COORDINATING

CONJUNCTIONS

Coordinating
A

Conjunctions

coordinating conjunction is a word that

joins equals to one another: word to word,
phrase to phrase, or clause to clause. If it is
used to connect two or more independent
clauses, a compound sentence is formed.
When a coordinating conjunction is used to
join two independent clauses, a comma
needs to be placed before the coordinating
conjunction.

Use

the acronym FANBOYS to

help you remember the seven most
commonly
used
coordinating
conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or,
yet, and so. Each of these short but
important words is used for a
particular purpose or function.

FOR
It is used to express the cause in a
cause-effect relationship in a
compound sentence where the effect
is stated first.
AND
It is used to list two or more items or
statements that are seen as equally
true.

NOR
It is used to join two negative items
or statements.
BUT
It is used to introduce a clause that
contradicts the one that precedes
it.

OR
It is used to list two or more alternative
choices.
YET
It is used to provide additional
information or another fact that would
not naturally appear to follow the
information that came before. By
definition, it means nevertheless or
notwithstanding.

SO
It is used to express the effect
in a cause-effect relationship
in a compound sentence
where the cause is stated first.