Identify Conjunctions in Larger Pieces of Text

In this activity, we are going to be refreshing our knowledge of conjunctions, which are linking words.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Can you identify the coordinating conjunction in the sentence below?

I like cheese and I like bread.

The coordinating conjunction and links the two main clauses here to make a compound sentence.

I like cheese = main clause (makes sense on its own)

and = coordinating conjunction (linking word)

I like bread. = main clause (makes sense on its own)

There are seven coordinating conjunctions and we can use the acronym FANBOYS to help us remember them all.

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So

Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause, which doesn’t make sense if you say it on its own.

Look at the sentence below:

___ sitting by the fire, Joe felt warm.

Can you think of a subordinating conjunction to fill the gap so the sentence makes sense?

We could use the subordinating conjunction after.

After sitting by the fire, Joe felt warm.

The subordinate clause After sitting by the fire doesn’t make sense on its own.

Remember that subordinate clauses can be used at the start of a sentence but they must be followed by a comma.

Here are some other subordinating conjunctions:

Which subordinating conjunction would fit the gap in the sentence below?

__ you like swimming, we can go to the pool.

Here, the subordinate clause was at the start of the sentence and there were a few subordinating conjunctions we could use:

If you like swimming, we can go to the pool.

Since you like swimming, we can go to the pool.

As you like swimming, we can go to the pool.

All of these are complex sentences as they have subordinate clauses.

In this activity, you’ll be on the hunt for both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

Remember to use the acronym FANBOYS to help you remember those coordinating conjunctions.