1. Coordinating Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction is used to join together words, phrases , clauses , or sentences .

There are seven coordinating conjunctions

  1. F or
  2. A nd
  3. N or
  1. B ut
  2. O r
  3. Y et
  4. S o
FANBOY Bobby Hill

These words can be remembered using:

FANBOYS ( F = for ; A = and ; and so on).

The most commonly used of these conjunctions are and and but . And connects similar ideas while but connects two contrasting ones. Although coordinating conjunctions share the basic function of connecting words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence, each of them has a specific meaning. 

The following show examples of the coordinating conjunctions being used. Â

For

We use for  to express a reason or purpose. It has similar meaning as because , since  and as , and can be used in place of any one of them.

Examples:

  • He finds it difficult to see clearly, for  he is partially blind.
  • He left early, for  he had to be on time for the meeting.

And

We use and  to add one thing to another.

Examples:

  • They kicked and  punched him. (Connecting words)
  • Her mother bought her a strawberry ice cream and  a bear lollipop. (Connecting phrases)

Nor

We usually use nor  before the second negative after the first one. We can also use it as the last of a set of negatives.

Examples:

  • The audience was not very impressed by their performances, nor  their jokes.
  • I notice your socks are never washed, nor  your car.

But

We use but  to introduce an additional phrase or clause that is different from what has already been mentioned.

Examples:

  • Without looking, he stepped on a dog’s tail, but  he didn’t get bitten.
  • There were only small beans in the soup, but  it is more delicious than the tomato soup I had yesterday..

Or

We use or  to show alternatives or different possibilities.

Examples:

  • We can go now with umbrellas or  when it stops raining.
  • Is that beef or  mutton in the curry?

Yet

We use yet  to add something surprising because of what has just been mentioned.    

Examples:

  • He is only a little boy, yet he is able to carry such a heavy load.
  • I reached there half an hour late, yet  no one else had turned up.

So

We use so  to mean for this reason . It has similar meaning as therefore .  

Examples:

  • The rain got heavier, so  the match had to be abandoned.
  • Her neighbor threatened to burn her house down, so  she made a police report.

Avoid repeating unnecessary words when using conjunctions

Examples:

 The underlined words can be avoided as unnecessary.

  • You need to know what rights you have. You also need to know  how to use them.
  • You need to know what rights you have and how to use them.
  • This is an expensive machine . It is an  immensely useful machine.
  • This is an expensive but  immensely useful machine.
  • We didn’t believe a word he said. None of us believe  his excuses as well ..
  • We didn’t believe a word he said, nor  his excuses.
  • You can choose the white one. You can also choose  the black one.
  • You can choose the white one or  the black one.

(For meaning and use of coordinating conjunctions , see List 12 )