Conjunction Lists

A conjunction definition for kids is, “a word that acts as a ‘joining word’, connecting pairs or groups of words and clauses in a sentence.”

Many conjunctions are high-frequency words, such as “and”, which are commonly understood and used by children in kindergarten and first grade. Spelling practice for conjunctions can continue through Grade 2, but conjunctions are not taught as grammar until third grade. Using a grade level appropriate conjunctions list, paired with interactive activities and games for kids, can help students retain this important information and grow as readers and writers.

Teaching Lists of Conjunctions

In Grade 3, students learn the three most common conjunctions (and, or, but) are coordinating conjunctions, which combine related sentences into a compound sentence (the water was warm, but I didn’t go swimming). They learn when to use each of these three common conjunctions to connect words, clauses, or sentences: to add information (and), to show a choice (or), and to show a difference (but). All lists of conjunctions studied early in the learning process should include these 3 core words.

Students begin to learn some common subordinating conjunctions (although, because, if, when, before, after, while, whether, since, until) they can use to make complex sentences (I went swimming although the water was freezing). Students learn that there are many more subordinating conjunctions than coordinating conjunctions, and word study of conjunction lists should continue to introduce more subordinating conjunctions and provide opportunities for students to use and identify correlative conjunctions. Implementing conjunction games for kids and interactive activities can help students retain knowledge while enjoying learning.

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