Conjunctions are words that join. There are two types of conjunctions: subordinating and coordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions are more versatile. They can be used to join words, phrases, and clauses. Subordinating conjunctions, on the other hand, only join clauses. Actually, they don’t join clauses, per say. Rather, they subordinate clauses, making a clause completely dependent on an independent clause to express a complete thought. If that explanation was confusing, you may want to start by reading this: sentence structure.
This page has a collection of worksheets and activities that I’ve created about conjunctions. These materials cover coordinating and subordinating conjunctions separately. At the end of the unit is a test that covers both. I hope that this helps you achieve your goals.
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet | At the Hospital – This 4-page worksheet on coordinating conjunctions features 30 multiple-choice questions. Students read each sentence and identify the coordinating conjunction. The worksheets are themed around a hospital to make it more interesting. It’s available at three reading levels so that it’s accessible to most students.
Reading Level 1 | Grades 3-5
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | RTF
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | PDF
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | Preview
Reading Level 2 | Grades 6-8
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | RTF
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | PDF
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | Preview
Reading Level 3 | Grades 9+
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | RTF
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | PDF
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | Preview
Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheet | Answer Key for All Levels
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Subordinating Conjunctions | In the Desert – Here’s another 4-page worksheet with 30 multiple-choice questions. This one’s about subordinating conjunctions. Students read the sentences and find the subordinating conjunctions. It’s themed around a fictional group of characters surviving in a futuristic desert, so that’s fun. Also, I wrote it at three different reading levels to maximize accessibility.
Reading Level 1 | Grades 3-5
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | RTF
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | PDF
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | Preview
Reading Level 2 | Grades 6-8
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | RTF
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | PDF
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | Preview
Reading Level 3 | Grades 9+
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | RTF
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | PDF
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | Preview
Subordinating Conjunctions Worksheet | Answer Key for All Levels
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Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet | Under the Sea – This is a great worksheet for students who have already been introduced to coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Students choose the best conjunction to complete each sentence. The sentences are based on a fictional underwater kingdom and, to help teachers differentiate their instruction, it is available at a variety of reading levels.
Reading Level 1 | Grades 3-5
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | RTF
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | PDF
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 01 | Preview
Reading Level 2 | Grades 6-8
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | RTF
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | PDF
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 02 | Preview
Reading Level 3 | Grades 9+
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | RTF
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | PDF
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet – Reading Level 03 | Preview
Choosing the Right Conjunction Worksheet | Answer Key for All Levels
View Answers
Conjunctions Test | With Cool Music – This is a great way to close out a unit on conjunctions. This multiple-choice test has 4 pages and 30 questions. It covers coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and choosing the right conjunction. It is themed around silly, fictional music performers. It’s pretty ridiculous, but I hope that students find it entertaining as well as educational. Since it’s written at three reading levels, it is very accessible.
Reading Level 1 | Grades 3-5
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 01 | RTF
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 01 | PDF
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 01 | Preview
Reading Level 2 | Grades 6-8
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 02 | RTF
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 02 | PDF
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 02 | Preview
Reading Level 3 | Grades 9+
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 03 | RTF
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 03 | PDF
Conjunctions Test – Reading Level 03 | Preview
Conjunctions Test | Answer Key for All Levels
View Answers
Coordinating Conjunctions Lesson – If you’re starting a unit on conjunctions, I think it’s best to start by covering coordinating conjunctions. There are fewer of these than subordinators, and there’s an acronym to help your remember them. This PowerPoint slideshow explains what coordinating conjunctions do and provides many examples of them in action. I’ve included a version with voice actors reading the examples and one with no sounds. I’ve also embedded my presentation of the lesson in a video after the links.
Coordinating Conjunctions Lesson | PPTX – With Sound
Coordinating Conjunctions Lesson | PPTX – Without Sound
Subordinating Conjunctions Lesson – Subordinating conjunctions are the building blocks of complex sentences. This PowerPoint lesson defines subordinating conjunctions and explains how they work. It includes many examples of subordinating conjunctions and even some practice problems to test your understanding. One of these files has people reading the examples, the other does not. Use the one without sounds if your students are easily distracted. Or just play my awesome video on subordinating conjunctions posted below.
Subordinating Conjunctions Lesson | PPTX – With Sound
Subordinating Conjunctions Lesson | PPTX – Without Sound
Clauses Lessons – Having problems with clauses and phrases? This lesson will clear that up for you. It covers subjects, predicates, objects, compound subjects, compound predicates, independent clauses, and dependent clauses. This is a fast-paced lesson covers quite a bit of sentence structure in a short time. Like the other presentations on this page, I’ve included a version with and without sounds and embedded a video of this lesson below.
Clauses Lesson | PPTX – With Sound
Clauses Lesson | PPTX – Without Sound
Common Core State Standards Related to Conjunctions
Expand to View All Common Core State Standards Related to NounsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.1 – Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
ELA Standards: Language
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1g – Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, so, because).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1h – Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2c – Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.1a – Explain the function of conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections in general and their function in particular sentences.
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