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:
Example "They fight all the time. They makeup all the time."
becomes
"They fight and makeup all the time."
- Coordinating conjunctions joining individual phrases:
Example
"We could drive there. We could fly there."
becomes
"We could drive or fly there."
- Coordinating conjunctions joining individual clauses:
Example
"I'm going home early. I do not have enough money."
becomes
"I'm going home early, for I do not have enough money."