Conjunctions are connecting words. They connect words, phrases and clauses together. Examples of common conjunctions are: and, but, or, because, so, though, when, before, after, if.

How to use conjunctions correctly?

Use only one conjunction to connect two clauses.

Study the examples given below.

• I was hungry. I ate a sandwich.

There is a cause and effect relationship between these two sentences. We can combine them using the conjunction because or so.

• Because I was hungry I ate a sandwich.
• I ate a sandwich because I was hungry.
• I was hungry so I ate a sandwich. (NOT Because I was hungry so I ate a sandwich.)

Another example is given below.

• It was very cold. We sat around the fire.

We can combine these two clauses using the conjunctions as, because or so.

• As it was very cold, we sat around the fire.
• It was very cold so we sat around the fire.
• Because it was very cold we sat around the fire.
• We sat around the fire because it was very cold. (NOT As it was very cold so we sat around the fire.)

Note that the conjunctions as and because show the reason.

Worksheet 1

Fill in the blanks with one of the conjunctions given below.

(and, but, because, so)

1. I was tired …………………. I went to bed early.

2. He was angry …………………… upset.

3. I drank a lot of water ……………………. I was very thirsty.

4. The woman was anxious …………………….. her child had not returned from school.

5. I want to be a doctor ……………………. I study hard.

6. He was tired …………………… he went on working.

7. I trusted him …………………….. he cheated me.

8. He went to the store ………………….. bought some notebooks.

9. I could not meet them …………………….. they had already left.

10. I wanted to talk to him …………………… I called him.

Answers

1. so, 2. and, 3. because, 4. because, 5. so, 6. but, 7. but, 8. and, 9. because, 10. so

Worksheet 2

Combine the following sentences using an appropriate conjunction.

1. She works hard. She wants to earn more money.

2. It is already too late. We cannot go out now.

3. He cannot walk. He has injured his leg.

4. She does not eat well. She is losing weight.

5. I missed the train. I was late to work.

6. The car broke down on the way to airport. I missed the flight.

7. She exercises daily. She wants to lose weight.

8. I was late to school. I overslept.

9. She studies hard. She wants to score good marks.

10. Don’t provoke the dog. It might bite you.

Answers

1. She works hard because she wants to earn more money.

2. It is already too late so we cannot go out now. / As it is already too late, we cannot go out now.

3. He cannot walk because he has injured his leg. / As he has injured his leg, he cannot walk.

4. As she does not eat well she is losing weight.

5. I missed the train so I was late to work. / As I missed the train, I was late to work.

6. The car broke down on the way to airport so I missed the flight. / As the car broke down on the way to airport, I missed the flight.

7. She exercises daily because she wants to lose weight. / As she wants to lose weight, she exercises daily.

8. I was late to school because I overslept. / As I overslept, I was late to school.

9. She studies hard because she wants to score good marks. / As she wants to score good marks, she studies hard. / She wants to score good marks so she studies hard.

10. If you provoke the dog, it might bite you.

Worksheet 3

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate conjunction.

1. …………………… she is poor, she cannot buy expensive clothes.

2. My parents were poor ……………………. they could not send us to university.

3. ……………………… you are hungry, I will get you something to eat.

4. The mother was anxious …………………….. her child hadn’t returned from school.

5. The patient died ……………………… he didn’t receive prompt medical care.

6. ………………………… you don’t submit your application before the last date, it will be rejected.

7. ……………………….. it was a stormy day, we cancelled the trip.

8. I called him ……………………. I wanted to discuss my problems with him.

9. ……………………….. he eats a lot of fatty foods, he does not gain much weight.

10. ……………………… you want to lose weight, you should limit the consumption of fatty foods.

11. I will call you ……………………… dinner is ready.

12. She will help ……………………. you talk to her about your problems.

Answers

1. As, 2. so, 3. If, 4. because, 5. because, 6. If, 7. As, 8. because, 9. Though/Although, 10. If, 11. when, 12. if

Worksheet 4

1. Everyone loved her ………………………….. she was a good girl.

2. He worked hard …………………………. he passed the test.

3. ………………………….. he worked hard, he passed the test.

4. She is a writer ……………………….. I am a singer.

5. She worked hard ………………………….. she did not get the promotion.

6. He opened the door …………………………….. went out.

7. I ate a banana …………………………… I was hungry.

8. The last bus had gone ………………………….. we had to walk.

9. She was an intelligent girl …………………………… she could not solve the puzzle.

10. The girl was frightened …………………………….. she started crying.

11. The child was crying ……………………………. he was hungry.

12. The birds are migrating ………………………… winter is coming.

Answers

1. because, 2. so, 3. because, 4. and, 5. but, 6. and, 7. because, 8. so, 9. but, 10. so, 11. because, 12. because