Coordinating Conjunctions
FANBOY S
for and nor but
or
yet
so
Learning Objectives
Compose clear and coherent sentences using
appropriate grammatical structures with
coordinating conjunctions
Determine proper coordinating conjunctions to
complete sentences.
Coordinating Conjunction
A Coordinating
conjunction is a word that
connects two or more
words or group of words
in a sentence.
I want coffee or tea.
Coordinating conjunctions
can easily be remembered
with the acronym
Coordinating conjunctions
can easily be remembered
with the acronym
FOR
Shows reason or purpose
Example:
Exercising is
good for your
health.
FOR
Similar BECAUSE
Example:
Fish are good in our breakfast, for they are
nutritious and filling.
AND
Expresses addition
Example:
We are going camping and hiking this weekend.
AND
Expresses addition
Example:
I have eggs and bacon for breakfast.
I like eggs and bacon
NOR
No choice
Example:
I eat neither tomatoes, nor do I eat apples.
Camilo doesn´t enjoy eating tomatoes, nor does he enjoy eating
apples.
BUT
shows contrast
Example:
Luigi is Italian, but Alicia is Colombian.
BUT
shows contrast
Example:
I like apples but I don´t like tomatoes
OR
Expresses choice
Example:
Would you like milk or cream in your
coffee?
YET
Similar BUT , STILL, NEVERTHELESS
Example:
The house is not finished, yet we
get to move in.
YET
Similar BUT , STILL, NEVERTHELESS
Example:
Lunch is on the table, yet no
one is ready to eat
SO
To show results
Example:
I was broke all week, so I had to eat Instant
lunch for every meal.
because
• Sometimes we use a comma before because to avoid ambiguity (confusing meaning).
Example:
• I didn’t go to the party because I was tired.
• This could mean:
• I didn’t go, and the reason was that I was tired.
• I did go, but not because I was tired.
• To make the meaning clear, writers sometimes add a comma:
• I didn’t go to the party, because I was tired.
(Clarifies the reason is being tired.)
• But in most cases?
• You usually don’t need a comma before because.
In the sentences on your worksheet, both versions are acceptable, and many teachers prefer no
comma:
• I was late for work because there was a lot of traffic.
• He didn’t go to the party because he was sick.
Thank You!
Answer key
My favorite desserts include cookies, cheesecake, and tiramisu.
I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books, but I had to get a job.
I finished my homework, so my mom let me go outside.
I could not play outside, for I had to study for a test.
I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint or at a steakhouse.
I have no money, but I keep shopping.
I have neither done the dishes nor the laundry.
We should bring either pizza or cake to the party