Coordinating Conjunctions - ESL worksheet by missola - Free Printable

Let's solve the worksheet titled "Coordinating Conjunctions" by filling in the blanks with the correct coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor.

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🔹 Understanding Coordinating Conjunctions:

These are words that connect two independent clauses (complete thoughts). The seven coordinating conjunctions are:
- and – adds information
- but – shows contrast
- or – presents a choice
- so – shows result
- for – gives reason (similar to "because")
- yet – shows contrast (often used in formal writing)
- nor – negative addition (used after "neither")

We'll go through each sentence and determine which conjunction best fits based on meaning.

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✔ Solutions with Explanations:

1. My father didn’t bring the mail, ________ did my mother.
→ nor
*Explanation:* Both actions are negative. "Nor" is used after a negative statement to add another negative idea.
✔️ nor

2. Julia loves dancing ________ she hates to sing.
→ but
*Explanation:* Contrasting ideas — she likes one thing but dislikes another.
✔️ but

3. This is a very expensive resort, ________ only rich people come here.
→ so
*Explanation:* The second clause is a result of the first. Because it’s expensive, only rich people come.
✔️ so

4. Peter was able to pass the test, ________ he is a good student.
→ for
*Explanation:* "For" gives a reason (like "because"). He passed because he’s a good student.
✔️ for

5. Some students missed the bus today, ________ they were not late for school.
→ yet
*Explanation:* Unexpected result — even though they missed the bus, they weren't late. "Yet" shows contrast.
✔️ yet

6. You can have a cup of coffee, ________ you can drink some tea.
→ or
*Explanation:* Choice between two options.
✔️ or

7. I didn’t go to work yesterday, ________ I had a fever.
→ for
*Explanation:* Explaining the reason. "For" = because.
✔️ for

8. Stop talking, ________ I will send you out of class.
→ or
*Explanation:* Warning — if you don’t stop, there will be a consequence.
✔️ or

9. Mrs. Smith sat outside, ________ she could enjoy the sun.
→ so
*Explanation:* Purpose — she sat outside in order to enjoy the sun.
✔️ so

10. Alexander wanted to buy a new jacket, ________ he didn’t have enough money.
→ but
*Explanation:* Contrast — he wanted it, but couldn't afford it.
✔️ but

11. John was listening to the music, ________ Ann was washing the dishes.
→ and
*Explanation:* Two things happening at the same time.
✔️ and

12. You don’t have to worry that much, ________ everything is under control.
→ for
*Explanation:* Reason — because everything is under control, there's no need to worry.
✔️ for

13. Would you like to watch a movie with me, ________ do you prefer going out?
→ or
*Explanation:* Offering a choice.
✔️ or

14. You have to feed the fish, ________ it will die.
→ or
*Explanation:* Warning — if you don’t feed it, it will die.
✔️ or

15. Sarah doesn’t like sea food, ________ does Joana.
→ nor
*Explanation:* Double negative — neither Sarah nor Joana likes seafood. "Nor" is used after a negative.
✔️ nor

16. Sarah hates sea food, ________ I hate it too.
→ and
*Explanation:* Adding agreement.
✔️ and

17. It is raining, ________ the weather is warm.
→ yet
*Explanation:* Contrast — it's raining, but surprisingly warm.
✔️ yet

18. Stop calling me names, ________ it makes me very angry.
→ for
*Explanation:* Giving a reason — because it makes me angry.
✔️ for

19. My friends called me, ________ we could meet later.
→ so
*Explanation:* Result — they called so we could meet.
✔️ so

20. These strawberries are fresh ________ sweet.
→ and
*Explanation:* Adding qualities.
✔️ and

21. The secretary couldn’t send the fax, ________ the fax machine was broken.
→ for
*Explanation:* Reason — because the machine was broken.
✔️ for

22. This cake looks great, ________ it tastes awful.
→ but
*Explanation:* Contrast — looks good, but taste is bad.
✔️ but

23. We should close the windows, ________ we will all get sick.
→ or
*Explanation:* Warning — if we don’t close them, we’ll get sick.
✔️ or

24. You can’t have ice cream, ________ you can have some juice.
→ but
*Explanation:* Contrast — you can’t have one, but you can have another.
✔️ but

25. I have to hurry up, ________ I need to get to work on time.
→ for
*Explanation:* Reason — because I need to get to work on time.
✔️ for

26. These chocolate bars are sugar free, ________ they are very sweet.
→ yet
*Explanation:* Surprising contrast — they’re sugar-free, but still sweet.
✔️ yet

27. The boys are playing football, ________ the girls are watching them.
→ and
*Explanation:* Two actions happening together.
✔️ and

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✔ Final Answer Key:

1. nor
2. but
3. so
4. for
5. yet
6. or
7. for
8. or
9. so
10. but
11. and
12. for
13. or
14. or
15. nor
16. and
17. yet
18. for
19. so
20. and
21. for
22. but
23. or
24. but
25. for
26. yet
27. and

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📝 Summary Tips:

- Use and for adding.
- Use but for contrast.
- Use or for choices or warnings.
- Use so for results.
- Use for for reasons (formal).
- Use yet for unexpected contrasts.
- Use nor after negatives.

Let me know if you'd like this as a printable version or need explanations for any specific sentence!