Coordinating Conjunctions

A2 · ElementaryConjunctions & Linking Words

I like tea, and I like coffee. It was cold, so we wore coats. Seven small words join equal ideas together.

What you'll learn

  • The seven coordinating conjunctions — for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so — are often remembered with the acronym FANBOYS
  • They join words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank
  • When joining two independent (complete) clauses, a comma goes before the conjunction
  • No comma is needed when joining just two words or phrases (not two full clauses)

Joining equal ideas

A coordinating conjunction joins two things of the same grammatical type and equal importance — two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses. The seven are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).

"tea and coffee (two words)"
"I like tea, and I like coffee. (two clauses)"

What each one means

And adds information. But and yet show contrast (yet is slightly more formal/literary). Or presents a choice. Nor continues a negative (and needs question-word order after it). So shows result. For gives a reason (formal, more common in writing).

"She wanted to leave, yet she stayed."
"He doesn't smoke, nor does he drink."
"I was tired, for I had worked all day."

The comma rule

When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses (each with its own subject and verb, each able to stand alone), put a comma before the conjunction. When it just joins two words or phrases, no comma is needed.

"I called her, and she answered right away. (comma — two clauses)"
"She likes tea and coffee. (no comma — two words)"

Real English

"We wanted to stay longer, but the museum was closing."
"You can pay by card, or you can pay in cash."
"She didn't call, nor did she text."
"It was late, so we headed home."

Watch out

✗I called her and she answered right away.
✓I called her, and she answered right away.

When 'and' joins two independent clauses, a comma goes before it.

✗She likes tea, and coffee.
✓She likes tea and coffee.

No comma is needed when the conjunction just joins two words, not two full clauses.

✗She doesn't like coffee, nor she likes tea.
✓She doesn't like coffee, nor does she like tea.

After 'nor,' the subject and auxiliary verb invert, just like in a question.

Real life — Deciding on dinner

"Do you want pizza or pasta?"

"I was thinking pizza, but I could also go for pasta."

"Let's just get both, and we can share."

"Perfect — I'm starving, so let's order now."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct conjunction

Choose the correct conjunction: 'I wanted pizza, ___ I ordered pasta instead.'

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct conjunction

Choose the correct conjunction: 'We can go to the park, ___ we can stay home.'

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct conjunction

Choose the correct conjunction: 'It started raining, ___ we went inside.'

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct conjunction

Choose the correct conjunction: 'She doesn't like coffee, ___ does she like tea.'

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct conjunction

Choose the correct conjunction: 'He is tired, ___ he keeps working.'

Exercise 6 · Choose the correctly punctuated sentence

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

Exercise 7 · Choose the correctly punctuated sentence

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct conjunction

Which conjunction correctly joins two negative statements?

Exercise 9 · Join with a coordinating conjunction

Join with a coordinating conjunction: 'I was hungry. I didn't have any food.'

Exercise 10 · Join with a coordinating conjunction

Join with a coordinating conjunction: 'She studied hard. She passed the exam.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

I like tea, and I like coffee.
I don't like tea, nor do I like coffee.
She's tired, but she's happy.
We can walk, or we can drive.
It was cold, so we wore coats.
He was late, yet he wasn't worried.

0 / 6 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct conjunction: 'I was exhausted, ___ I couldn't sleep.'

You learned

  • The seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
  • They join words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal rank.
  • Use a comma before the conjunction when joining two full independent clauses.
  • No comma is needed when joining just two words or phrases.

Related grammar lessons

ElementaryConjunctions & Linking Words

Cause and Reason

Learn to give reasons with because/since/as (followed by a clause) and because of/due to/owing to (followed by a noun phrase).

IntermediateConjunctions & Linking Words

Subordinating Conjunctions

Learn how subordinating conjunctions like when, while, before, after, if, and unless introduce dependent clauses of time and condition, and the comma rule that goes with them.

IntermediateConjunctions & Linking Words

Linking Words

Learn linking adverbs like however, therefore, moreover, and for example that connect separate sentences — and the punctuation that sets them apart from conjunctions.

IntermediateConjunctions & Linking Words

Result

Learn the connectors for expressing result — so (a coordinating conjunction, comma only) versus therefore/as a result/consequently/thus (linking adverbs, needing a period or semicolon).

View all lessons in this category