What are “coordinating conjunctions”?

Coordinating conjunctions, or coordinators, are a subset of conjunctions used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses. They always appear in the middle of a sentence.[1]

List of Words

for : used for explanations

and : used to join non-contrasting items or ideas

nor : used to join non-contrasting negative ideas

but : used to display contrasts or exceptions

or : used to join alternative items or ideas

yet : used to display contrasts or exceptions

so : used to display consequences

(The acronym for remembering the coordinating conjunctions is "FANBOYS")

Usage

• Coordinating conjunctions joining individual words:

    Ex. "They fight all the time. They makeup all the time."
        becomes
        "They fight and makeup all the time."

• Coordinating conjunctions joining individual phrases:

    Ex. "We could drive there. We could fly there."
         becomes
        "We could drive or fly there."

• Coordinating conjunctions joining individual clauses:

    Ex. "I'm going home early. I do not have enough money."
         becomes
        "I'm going home early, for I do not have enough money."

References

"Comprehending Clauses." UHCL Writing Center. UHCL Writing Center, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. "What Are Conjunctions?" Grammar-monster.com. Grammar-Monster, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.