Content updated on 18 April 2026
Learn how basic conjunctions—and, but, or—connect words and sentences. This lesson is designed for Class 6 and 7 students following the CBSE and UP Board syllabus. Master these three connectors and start writing better English today.
✅ Recommended for: Class 6-7 (Foundation) | CBSE & UP Board
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Conjunctions are the little words that do a big job. They join words, groups of words, or whole ideas together so that our sentences flow smoothly. In this lesson, we'll take a close look at three basic conjunctions every Class 6 and 7 student must know: and, but, and or.
Basic Conjunctions: and (เคोเคก़เคจे เคे เคฒिเค), but (เคตिเคฐोเคง เคฏा เค ंเคคเคฐ เคฌเคคाเคจे เคे เคฒिเค), or (เคตिเคเคฒ्เคช เคฆेเคจे เคे เคฒिเค)
What are Conjunctions?
Think of a conjunction as a bridge. Just as a bridge connects two banks of a river, a conjunction connects two parts of a sentence. Look at these examples:
- Riya and Priya are sisters. (joins two nouns)
- He is slow but steady. (joins two adjectives)
- Would you like tea or coffee? (joins two nouns and shows choice)
Without conjunctions, our speech would sound like a broken record—short and disconnected. Conjunctions help us combine thoughts and show how they relate to each other.
Using AND — Addition
And is the most common conjunction. It simply adds one idea to another. Think of it like the plus sign (+) in maths.
| Use | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Joining two nouns | Ram and Shyam are friends. | Two people are connected. |
| Joining two adjectives | The dress is beautiful and elegant. | Two qualities are listed. |
| Joining two verbs | She sings and dances well. | Two actions performed by the same person. |
| Joining two sentences | I went to the market. I bought fruits. → I went to the market and bought fruits. |
Combines two related actions into one smooth sentence. |
Using BUT — Contrast
But introduces a difference or an opposite idea. It's like a signal that says, "Wait, there's a twist here!"
| Use | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast between adjectives | The bag is small but heavy. | "Small" suggests light weight, but here it's the opposite. |
| Contrast between ideas | She studied hard but failed the exam. | Hard work did not bring the expected result. |
| Joining two sentences | He is rich. He is unhappy. → He is rich but unhappy. |
Shows an unexpected or surprising contrast. |
Using OR — Choice
Or presents options. It tells the reader that only one of the possibilities can be chosen.
| Use | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Choice between two nouns | Do you want tea or coffee? | You must pick one. |
| Choice between actions | You can study now or play later. | Two possible activities. |
| Warning / Consequence | Hurry up or you will miss the bus. | If you don't do the first action, something bad will happen. |
Punctuation Rules with Basic Conjunctions
Many students wonder when to put a comma before and, but, or. The rules are simpler than you think. Study this table carefully.
| Situation | Comma Needed? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Joining two words | No | Apples and oranges |
| Joining two phrases | No | She sings well and dances gracefully. |
| Joining two complete sentences (independent clauses) | Yes — comma before conjunction | I like tea, but she likes coffee. |
| List of three or more items | Yes — commas between items, conjunction before last | We bought apples, bananas, and oranges. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong ❌ | Right ✅ | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| I like tea, coffee. | I like tea and coffee. | A comma alone cannot join two words; you need a conjunction. |
| She is intelligent but she is lazy. | She is intelligent but lazy. | Don't repeat the subject if it's the same in both parts. |
| Do you want apple and banana? | Do you want apple or banana? | For choice, always use or. |
| He was hungry, and ate quickly. | He was hungry and ate quickly. | No comma before "and" when joining a clause with a phrase. |
Solved Examples
“Rohan is tall ______ his brother is short.”
Show Solution
Explanation: The sentence shows a contrast between Rohan's height and his brother's height. "But" is the correct word for contrast.
“I woke up early. I went for a walk.”
Show Solution
Explanation: Both actions are done by the same person, one after the other. Use "and" to join them without repeating "I".
“You must work hard ______ you will fail.”
Show Solution
Explanation: "Or" is used to show a negative result if the first action isn't taken. The meaning is: Work hard, otherwise you will fail.
Practice Questions
Now it's your turn. Attempt each question on your own, then click "Show Answer" to check.
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Why Basic Conjunctions Matter
Mastering and, but, or is like learning to tie your shoelaces—once you get it, everything else becomes easier. These three words are the backbone of compound sentences. Students who are confident with basic conjunctions find it much simpler to write paragraphs, frame answers in exams, and understand comprehension passages. This topic is directly aligned with the CBSE and UP Board English syllabus for Classes 6 and 7.
If you want to see how conjunctions work in longer texts, read through our detailed guide on Sentence Structure. And when you're ready to move ahead, the Conjunctions and Interjections Hub has everything you need for the next topics: correlative conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and interjections.
- Mathematics Hub — Worksheets, formulas, and step‑by‑step solutions for all classes.
- Hindi Grammar Hub — Complete coverage of เคต्เคฏाเคเคฐเคฃ from เคธंเค्เคा to เค เคฒंเคाเคฐ.
- Worksheets Master Hub — Printable and interactive practice material for every subject.
- GPN Knowledge Hub — Study tips, exam strategies, and revision guides.
๐ Practice Basic Conjunctions
Test your understanding with our 25‑question interactive worksheet on and, but, or. Includes punctuation practice and error correction.
Go to Basic Conjunctions Worksheet →Answer key included • Covers FANBOYS • Punctuation rules • Error spotting
