Chapter 4: Diagramming Coordinating Conjunctions

Learn about diagramming coordinating conjunctions with these grammar exercises!

You can also download the 120-page Sentence Diagramming Exercises book with all 11 chapters of instructions, exercises, and answer keys. It's perfect for homeschool and classroom teachers and students.

A Quick Refresher

Remember that these conjunctions connect words, phrases, and independent clauses. The connected elements are said to be compound.

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions!

and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet

Mark and Jake walked around the block.

This sentence has two subjects joined with the coordinating conjunction and. That means that this sentence has a compound subject.

Mark walked around the block and up the ladder.

This sentence has two prepositional phrases joined with the coordinating conjunction and. That means that this sentences has a compound phrase.

If you'd like more help with conjunctions, see these pages:

conjunctions, list of conjunctions

4.0 Diagramming Compound Words

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunctions on dotted lines between the words that they connect.

The exercises in this section will only have compound words (subjects, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and objects of the preposition).

Since the diagram will look different for each type of word, here are examples of how to diagram compound subjects, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and objects of the preposition.

Use these examples to help you complete the exercises.

Examples:

Examples with words:

Wow! That was a lot of examples! Finally, here are the exercises. I've given you a hint on the first two questions.

1. Mr. Travers teaches at the school and plays outside at recess. (compound verb)

2. Matt and Dina learn from Mr. Travers. (compound subject)

3. Lori's blue and green dress has been drying on the clothesline in the yard.

4. I looked for the jacket in the house and the car.

5. Scott jogged quickly and quietly onto the soccer field.

4.1 Diagramming Compound Phrases

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunctions on dotted lines between the words or phrases that they connect. (See the example.)

I've given you hints on the first two questions.

1. The students were running in the halls and were sent to the principal's office. (compound verb phrase)

2. My sister drove around the block and up the hill. (compound prepositional phrase)

3. The crazy little dog ran out the door and toward the stranger.

4. Lori and Lisa were laughing and howling at the funny movie. (This one has a compound main verb. Both of the verbs share the helping verb were. See if you can figure out how to diagram this.)

5. Jason looked in the garage and around the house.

4.2 Diagramming Compound Sentences

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunction on a dotted line between the clauses that it connects. (See the example.)

1. The little kitty in the basket meowed, and the small girl smiled.

2. He drove across town, but she walked.

3. Have you tried, or did you just ask for help?

4. The man in the backyard cried, for he fell from the tall ladder.

5. Should you have been running towards the dog, or should you have been running away from it?

4.3 Diagramming: Putting It All Together

Directions: Diagram these sentences using everything that you have learned so far!

1. This red and gray sweater itches and smells like mothballs.

2. Tomorrow, I will swim down the river and into the ocean.

3. Fred and Ginger have been dancing on the dance floor since last night!

4. Have you been dancing and juggling on my very favorite coffee table?

5. Slowly and deliberately, the monkey climbed around the limbs of the tree.

Check Your Answers

Get all of these answers in the Sentence Diagramming Exercises book!

Diagramming sentences is an effective and engaging way to learn or teach grammar.

You'll learn grammar and diagramming with these short, simple lessons and exercises, and you'll find all of the answers in the back so that you can easily check your work.

When you're done with this book, you'll possess a powerful tool for using and understanding language.

You'll be able to write with clarity, and you'll actually enjoy grammar.

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