Chapter 4:
Diagramming Coordinating Conjunctions

Learn about diagramming coordinating conjunctions with these exercises. There are five questions for each section.

You can also download the 70 page PDF ebook with all 10 chapters of instructions, exercises, and answer keys. It's perfect for homeschool and classroom teachers and students.

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

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions:

For instance, look at this example sentence:

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

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

These exercises include:

For help, see these pages:conjunctions,list of conjunctions

4.0 Diagramming Compound Words

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunction on a dotted line between the words that it connects. 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:

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. Mattingly 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. Luc jogged quickly and quietly onto the soccer field.

4.1 Diagramming Compound Phrases

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

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

1. The students were laughing at the teacher 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 through the door and toward the stranger.

4. Lori and Lisa were laughing and howling at the funny movie. (This one is 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 sentences that it connects. (See the example.)

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

2. He went home, but she didn't. (n't is a contraction for not, which is an adverb.)

3. Have you tried, or will you 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.

Answers!

Get all of these answers in the ebook!

---

Finished Chapter 4: Diagramming Coordinating Conjunctions?
Move on to Chapter 5.

Back to Exercises Page

Back to English Grammar Home Page