Conjunctions

Stock positions will not be refunded, ______________ the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.

• and

• but

• therefore

• for

Answer explanation

Here, two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, it is up to you to choose the one that most accurately reflects the shift in the sentence. The first clause makes the blunt statement that "stock positions will not be refunded," not exactly reassuring for concerned stockholders. The second clause then changes the tone by offering reassurance. Therefore, "but" is the correct coordinating conjunction.

Neither the painter _________________ the sculptor had received formal training.

• and

• nor

• or

• for

Answer explanation

The correct answer is "nor." This conjunction is used when two things are presented in the negative sense, in combination with the word "neither." "And" "for" and "or" are all incorrect when used in combination with the word "neither."

It was raining, ___________ we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach. 

• so

• and

• but

• for

Answer explanation

The correct answer is "so." This is because the word "so" implies causation. The rain caused the subjects of this sentence to make a choice. We are not linking the two ideas, which would require the word "and" and we are not providing a contrast, which would require the word "but." The word "for" should not be used in this sentence because we are not providing an explanation in the second clause of the sentence

She could not decide whether to go to Harvard _______________ Yale. 

• or

• nor

• for

• and

Answer explanation

The correct answer is "or." This is because the subject of the sentence is making a choice between two things in a positive sense. The other conjunctions do not work to provide the contrast that this sentence requires. 

I am planning a big dinner this weekend. I am going to make pasta _________________ apple pie.

• none of these

• so

• but

• it

Answer explanation

The correct answer is and because and is a conjunction that is used to connect words and ideas. But is used to express contradictions and So means "to the degree which something is stated". It is not correct because it is a preposition. In this sentence the speaker is connecting pasta and apple pie because they are two things that the speaker likes.

We could go to the movies _______________ the park.

• while

• or

• none of these

• and

Answer explanation

Or is the correct answer because we are linking two alternative ideas, the speakers two completely different options. And is used to connect similar ideas, but going to the park or the movies are two different options. While is used to express when two or more things are happening at the same time, but in this sentence the speaker can only choose one option.

Neither my grandmother __________________ my grandfather has ever left the country.

• but

• or

• and

• nor

Answer explanation

The correct answer is "nor." This is the only conjunction that is appropriate to be used when paired with the word "neither," making two ideas negative. This sentence refers to two people, neither of whom has left the country, so "nor" is the best choice.

I will either buy a computer _____________ a television; I cannot afford both.

• for

• and

• nor

• or

Answer explanation

The correct answer is "or." This sentence presents a choice between two things--a computer or a television. The biggest clue that "or" is the correct conjunction is the word "either." The other conjunctions are not appropriate in this sentence.  

I am either going to yoga ___________ kickboxing class tonight, both of which take place at 7:00pm. 

• so

• or

• and

• but

Answer explanation

The correct answer is "or." We know that the speaker is making a choice between two things, and cannot do both activities since they both take place at 7:00pm, which is why the answer is not "and." The conjunctions "but" and "so" do not make sense in this sentence. The best choice is "or."

When I moved to a new city, I thought I would hate it, _________ I came to see it as a wonderful place.

• but

• so

• and

• or

Answer explanation

The best choice is "but." We know that this sentence requires the word "but" because there is a contrast--at first the speaker thought one thing, but then changed her mind. The other options link sentences in different ways that aren't appropriate in this sentence.