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Coordinating conjunctions, or '''coordinators''', are a subset of conjunctions used to join two or more words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. <ref>"http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/conjunctions.htm What Are Conjunctions?" Grammar-monster.com. Grammar-Monster, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.</ref> They always appear in the middle of a sentence. <ref>"http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/WC/TIPSHEETS_new/TIPSHEET_CompClause_new/Comprehending%20Clauses.pdf Comprehending Clauses." UHCL Writing Center. UHCL Writing Center, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.</ref> Commas are sometimes used to separate clauses or with the final words of sentences.
==List of Words==
'''for/because/as''' : used for explanations
     '''Ex.''' "I was late '''for''' I had no ride."

'''and''' : used to join non-contrasting items or ideas
     '''Ex.''' "I can mash potato '''and''' do the twist."

'''nor''' : used to join non-contrasting negative ideas
     '''Ex.''' "I do not watch baseball, '''nor''' do I play baseball."

'''but''' : used to display contrasts or exceptions
     '''Ex.''' "I do not play soccer now, '''but''' I used to play as a kid."

'''or''' : used to join alternative items or ideas
     '''Ex.''' "Do you want to take my car, '''or''' should we take yours?"

'''yet''' : used to display contrasts or exceptions
     '''Ex.''' "I have heard bad reviews about that movie, '''yet''' I still want to see it."

'''so''' : used to display consequences
     '''Ex.''' "We save money every month '''so''' we can go on vacation in November."

(The acronym for remembering the coordinating conjunctions is "FANBOYS") <ref>Simmons, Robin L. "[http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm The Coordinating Conjunction]." Chompchomp.com. Grammar Bytes, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.</ref>

==Usage==
*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual words''':

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

*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''individual phrases''':

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

*Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join '''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."

==External Links==
<ul>
<li>[http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm Conjunctions] : more examples of usage of coordinating and other types of conjunctions.</li>

<li>[http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CoordConj.html Grammar and Punctuation: Using Coordinating Conjunctions]: rules on how to use punctuation when using coordinating conjunctions.</li>
</ul>

==References==
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