Conjunctions

What are Conjunctions?

Conjunctions are "glue words." Their job is to stick words, phrases, or whole sentences together. Without them, our writing would feel very choppy, like a robot talking in short bursts.

The Big 3: And, But, Or In Grade 1, we mostly use these three special conjunctions. Each one has a different job:

1. And (The Plus Sign) Use and when you want to add more information or join things that are alike.

• Example: I like apples and bananas.
• Sentence: The sun came out, and the birds started to sing.

2. But (The Change of Direction) Use but when you want to show a difference or a surprise. It connects two ideas that are opposites.

• Example: I want to play outside, but it is raining.
• Sentence: The kitten is small, but it is very brave.

3. Or (The Choice) Use or when there is a choice to make between two or more things.

• Example: Do you want milk or juice?
• Sentence: We can go to the park, or we can go to the zoo.

How Conjunctions Change Sentences Watch how we can turn two short sentences into one long, smooth sentence:

• Short Sentences: I have a dog. I have a cat.
• With "And": I have a dog and a cat.
• Short Sentences: It was cold. I did not wear a coat.
• With "But": It was cold, but I did not wear a coat.

The Comma Rule When you use a conjunction to join two complete sentences (sentences that could stand on their own), you usually put a little comma right before the glue word.

Sentence 1: I went to the store. Sentence 2: I bought some milk. Joined: I went to the store**, and** I bought some milk.

Why Do We Use Conjunctions?

• Flow: They make your writing sound more natural and less "choppy."
• Detail: They allow you to put more information into one thought.
• Clarity: They help the reader understand the relationship between your ideas (Is it an addition? A choice? A contrast?).

Lesson Summary

• And adds things together.
• But shows a change or difference.
• Or gives a choice.