A131 Joining sentences with and, or, but.

Grammar:     Conjunctions and, or, but

AND

“AND” usually means:

  • more information
  • two things together
  • an action after another action

Examples

  • Tom plays soccer and basketball.
  • I have a dog and a cat.
  • She opened the window and sat down.
  • We studied English and watched a movie.

Practice

Fill in the blanks

  1. I bought apples _____ bananas.
  2. Sarah sings _____ dances.
  3. We went to the park _____ played soccer.
  4. My father drinks tea _____ coffee.
  5. Jack cleaned his room _____ did his homework.

OR

“OR” usually means:

  • choice
  • one possibility
  • alternatives

Examples

  • Do you want rice or noodles?
  • You can walk or take the bus.
  • Is she Canadian or American?
  • We can study now or later.

Practice 

Fill in the blanks

  1. Would you like juice _____ water?
  2. We can go today _____ tomorrow.
  3. Is your bag black _____ blue?
  4. You can call me _____ send a message.
  5. Do you want pizza _____ hamburgers?

BUT

“BUT” usually means:

  • something different
  • unexpected information
  • contrast

Examples

  • I am tired, but I will finish my work.
  • She is young, but very smart.
  • We wanted to play outside, but it rained.
  • He likes math, but he doesn’t like science.

Practice 

Fill in the blanks

  1. I was hungry, _____ I had no food.
  2. She studied hard, _____ she failed the test.
  3. The movie was long, _____ it was interesting.
  4. He is rich, _____ he is not happy.
  5. We wanted to swim, _____ the water was cold.

EXERCISES

Combine the Sentences using and, or, but 

  1. I like cats. I like dogs.
  2. Do you want tea? Do you want coffee?
  3. She is tired. She continues working.
  4. We can watch a movie. We can play games.
  5. Tom opened the door. Tom walked inside.

Possible Answers

  1. I like cats and dogs.
  2. Do you want tea or coffee?
  3. She is tired, but she continues working.
  4. We can watch a movie or play games.
  5. Tom opened the door and walked inside.

CORRECT THE MISTAKES

Correct the mistakes.

  1. I like apples but bananas.
  2. Do you want tea and coffee?
  3. She is tired and she keeps working.
  4. We can go by bus but train.
  5. He opened the window or sat down.

Answers

  1. I like apples and bananas.
  2. Do you want tea or coffee?
  3. She is tired, but she keeps working.
  4. We can go by bus or train.
  5. He opened the window and sat down.

STORY

Tom and Lisa walk to the park after school. Tom carries a soccer ball and Lisa carries some sandwiches. They want to play soccer or basketball but the basketball court is busy.

They sit on a bench and eat their sandwiches. Tom likes cheese sandwiches but Lisa likes chicken sandwiches. A small dog runs near them and Lisa laughs.

After lunch they play soccer with two other students. Tom runs fast and Lisa passes the ball well. The game is fun but Tom falls on the grass. He is not hurt and he starts laughing.

Later the sky becomes dark and the wind gets stronger. The children can stay at the park or go home. Lisa wants to stay but Tom sees rain clouds.

Soon it starts raining and everyone runs to the bus stop. Tom and Lisa are wet but happy. They talk and laugh on the bus ride home.

NEW WORDS

park, soccer, basketball, court, busy, bench, cheese, chicken, pass, grass, hurt, sky, cloud, bus stop, bus ride.

LISTENING EXERCISE

Listen to the audio (Use the player at the bottom of the screen)

QUESTIONS

1. Where do Tom and Ben go after school?

2. Why do they not play basketball?

3. What food does Tom eat for lunch?

4. What happens when Tom plays soccer?

5. Where do the boys go when the sky becomes dark?

ANSWERS

1. They go to the park after school.

2. They do not play basketball because the basketball court is busy.

3. Tom eats a cheese sandwich for lunch.

4. Tom falls on the grass and his leg hurts a little.

5. They go to the bus stop when the sky becomes dark.

 

GRAMMAR – EXTERNAL LINK

British Council Teens

NEW WORDS 

TBD