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.
Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.3.1.h.
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The kind of sentences you'll get
Circle the letter of the joining word that fits the sentence.
-
Theo’s new kite is beautiful, it will not fly.
but · and · or
Answer: but
- Should we take the bus ride our bikes to the fair? and · but · or
- The joke in the story was funny, the whole class laughed. but · so · or
Every print pulls a fresh set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same 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
- 1st grade coordinating conjunctions A step easier, same skill
- 2nd grade coordinating conjunctions A step easier, same skill
- 4th grade coordinating conjunctions A step harder, same skill
- 3rd grade adverbs of how, when, and where Same grade, nearby skill
- 3rd grade articles (a, an, the) Same grade, nearby skill
- 3rd grade collective nouns Same grade, nearby skill
- Coordinating conjunctions, all grades The full progression
- All 3rd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 3rd grade worksheets Everything at this level
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Aligned to Common Core L.3.1.h. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 137, updated August 2026.
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