What Are Coordinating Conjunctions?
Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect two independent clauses of equal importance. An independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone. The seven coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. You can remember them with the acronym FANBOYS. When you use a coordinating conjunction, you create a compound sentence that shows the relationship between two related ideas.
How to Form Compound Sentences
To form a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction, place a comma before the conjunction and then add the second independent clause. The pattern is: Independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunction + independent clause. Each part of the sentence must have its own subject and verb. If you forget the comma, your sentence becomes a comma splice, which is a common mistake.
Understanding Each Coordinating Conjunction
Each coordinating conjunction shows a different relationship between ideas. 'And' adds information, 'but' and 'yet' show contrast, 'or' and 'nor' offer choices, 'for' explains a reason, and 'so' indicates a result. Choose the conjunction that best explains how your two ideas are connected. Using the correct conjunction helps your reader understand your meaning more clearly.
FANBOYS Quick Reference Table
| Conjunction | FANBOYS Letter | Relationship | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| for | F | Reason / cause | She wore a coat, for it was cold outside. | Formal; always preceded by a comma |
| and | A | Addition | Tom washed the dishes, and Sara dried them. | Most common coordinating conjunction |
| nor | N | Negative addition | He doesn't smoke, nor does he drink. | Subject and auxiliary invert after nor |
| but | B | Contrast | I wanted to go, but I was too tired. | Shows an opposing or unexpected idea |
| or | O | Alternative / choice | You can take the bus, or you can walk. | Can also imply a consequence |
| yet | Y | Contrast / surprise | The task was hard, yet they finished on time. | Stronger sense of surprise than but |
| so | S | Result / effect | It started to rain, so we went inside. | Second clause is the outcome of the first |
Examples
What to Remember
- Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connect two independent clauses.
- Use the acronym FANBOYS to remember all seven coordinating conjunctions easily.
- Always place a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining independent clauses.
- A compound sentence shows the relationship between two equally important, related ideas.
- Without a comma before the conjunction, you create a run-on sentence error.