Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions coordinate or join two or more sentences, main clauses, words, or other
parts of speech which are of the same syntactic importance. Also known as coordinators, coordinating
conjunctions are used to give equal emphasis to a pair of main clauses.

Coordinating Conjunctions

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Coordinating conjunctions are the most popular category of conjunctions. Simply put, they bring ideas
together. They can join words, phrases, and clauses.

These words tend to be small, including words like "and," "so," "for," and "but." However, they serve a
very large function. They connect sweeping ideas together, forming cohesive, comprehensive ideas.

No longer is there a need to write in short, choppy sentences. Coordinating conjunctions are here to
save the day.

The Coordinating Conjunctions

The English language has seven coordinating conjunctions, and they're easy to remember if you can just
remember the acronym FANBOYS:

For - Explains reason or purpose (just like "because")

I go to the park every Sunday, for I long to see his face.

And - Adds one thing to another

I like to read, and I write faithfully in my journal every night.

Nor - Used to present an alternative negative idea to an already stated negative idea

I neither love nor hate to watch TV.

But - Shows contrast

Television is a wonderful escape, but it interferes with my writing.

Or - Presents an alternative or a choice

Would you rather read a book or watch a good TV show?

Yet - Introduces a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically (similar to "but")

I always take a book to the beach, yet I never seem to turn a single page.

So - Indicates effect, result or consequence

I like to read, so my grammar is always on-point.

Using Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

You'll notice that, in the example sentences, some of the coordinating conjunctions are preceded by a
comma while others are not. There is a very simple reason for this.

If a coordinating conjunction is joining together two independent clauses, it needs to have a comma
with it. Independent clauses have the ability to stand alone as complete sentences.

Let's review the example for "but." Television is a wonderful escape, but it interferes with my writing.
Because these are two independent clauses, they must be joined together by a comma and a
coordinating conjunction. If you're really looking to get fancy, here are 8 times commas were important.

1. Deserts are harsh and dry, ________ many plants grow there.

A. For

B. So

C. Yet

2. Pat looked at the antique rocker, ________ she couldn’t afford to buy it.

A. And

B. But

C. Or

3. Constance might go to the library, ________ she might stay home.

A. But

B. So

C. Nor
4. Sue jogs every day, _______ she wants to stay in shape.

A. But

B. Yet

C. For

5. His shoes are worn, _______ he has no socks.

A. For

B. So

C. Or

6. The guy is a contractor, _______ he knows the construction business.

A. So

B. And

C. But

7. Bill went to work, _______ he didn’t punch in.

A. Or

B. But

C.So

8. My brother is in the play, _______ I want to attend the first performance.

A. Or

B. So

C. For

9. Annette couldn’t go, ________ she was tired.

A. Nor

B. Yet

C. For

10. Your niece and I went out to lunch, ________ we both ordered fish.

A. And

B. Or

C. Yet

1. They were poor, ………………. often suffered great hardship.

and

but

2. He overslept himself …………………. thus missed the train.

and

but

3. That coat cannot be mine, ……………… it is too big for me.

and

but

for

4. As a boy he had never been to school, and ………………….. he had no opportunity of learning to read
and write.

therefore

for

yet

5. This must not happen again, ……………… you will be dismissed.

or

but

and

6. He is rich, ………………. he is not happy.

and

therefore

but

7. Hurry up, ……………….. you will be late.

and

or

yet

8. He must have done his duty, ……………….. he is a conscientious man.

for

so
therefore

9. He tried hard, ………………. he did not succeed.

but

and

so

10. The parents were horrified ………………. they saw blood stains on the floor and no sign of their child.

therefore

for

so