Chapter 4: Diagramming Coordinating Conjunctions

Elizabeth O'Brien


Chapter 4: Diagramming
Coordinating Conjunctions

Learn about diagramming coordinating conjunctions with these grammar exercises!

Sentence diagram of coordinating conjunction

You can also download the 120-page Sentence Diagramming Exercises book with all 11 chapters of instructions, exercises, and answer keys. It's perfect for homeschool and classroom teachers and students.

Remember that these conjunctions connect words, phrases, and independent clauses. The connected elements are said to be compound. There are only seven coordinating conjunctions!


Mark and Jake walked around the block.

This sentence has two subjects joined with the coordinating conjunction and. That means that this sentence has a compound subject.

Mark walked around the block and up the ladder.

This sentence has two prepositional phrases joined with the coordinating conjunction and. That means that this sentence has a compound phrase.

4.0 Diagramming Compound Words

We structure each compound element differently in our sentence diagrams. Here are examples of how to diagram compound subjects, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and objects of the preposition.

Use these examples to help you complete the exercises below.

Example Diagrams

Sentence diagram compound elements

Examples Diagrams with Words

Sentence Diagrams with Compound Elements

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunctions on a dotted line between the words that they connect. 

The exercises in this section will only have compound words (subjects, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and objects of the preposition). I've given you a hint on the first two questions.

1. Mr. Travers teaches at the school and plays outside at recess. (compound verb)

2. Matt and Dina learn from Mr. Travers. (compound subject)

3. Lori's blue and green dress has been drying on the clothesline in the yard.

4. I looked for the jacket in the house and the car.

5. Scott jogged quickly and quietly onto the soccer field.

4.1 Diagramming Compound Phrases

Phrases are groups of words that function as single parts of speech

Here are examples for diagramming verb phrases and prepositional phrases. 

Sentence Diagram Compound Phrases

Mark is walking but had been running. (compound verb phrase)

Sunny walked over the hill and into the park. (compound prepositional phrase)

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunctions on a dotted line between the phrases that they connect. I've given you hints on the first two questions.

1. The students were running in the halls and were sent to the principal's office. (compound verb phrase)

2. My sister drove around the block and up the hill. (compound prepositional phrase)

3. The crazy little dog ran out the door and toward the stranger.

4. Lori and Lisa were laughing and howling at the funny movie. (This one has a compound main verb. Both of the verbs share the helping verb were. See if you can figure out how to diagram this.)

5. Jason looked in the garage and around the house.

4.2 Diagramming Compound Sentences

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. We can make sentences compound by putting two or more independent clauses together with a coordinating conjunction.

Compound Sentence Sentence Diagram

She cooked, and he cleaned. (compound sentence)

Directions: Diagram the following sentences by placing the coordinating conjunction on a dotted line between the clauses that it connects. 

1. The little kitty in the basket meowed, and the small girl smiled.

2. He drove across town, but she walked.

3. Have you tried, or did you just ask for help?

4. The man in the backyard cried, for he fell from the tall ladder.

5. Should you have been running towards the dog, or should you have been running away from it?

4.3 Diagramming Coordinating Conjunctions: Putting It All Together

Directions: Diagram these sentences using everything that you have learned so far!

1. This red and gray sweater itches and smells like mothballs.

2. Tomorrow, I will swim down the river and into the ocean.

3. Fred and Ginger have been dancing on the dance floor since last night!

4. Have you been dancing and juggling on my very favorite coffee table?

5. Slowly and deliberately, the monkey climbed around the limbs of the tree.

Check Your Answers

Get all of these answers in the ebook!

Sentence Diagramming Exercises Book

You'll learn grammar and diagramming with these short, simple lessons and exercises, and you'll find all of the answers in the back so that you can easily check your work.

When you're done with this book, you'll possess a powerful tool for using and understanding language.

You'll be able to write with clarity, and you'll actually enjoy grammar.

I started using your grammar exercises in my writing classes, and the students are quite engaged.

- Susan, ESL Teacher

Go To Diagramming Sentences Chapter Five

Elizabeth O'Brien from Grammar Revolution


I have adopted your Sentence Diagramming Exercises as the backbone of our developmental English program at Southeastern University. We are using it for our sections of College Reading and Writing on campus plus we are using it at our satellite campuses and for our evening and online courses. 

As an EFL teacher of international students and a college composition and writing instructor, I believe I've found in your materials my missing link for fostering adult literacy in English. Thank you!

- Dr. Annette Graves, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida

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Elizabeth O'Brien

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