine these two sentences: ‘My mom baked a cake. My dad made cookies.’

My mom baked a cake, but my dad made cookies.

My mom baked a cake, for my dad made cookies.

My mom baked a cake, and my dad made cookies.

My mom baked a cake, so my dad made cookies.

The two actions are similar and are being presented as additions to each other. The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to simply join two equal, related ideas.

Explanation

The two actions are similar and are being presented as additions to each other. The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to simply join two equal, related ideas.

7. You must always place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) regardless of what it is joining.

True

False

This statement is false. You only place a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two complete, independent clauses (full sentences). If it joins two words or two phrases, no comma is needed (e.g., bread and butter).

Explanation

This statement is false. You only place a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two complete, independent clauses (full sentences). If it joins two words or two phrases, no comma is needed (e.g., bread and butter).

8. Which sentence correctly uses the correlative conjunction neither...nor?

He will neither call nor text you today.

He will neither call, nor text you today.

Neither he will call nor text you today.

He neither will call nor text you today.

Correlative conjunctions must join grammatically parallel elements. In option A, 'call' and 'text' are both verbs/actions, maintaining parallel structure. The other options place the correlative pair incorrectly, disrupting the parallelism.

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions must join grammatically parallel elements. In option A, 'call' and 'text' are both verbs/actions, maintaining parallel structure. The other options place the correlative pair incorrectly, disrupting the parallelism.

9. Complete the sentence with an appropriate subordinating conjunction: ‘_______ the bell rings, we will line up quietly outside the classroom.’

The sentence expresses a time relationship; the action of lining up will happen at the specific time the bell rings. 'When' is the best subordinating conjunction to introduce this time-based dependent clause.

Explanation

The sentence expresses a time relationship; the action of lining up will happen at the specific time the bell rings. 'When' is the best subordinating conjunction to introduce this time-based dependent clause.

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10. Combine these two simple sentences to show a clear cause-and-effect relationship: ‘It was raining heavily. We decided to cancel the outdoor party.’

It was raining heavily, but we decided to cancel the outdoor party.

It was raining heavily, or we decided to cancel the outdoor party.

It was raining heavily, so we decided to cancel the outdoor party.

It was raining heavily, for we decided to cancel the outdoor party.

The heavy rain is the cause, and the cancellation is the effect/result. The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect an independent clause with the result of that clause.

Explanation

The heavy rain is the cause, and the cancellation is the effect/result. The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect an independent clause with the result of that clause.

11. What is the function of a subordinating conjunction (like since, although, or if)? (Select all that apply)

To join two independent clauses of equal rank.

To introduce a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

To show the relationship (like time, cause, or condition) between two ideas.

To correct a comma splice by inserting a comma and the word itself.

Subordinating conjunctions serve two main purposes: they make a clause dependent (B) and they clearly define the relationship (C) between the main idea and the new, subordinate idea. Option A describes coordinating conjunctions.

Explanation

Subordinating conjunctions serve two main purposes: they make a clause dependent (B) and they clearly define the relationship (C) between the main idea and the new, subordinate idea. Option A describes coordinating conjunctions.

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12. Correlative conjunctions (like both/and or either/or) must always join elements that are grammatically similar (e.g., noun with noun, verb with verb).

True

False

This statement is true. The rule of 'parallel structure' requires that the words, phrases, or clauses following each part of a correlative pair are grammatically equal.

Explanation

This statement is true. The rule of 'parallel structure' requires that the words, phrases, or clauses following each part of a correlative pair are grammatically equal.

13. Which conjunction is best for showing that the second idea is the purpose or reason for the first idea: ‘I wore a sweater. It was cold outside.’

I wore a sweater, and it was cold outside.

I wore a sweater, or it was cold outside.

I wore a sweater, yet it was cold outside.

I wore a sweater, for it was cold outside.

The coordinating conjunction 'for' can mean 'because' and is used to show the reason (it was cold) for the action (I wore a sweater).

Explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'for' can mean 'because' and is used to show the reason (it was cold) for the action (I wore a sweater).

14. Complete the sentence using the correct correlative conjunction pair: ‘The play was a success; it was captivating _______ intellectually stimulating.’

The sentence indicates that the play had two positive characteristics, 'captivating' and 'intellectually stimulating.' The correlative conjunction 'both/and' is used to show the inclusion of two elements.

Explanation

The sentence indicates that the play had two positive characteristics, 'captivating' and 'intellectually stimulating.' The correlative conjunction 'both/and' is used to show the inclusion of two elements.

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15. Which coordinating conjunction should be used to offer a choice between two actions? ‘We can walk to the park. We can take the bus.’

We can walk to the park, yet we can take the bus.

We can walk to the park, or we can take the bus.

We can walk to the park, so we can take the bus.

We can walk to the park, for we can take the bus.

The word 'or' is the coordinating conjunction used to present alternatives or choices between the two independent clauses.

Explanation

The word 'or' is the coordinating conjunction used to present alternatives or choices between the two independent clauses.

16. Which option correctly combines this run-on sentence: ‘My sister loves to dance she practices for hours every day.’

My sister loves to dance she practices for hours every day.

My sister loves to dance, she practices for hours every day.

My sister loves to dance, and she practices for hours every day.

My sister loves to dance so she practices for hours every day.

The original is a run-on sentence. Option C correctly separates the two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'and,' which shows the second idea is an additional, related detail.

Explanation

The original is a run-on sentence. Option C correctly separates the two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'and,' which shows the second idea is an additional, related detail.

17. A dependent clause, which starts with a subordinating conjunction, can stand alone as a complete sentence.

True

False

This statement is false. A dependent (or subordinate) clause has a subject and a verb but starts with a word like because or when, which makes it unable to stand alone; it must be attached to an independent clause.

Explanation

This statement is false. A dependent (or subordinate) clause has a subject and a verb but starts with a word like because or when, which makes it unable to stand alone; it must be attached to an independent clause.

18. Choose the best subordinating conjunction to combine these ideas: ‘You heat water to 212°F. It will boil.’

Water will boil while you heat it to 212°F.

Water will boil although you heat it to 212°F.

Water will boil if you heat it to 212°F.

Water will boil since you heat it to 212°F.

The word 'if' is the best choice because it establishes a condition: the boiling happens only if the water reaches a specific temperature.

Explanation

The word 'if' is the best choice because it establishes a condition: the boiling happens only if the water reaches a specific temperature.

19. Which of the following are examples of correlative conjunction pairs? (Select all that apply)

Both...and

Neither...nor

Not only...but also

And...but

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join elements in a sentence. 'both...and', 'neither...nor', and 'not only...but also' are all common correlative pairs. 'and...but' uses two separate coordinating conjunctions, not a correlative pair.

Explanation

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join elements in a sentence. 'both...and', 'neither...nor', and 'not only...but also' are all common correlative pairs. 'and...but' uses two separate coordinating conjunctions, not a correlative pair.

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20. Which sentence uses the correct punctuation?

Because I was tired I went to bed early.

I went to bed early, because I was tired.

I went to bed early because I was tired.

I went to bed early, for because I was tired.

When the subordinating conjunction ('because') introduces the dependent clause after the independent clause, no comma is needed. A comma is needed if the dependent clause starts the sentence (e.g., Because I was tired, I went to bed early).

Explanation

When the subordinating conjunction ('because') introduces the dependent clause after the independent clause, no comma is needed. A comma is needed if the dependent clause starts the sentence (e.g., Because I was tired, I went to bed early).

Clarity and Variety: Conjunctions Combining Sentences Quiz