Coordinating Conjunctions Study Guide
Definition
Coordinating conjunctions are words used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses that are equally important in a sentence.
Common Coordinating Conjunctions
- and: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show addition or similarity.
- but: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show contrast or exception.
- or: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show choice or alternatives.
- for: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show reason or cause.
- nor: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show a negative alternative.
- so: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show result or consequence.
- yet: connects words, phrases, or clauses to show contrast or concession.
Usage
Coordinating conjunctions are used to create compound sentences, coordinate ideas, and show the relationship between words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
Examples
- I like to read and write.
- She is tired but happy.
- You can have tea or coffee.
- He is smart for he studies hard.
- She can neither sing nor dance.
- They studied hard so they passed the exam.
- It is late, yet he is still working.
Remember
FANBOYS is a helpful acronym for remembering the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
