3rd Grade Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheets

The coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so) each signal a relationship: addition, contrast, choice, or result. Third graders choose the one that fits and start using them to build compound sentences, in line with the grade-3 standard on conjunctions.

Free printable PDF, aligned to Common Core L.3.1.h. One skill per page, answer key on page two.

Every sheet is one of a kind and prints with a version code, so you can reprint the exact same one later. New version every click.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Circle the letter of the joining word that fits the sentence.

My little brother wanted to stay up late, ______ he fell asleep during dinner. and · but · or
Answer: but
Ana wanted to paint, ______ the art room was locked. and · or · but
Jade plays the bells, ______ so does her best friend. for · or · and

Every print draws a fresh mix of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different sheet.

What's on each sheet

Choose the word. Circle the letter of the joining word that fits the sentence. 10 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Add "so" as the result word: it answers "what happened because of that?" The reliable routine is to read the first half, read the second half, and name the relationship out loud (same direction, opposite direction, choice, or result) before picking. Students who name the relationship first almost never miss.

Watch for: The conjunctions aren't interchangeable: 'I fell and I laughed' tells a different story than 'I fell, but I laughed'. Because is a joining word too, but it isn't a coordinating conjunction. The core set here is and, but, or, so, yet.

Common questions about coordinating conjunctions

When should students use "so" instead of "but"?: So means the second half happened because of the first: "It rained, so we went inside." But means the second half pushes against the first: "It rained, but we stayed outside." Have your student ask, is this a result or a fight? The answer picks the word.
Is "because" a coordinating conjunction?: No; because is a subordinating conjunction, which works differently in a sentence. The coordinating set third graders drill is and, but, or, so. Because gets its own worksheets under subordinating conjunctions.

Related worksheets

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One page, answer key included. A fresh version every time you click.

Aligned to Common Core L.3.1.h. Reviewed by the One More Sheet curriculum team. Content version 68, updated July 2026.