4th Grade Coordinating Conjunctions Worksheets

Fourth graders work with the full everyday set, including yet (a sharper cousin of but), and they read more carefully to tell "so" (result) from "but" (contrast). Choosing the right conjunction is groundwork for the compound-sentence punctuation rules at this grade.

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.

The trail was steep, ______ the hikers reached the lookout anyway. but · so · or
Answer: but
Amara sorted the photographs, ______ then she labeled each album by year. and · but · or
Zoe sketched the barn, ______ then she painted the sky behind it. or · but · 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

Introduce yet as "but with raised eyebrows": it flags a contrast that's surprising ("she practiced for weeks, yet the trick still failed"). Sentences where both "so" and "but" feel tempting are worth slowing down on: ask whether the second half is a result of the first or a push against it. That single question resolves nearly every case.

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

What does "yet" mean in a sentence?: A surprising but. "He studied for weeks, yet he still felt nervous" signals that the second half defies what the first half led you to expect. Fourth graders who already own "but" pick up yet quickly; it's the same job with more surprise in it.
How does this connect to compound sentences?: A comma plus a coordinating conjunction is how two complete thoughts legally join into one sentence, which is a 4th grade punctuation standard. Choosing the right conjunction is step one; placing the comma before it is step two, and it gets its own worksheet set.

Related worksheets

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