Coordinating conjunctions work to join or connect elements that are of similar grammatical nature. In other words, they link a word with a word, a phrase with a phrase, or a clause with a clause.
There are 7 coordinating conjunctions in the English language: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. They’re commonly known by the acronym FANBOYS, and each of them serves a specific grammatical purpose in writing.
But before delving into each coordinating conjunction in detail, here are some general functions of all coordinating conjunctions.
What Coordinating Conjunctions Do
1. Coordinating conjunctions join two words of the same grammatical rank – two nouns, two verbs, two adjectives, and so on.
For example:
- Sharon enjoys pizzas and burgers.
Here, the coordinating conjunction and links the nouns pizzas and burgers.
- Students must be able to sing or dance to take part in the musical.
Here, the coordinating conjunction or connects the verbs sing and dance.
- Ronald has a big but timid dog.
In the above sentence, the coordinating conjunction but links the adjectives big and timid.
2. Two phrases can also be connected by a coordinating conjunction.
- I prefer to study at the library or at home.
Here, the phrases at the library and at home are linked by the coordinating conjunction or.
3. Two clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction as well.
- He wants to drive to work every day, but he doesn’t have a driver’s license.
In the above example, he wants to drive to work every day and he doesn’t have a driver’s license are independent clauses linked by the coordinating conjunction but. While the clauses can stand alone as independent sentences, connecting them using a coordinating conjunction improves readability and coherence.
How to Use FANBOYS in a Sentence
1. For is most commonly used in the English language as a preposition or a conjunction. As a conjunction, it finds more use in formal writing in sentences where it needs to indicate reason.
Here are examples that illustrate the difference in meaning:
- People love to watch Rita on stage, for she is an amazing performer.
For in the above sentence works as a coordinating conjunction. It is used to indicate why people love to watch Rita on stage.
- We have been waiting here for an hour.
Here, for works as a preposition of time. It is used to indicate the duration of waiting.
2. And is extensively used to connect two related ideas. It is also used to show the addition of items to a list or a series of events.
For example:
- David loves hiking and swimming.
- I was born in Detroit, and my sister was born in Ann Arbor.
In the first example, and connects two related ideas – hiking, swimming. In the second example, however, it connects two independent yet related clauses – I was born in Detroit, my sister was born in Ann Arbor.
- We purchased bacon, eggs, and fish when we went to the supermarket.
The above example shows how and is used to indicate the addition of items to a list – in this case, the items purchased at the supermarket.
3. Nor is ordinarily employed in sentences to negate a particular idea. When it follows a phrase or clause that uses never or not, nor emphasizes the negation.
For example:
- He never stays away from his family nor does he wish to.
In the above sentence, nor highlights the negation in the sentence as it follows a phrase with never in it.
4. But as a coordinating conjunction is used to link two contrasting items.
For example:
- Shaun loves hotdogs, but he rarely eats them.
Here, but is used to show the contrast in Shaun’s behavior in terms of his eating habits.
5. Or is used to indicate choice between two or more options in a sentence.
For example:
- Vegans usually drink soy or almond milk.
- You can stay indoors or step outside for some fresh air.
Both the examples above illustrate how or can be used to indicate a choice between two options.
6. Yet is commonly used as both an adverb and a conjunction in the English language. When used as a conjunction, it means “nevertheless,” “still,” or “though.”
Here are examples to illustrate the difference in meaning:
- Cheryl is an extremely busy woman, yet she manages to make time for her family.
This example uses yet as a coordinating conjunction to show that Cheryl makes time for her family even though she is a busy woman.
- She hasn’t left home yet.
Here, yet works as an adverb where it means “until the current moment.”
7. As a coordinating conjunction, so is used to indicate effect or consequence between independent clauses in a sentence.
For example:
- I have a gluten allergy, so I can’t eat these biscuits.
Here, so establishes a cause and effect relationship by linking the two independent clauses I have a gluten allergy and I can’t eat these biscuits.
It is also often used as an adverb when it means “extremely” or “very” as illustrated in the example below:
- Ruby sings so beautifully.
Here, so indicates the degree to which Ruby sings beautifully – very.
Punctuation Rules for Coordinating Conjunctions
1. While using any of the coordinating conjunctions to link two independent clauses, a comma must be inserted before the coordinating conjunction. (Independent clauses are those that can stand alone as independent sentences.)
For example:
- Shaun doesn’t enjoy the mountains, but he loves beach vacations.
Here, but links the two independent clauses Shaun doesn’t enjoy the mountains and he loves beach vacations. So, a comma must be inserted before but.
However, the comma is not a necessity if the independent clauses are too short.
For example:
- Rodney likes cookies and Michelle likes cakes.
- Rodney likes cookies, and Michelle likes cakes.
Both the above versions are acceptable. Using or omitting the comma is a choice based on the preferred style.
2. When a coordinating conjunction connects two words, two phrases, or two dependent clauses, a comma is not required before the conjunction.
Examples:
- Terence enjoys the occasional ham and cheese sandwich.
In the above sentence, and connects the two words ham and cheese.
- Do you prefer to eat lunch by the poolside or in your room?
Here, or connects the two phrases by the poolside and in your room.
However, when three words, three phrases, or three dependent clauses are linked by a coordinating conjunction, a series is formed. This requires commas to be used between the elements.
Example:
- Our favorite pizza toppings are bacon, pepperoni, and salami.
Here, a comma follows each element. A serial comma, or Oxford comma, is also used before the coordinating conjunction and. While using the serial comma is a stylistic preference, it is often recommended in American English.
3. Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly acceptable to begin sentences with coordinating conjunctions. A common rule is that a comma doesn’t need to follow a coordinating conjunction when the sentence starts with it.
For example:
- I love having productive days. But today wasn’t one.
Here, the second sentence begins with but, which behaves like the conjunctive adverb however. Conjunctive adverbs, like coordinating conjunctions, link two independent clauses. Examples include also, however, then, and therefore.
