Conjunctions!

Conjunctions• Rules to Remember

Rule: Coordinating conjunctions are connecting words. They join words, phrases, or clauses. Two of

the most commonly used coordinating conjunctions are and and or.

Salesman knocks on door and says to little girl in the yard: “Is your

mother home?”

Little girl: “Yes.”

When nobody comes to the door, the salesman says: “I thought you

said she was home!”

Little girl: “She is. I don’t live here.”

• Explanation: “and” means “in addition to” or “at the same time.”

Girl: “Which do you think is more important: the sun or the moon?”

Boy: “Obviously, the moon.”

Girl: “Why do you think so?”

Boy: “The moon gives us light at night, which is when we need it. The

sun only gives us light during the day, which is when we don’t need it.”

• Explanation: “or” implies a choice.

The coordinating conjunctions but and yet indicate contrast.

What has 88 teeth but never brushes them?

. . .

a piano

When can a pocket be empty and yet have something in it?

. . .

when it’s got a hole in it

Rule: Subordinating conjunctions, such as so, unless, and because indicate

cause and effect.

Why was the mummy sent into the game to pinch-hit?

. . .

so he could wrap up the game

How are riddles just like pencils?

. . .

They’re no good unless they have a point.

Why did the boy keep on his shirt when he took a bath?

. . .

because the label said wash and wear

©Teacher Created Resources, Inc. #3019 Laugh and Learn Grammar

Conjunctions • Practice Page

Directions: Complete each joke by writing one of the conjunctions from the box. Each conjunction is

used more than once.

and because but or so

1. Teacher: “Where is the English Channel?”

Student: “I don’t know. We don’t have cable, __________ we only get the local

stations.”

2. How do you know that the moon prefers clear nights?

. . .

__________ when the clouds disappear, the moon beams

3. What coat has no zipper __________ buttons __________ must be put on wet?

. . .

a coat of paint

4. Which are the most mathematical bugs?

. . .

Mosquitoes. They subtract from pleasure, add to misery, divide your attention,

__________ multiply rapidly.

5. Mother: “Why are animal crackers spread all over the table?”

Child: “I’m searching them.”

Mother: “For what?”

Child: “The box says you shouldn’t eat them if the seal is broken.

. . .

________, I’m looking for the seal.”

6. Girl: “How was the play you went to last night?”

Boy: “It was good, __________ I only saw the first act.”

Girl: “Why?”

Boy: “The program said, “Act 2. . . Three Months Later.”

. . .

___________ I went home.”

7. Why couldn’t the mummy answer the telephone?

. . .

__________ he was tied up

8. Hopeful boyfriend: “Sir, I’d like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Father: “Sorry, you’ve got to take all of her __________ nothing.”

9. What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment, __________ never in a hundred

thousand years?

. . .

the letter M

10. How was the blind carpenter’s sight restored?

. . . He picked up his hammer __________ saw.