FANBOYS= for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

For: explains reason or purpose ( just like because)

I go to the park every Sunday, for I love to watch the ducks on the lake.
And: Adds one thins to another
I go to the park every Sunday to watch the ducks on the lake and the
shirtless men playing soccer.
Nor: Used to present an alternative negative idea to an already stated
negative idea
I dont go for the fresh air nor really for the ducks. Honestly, I just like the
soceer.
But: Showing contrast
The soccer in the park is entertaining in the winter, but its better in the heat
of summer.
Or: presents an alternatives or a choice
The men play on teams: shirts or skins
Yet: introduces a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically
( similar to but)
I always take a book to read, yet I never seem to turn a single page.
So: indicates effect, result or consequence
Ive started dating one of the soccer players, so now I have an excuse to
watch the game each week.
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/conjunctions/coordinatingconjunctions.html ( 1996, Your Dictionary)
coordinating conjunction
By Richard Nordquist
Grammar & Composition Expert
A mnemonic for the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Definition:

A conjunction that joins two similarly constructed and/or syntactically equal

words or phrases or clauses within a sentence.

The coordinating conjunctions are and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet. Compare with
subordinating conjunction.

In some cases, as illustrated below, a coordinating conjunction may also be

used at the beginning of a new sentence.
http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/coordconjterm.htm
( about education, Richard Nordquist)
A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or groups of words in a
sentence. The words or phrases being connected should be equal or similar.
English Modal Verbs: check out our new series of illustrated workbooks!

illustrated workbook illustrated workbook

For example, the word and is a coordinating conjunction.

Example sentences with "and":

We are hungry and thirsty.
He asked us to clean our rooms and wash the dishes.
John works as a teacher and Beth works as a nurse.
The mailman is running away and the dog is chasing him.
Mailman

There are seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language.

An easy way to remember the coordinating conjunctions is to remember

FANBOYS.

F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so

Coordinating conjunctions always go between the words or phrases that they

are connecting.

In the examples below, the equal parts of the sentences that are being joined
are underlined. The coordinating conjunction is bold.

Examples:

I will be late to the party, for I am working until seven.

Tom likes to read and write.

Sally does not like the mountains, nor does she like the ocean.

I wanted to ride my bike, but the tire was flat.

Fred wants peas or carrots for supper.

I love chocolate, yet I do not eat chocolate ice cream.

She was late to work, so her boss made her stay after five.

Late
Rules for using a coordinating conjunction
1. Put a comma before the coordinating conjunction when it is used to
connect two independent clauses.

A clause is a group of words the contain a subject and a verb.

An independent clause (or main clause) expresses a complete thought. It can

stand alone as a sentence. For example, "I like apples."

(A dependent clause does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand

alone as a sentence. For example, "that I saw last month.")

Examples of independent clauses:

Tom walked the dog.

Subject = Tom
Verb = walked

"Tom walked the dog" is an independent clause.

Tom grabbed the mail.

Subject = Tom
Verb = grabbed

"Tom grabbed the mail" is also an independent clause.

These two independent clauses can be combined with a coordinating
conjunction. When we combine these two sentences, the second "Tom" will
be changed to "he."

Examples:
Tom walked the dog, so he grabbed the mail.
OR
Tom walked the dog, and he grabbed the mail.
Both parts of the sentence have a subject and verb (before and after the
coordinating conjunction).

Here are a few more examples of coordinating conjunctions connecting

independent clauses.

Incorrect: I want to go see a movie but my sister has my car.

Correct: I want to go see a movie, but my sister has my car.

Incorrect: Lisa loves cats yet she does not want one living in her house.

Correct: Lisa loves cats, yet she does not want one living in her house.

Cat

2. When using a coordinating conjunction to connect two items, do not use a

comma.

In the example above with Tom and his dog, we can leave out the comma if
we do not have two independent clauses. We do this by leaving out the
subject in the second part of the sentence (he).

Example:
Tom walked the dog and grabbed the mail.
("Tom walked the dog" is an independent clause, but "grabbed the mail" is
not.)
Here are a few more examples of how to use a coordinating conjunction to
connect two items that are not independent clauses.

Incorrect: She likes apples, and bananas.

Correct: She likes apples and bananas.

Incorrect: My brother is young, but smart.

Correct: My brother is young but smart.

Brothers

3. When using a coordinating conjunction with a list of items (three or more in

number), the comma before the coordinating conjunction is optional.

You should put or leave out the comma before the coordinating conjunction
based on the style guide you are using.

Example with comma:

She is cooking chicken, potatoes, corn, and carrot.

Example without comma:

She is cooking chicken, potatoes, corn and carrot.
http://www.really-learn-english.com/coordinating-conjunction.html
( 2010, Really Learn English )