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.

Simmons, Robin L. "The Coordinating Conjunction." Chompchomp.com. Grammar Bytes, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.

"What Are Conjunctions?" Grammar-monster.com. Grammar-Monster, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.