Chapter 16: Coordinating Conjunctions English Grammar Worksheet (Page 6 of 8) in pdf

11. The president’s assistant will neither confirm nor deny the story.

12. Both coal

and oil are irreplaceable natural resources.

Not only coal but also oil is an

irreplaceable natural resource.

13. Both smallpox and malaria are dangerous diseases.

14. Neither her roommates nor her brother knows where she is.

15. According to the

news report, it will either snow or rain tonight.

CHART 16-3: COMBINING INDEPENDENT CLAUSES WITH

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

•

Formal English usually requires a comma preceding the conjunction when it connects two

independent clauses. Example (e) is generally not favored in formal English, but is common

in informal writing such as letters to friends and family.

•

Another term for a “run-on sentence” is a “comma splice” when a comma is used in place

of a period. Run-on sentences are a common problem in student writing (native and non-

native alike).

independent clauses in a series: Janet washed the windows, Bob swept the floor, and I dusted the

•

Advanced students may be interested to know that it is possible to use commas between

: Janet washed the windows, Bob swept the floor.

furniture.

INCORRECT

•

Another conjunction could be added to this section if you wish. The connector “then” is

frequently used in the pattern of coordinating conjunctions between two independent clauses:

Remove the book from the shelf yourself, then take it to the librarian to check it out.

Stir the flour and milk, then add two eggs and a cup of sugar.

Buy your ticket at the counter, then proceed to the gate.

We ate, then we started home. (This example is taken from the Random HouseWebster’s

College Dictionary.)

: Some English stylists may not approve using a comma and then to connect two

NOTE

independent clauses, preferring to use a period and a capitalized Then.

EXERCISES 11 and 12, pp. 356–357. Combining independent clauses with coordinating

conjunctions. (Chart 16-3)

Exercise 11 should be done as seatwork in about five to eight minutes. After reviewing the

answers with you, the students could continue with Exercise 12 as seatwork or homework.

Exercise 11 is intended to help you explain the chart. Exercise 12 is intended as practice for

the students.

2. The teacher lectured. The students took notes.

3. The teacher

EX. 11 ANSWERS:

lectured, and the students took notes.

[The comma is not required between two short clauses.

4. Elena came to the meeting,

Also possible, informally: period and capitalized And . . . . ]

but Pedro stayed home.

[The comma is not required. Also possible: period and capitalized

5. Elena came to the meeting. Her brother stayed home.

6. Her

But . . . . ]

academic record was outstanding, yet she was not accepted by the university.

7. I have

not finished writing my term paper yet. I will not be finished until sometime next week.

8. (no change)

9. We had to go to the

[ for is a preposition, not a conjunction, here.]

grocery store, for there was nothing in the house to fix for dinner.

10. Kostas didn’t

have enough money to buy an airplane ticket, so he couldn’t fly home for the holiday.

178

CHAPTER 16, Coordinating Conjunctions

Chapter 16: Coordinating Conjunctions English Grammar Worksheet Page 6

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