Coordinating Conjunctions Identification Quiz

1. What is the coordinating conjunction in this sentence: 'I wanted to go outside, but it started to rain'?

Wanted

But

Outside

To rain

Coordinating conjunctions connect elements of equal grammatical rank. In this sentence, 'but' connects two complete sentences (independent clauses), and it signals a contrast between the two ideas.

Explanation

Coordinating conjunctions connect elements of equal grammatical rank. In this sentence, 'but' connects two complete sentences (independent clauses), and it signals a contrast between the two ideas.

2. Which word is NOT a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)?

For

Also

Or

Yet

The coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. 'Also' is an adverb used for addition or emphasis, not a coordinating conjunction used to join clauses or equal elements.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. 'Also' is an adverb used for addition or emphasis, not a coordinating conjunction used to join clauses or equal elements.

3. A coordinating conjunction can join two single nouns, like 'dogs and cats'.

True

False

This is true. Coordinating conjunctions are versatile and can connect single words (nouns, verbs, adjectives), phrases, or independent clauses, showing they connect elements of equal rank.

Explanation

This is true. Coordinating conjunctions are versatile and can connect single words (nouns, verbs, adjectives), phrases, or independent clauses, showing they connect elements of equal rank.

4. Find the coordinating conjunction: ‘She can play the piano _______ the drums.’

The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to connect two similar elements, 'the piano' and 'the drums,' indicating that she can perform both musical activities.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to connect two similar elements, 'the piano' and 'the drums,' indicating that she can perform both musical activities.

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5. In the sentence 'I packed a jacket, for the weather looked cold', what two parts are joined by the conjunction?

A subject and a verb

Two adjectives

Two complete sentences

Two single words

For' is acting as a coordinating conjunction (meaning 'because') and connects the complete sentence 'I packed a jacket' with the complete sentence 'the weather looked cold', forming a compound sentence.

Explanation

For' is acting as a coordinating conjunction (meaning 'because') and connects the complete sentence 'I packed a jacket' with the complete sentence 'the weather looked cold', forming a compound sentence.

6. What is the conjunction in the sentence: 'We can walk, or we can take the bus.'

Can

Take

Or

We

The word 'or' is a coordinating conjunction used to present a choice or alternative between the two independent clauses: walking or taking the bus.

Explanation

The word 'or' is a coordinating conjunction used to present a choice or alternative between the two independent clauses: walking or taking the bus.

7. Which option correctly identifies the conjunction in the sentence: 'The baby cried, nor did he stop.'

The baby

Cried

Nor

Stop

The word 'nor' is a coordinating conjunction used here to introduce a second negative idea that is connected to and follows the first negative statement.

Explanation

The word 'nor' is a coordinating conjunction used here to introduce a second negative idea that is connected to and follows the first negative statement.

8. What coordinating conjunction shows a contrast between two ideas: ‘The homework was hard, _______ I finished it.’

The word 'but' is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two contrasting or opposing ideas: the difficulty of the homework versus the successful completion of it despite the difficulty.

Explanation

The word 'but' is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two contrasting or opposing ideas: the difficulty of the homework versus the successful completion of it despite the difficulty.

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9. Identify the coordinating conjunction in the sentence: 'She went to the park and played on the swings.'

Went

And

Park

Played

The word 'and' is the coordinating conjunction that connects the two verbs (a compound predicate), 'went' and 'played,' which are equal actions performed by the same subject.

Explanation

The word 'and' is the coordinating conjunction that connects the two verbs (a compound predicate), 'went' and 'played,' which are equal actions performed by the same subject.

10. If the word 'but' is joining two adjectives (e.g., 'small but mighty'), you still need a comma before it.

True

False

This is false. A comma is only required before a coordinating conjunction when it connects two complete independent clauses (full sentences). It does not need a comma when joining two single words or phrases.

Explanation

This is false. A comma is only required before a coordinating conjunction when it connects two complete independent clauses (full sentences). It does not need a comma when joining two single words or phrases.

11. Which coordinating conjunction indicates you must choose between two options: ‘We can have cake, _______ pie for dessert.’

The word 'or' is the coordinating conjunction used to present two alternatives or choices for dessert: cake or pie.

Explanation

The word 'or' is the coordinating conjunction used to present two alternatives or choices for dessert: cake or pie.

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12. Which sentence does NOT contain a coordinating conjunction?

I like apples, and I like bananas.

Call me when you get home.

I am tired, so I will take a nap.

The box was large, yet easy to carry.

Sentence B uses the word 'when', which is a subordinating conjunction introducing a time clause, not a coordinating conjunction. The other options all use a FANBOYS word (and, so, yet).

Explanation

Sentence B uses the word 'when', which is a subordinating conjunction introducing a time clause, not a coordinating conjunction. The other options all use a FANBOYS word (and, so, yet).

13. Select the coordinating conjunctions from the list below. (Select all that apply)

Because

And

So

Although

The coordinating conjunctions are memorized using the acronym FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). 'And' and 'So' are both part of the FANBOYS list. 'Because' and 'Although' are subordinating conjunctions.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunctions are memorized using the acronym FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). 'And' and 'So' are both part of the FANBOYS list. 'Because' and 'Although' are subordinating conjunctions.

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14. The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to show a result or effect.

True

False

This is true. The coordinating conjunction 'so' indicates that the second clause is the result or consequence of the first clause, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between the two equal ideas.

Explanation

This is true. The coordinating conjunction 'so' indicates that the second clause is the result or consequence of the first clause, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between the two equal ideas.

15. Which of these coordinating conjunctions would require a comma before it when joining two independent clauses? (Select all that apply)

And

Yet

If

Never

When joining two complete sentences, all seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) require a comma before them. 'If' is a subordinating conjunction, and 'Never' is an adverb.

Explanation

When joining two complete sentences, all seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) require a comma before them. 'If' is a subordinating conjunction, and 'Never' is an adverb.

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16. Which sentence uses the coordinating conjunction 'for' correctly?

I am leaving, for I want to be on time.

I am leaving for the store.

I am leaving for I want to be on time.

I am leaving but I want to be on time.

When 'for' acts as a coordinating conjunction (meaning 'because'), it must connect two complete clauses and be preceded by a comma. Option B uses 'for' as a preposition, and Option C is missing the comma.

Explanation

When 'for' acts as a coordinating conjunction (meaning 'because'), it must connect two complete clauses and be preceded by a comma. Option B uses 'for' as a preposition, and Option C is missing the comma.

17. A coordinating conjunction is used to join a less important idea to a more important one.

True

False

This is false. Coordinating conjunctions are specifically used to join words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal in rank or importance. Subordinating conjunctions join unequal ideas.

Explanation

This is false. Coordinating conjunctions are specifically used to join words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal in rank or importance. Subordinating conjunctions join unequal ideas.

18. Find the coordinating conjunction: ‘He did not study, _______ he did not pass the test.’

The word 'nor' is the coordinating conjunction used to present an alternative second negative idea that is related to the first negative clause.

Explanation

The word 'nor' is the coordinating conjunction used to present an alternative second negative idea that is related to the first negative clause.

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19. In which sentences does a coordinating conjunction connect two words or phrases, NOT two full sentences? (Select all that apply)

The book was long, but it was interesting.

We ordered soup and salad for lunch.

She sang and danced across the stage.

I lost my keys, so I cannot drive.

In B, 'and' connects two nouns. In C, 'and' connects two verbs. In A and D, the conjunctions connect two independent clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences.

Explanation

In B, 'and' connects two nouns. In C, 'and' connects two verbs. In A and D, the conjunctions connect two independent clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences.

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20. What part of speech is the word 'Yet' when used as a coordinating conjunction?

A noun

A verb

A linking word

An adverb

A coordinating conjunction is a linking word that serves to join equal elements together, such as two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses.

Explanation

A coordinating conjunction is a linking word that serves to join equal elements together, such as two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses.