English Language Arts
Grade 4
15 min
Use conjunctions
Use conjunctions
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify coordinating and common subordinating conjunctions in sentences.
Define the purpose of a conjunction as a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Combine two simple sentences into one compound sentence using a coordinating conjunction and a comma.
Create a complex sentence by joining an independent and a dependent clause with a subordinating conjunction.
Choose the correct conjunction to show a specific relationship between ideas (e.g., addition, contrast, cause/effect).
Correctly punctuate compound sentences.
Have you ever tried to tell a story with short, choppy sentences? 🚦 It's like a car stopping and starting in traffic! Conjunctions are the green lights that make your sentences flow smoothly.
In this lesson, you will learn abo...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ConjunctionA word that acts like glue to connect words, phrases, or complete sentences (clauses).I wanted to play outside, but it was raining. ('but' is the conjunction)
Coordinating ConjunctionA conjunction that connects two ideas or sentences that are equally important. An easy way to remember them is with the acronym FANBOYS.For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. (Example sentence: 'She likes to read, and she likes to draw.')
Subordinating ConjunctionA conjunction that connects a less important clause (dependent clause) to a more important clause (independent clause). It shows a relationship like time, cause, or condition.because, since, after, although, when. (Example sentence: 'He was happy because he won the game.')
Compound SentenceA se...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Comma + FANBOYS Rule
Independent Clause + , + Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS) + Independent Clause.
When you join two complete sentences with a coordinating conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So), you must put a comma before the conjunction.
The Subordinating Conjunction Rule
Use a subordinating conjunction (like 'because', 'if', 'when', 'after') to show the relationship between two ideas. If the sentence starts with the subordinating conjunction, use a comma after that clause.
Example 1 (No comma): 'I will eat my snack after I finish my homework.' Example 2 (With comma): 'After I finish my homework, I will eat my snack.'
Choose the Right Connector
Select the conjunction that shows the correct me...
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Challenging
Read the sentences below. Which one contains an error in the use of a conjunction?
A.Neither the teacher nor the students knew the answer.
B.You can have either cake or ice cream for dessert.
C.He was not only smart but also kind.
D.Both my dog and my cat like to sleep on the sofa.
Challenging
Original sentence: 'I went to the library because I needed to finish my report.' How does the meaning change if you replace 'because' with 'although'?
A.It creates a contrast, suggesting that going to the library was an unusual or difficult way to finish the report.
B.It shows that going to the library and finishing the report happened at the same time.
C.It makes finishing the report a condition for going to the library.
D.It does not change the meaning of the sentence at all.
Challenging
Which is the best way to combine these three ideas into one complex sentence? 'The storm was coming. We packed our picnic basket. We hurried home.'
A.The storm was coming, and we packed our picnic basket, and we hurried home.
B.We packed our picnic basket, but we hurried home because the storm was coming.
C.The storm was coming, so we packed our picnic basket, or we hurried home.
D.Because the storm was coming, we packed our picnic basket and hurried home.
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