What is a coordinating conjunction? The 7 most common FANBOYS conjunctions in English

A coordinating conjunction is used in both spoken and written language to create connections between sentences and paragraphs. In the following article, let's explore together with PREP to understand the 7 most common FANBOYS conjunction.

I. What are coordinating conjunctions in English?

First, let's understand the concept, position, and function of coordinating conjunctions in a sentence!

1. Concept

Coordinating conjunctions are words used to connect elements in a sentence that have grammatical equivalence with each other, such as connecting verb phrases with verb phrases, independent clauses with independent clauses, or nouns with nouns.

Below are some coordinating conjunction examples: 

• Linda is good at dancing and singing. 

• Kelvin loves his girlfriend but is brute.

2. Position

In terms of position, coordinating conjunctions in English are placed between the two elements they connect in a sentence.

For example:

• Linda was sick, for she was soaked in the rain yesterday. (✅) ➞ For she was soaked in the rain yesterday, Linda was sick. (❌)

• Everyone was rushing home, for it was raining. (✅)  ➞ For it was raining, everyone was rushing home. (❌)

3. Function

Coordinating conjunctions function to connect equivalent sentence elements in terms of grammatical structure: a word with a word, a clause with a clause, etc. Using coordinating conjunctions correctly helps you create coherent and understandable writing and speech.

For example: 

• My best friend Lucy is both lovely and sociable. 

• Anna tried hard, but she still failed the interview.

II. Common Coordinating Conjunctions in English

There are 7 common coordinating conjunctions in English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. The initial letters of these coordinating conjunctions form the acronym FANBOYS, which is a helpful mnemonic. Here are the specific uses of each coordinating conjunction that you should understand:

1. For

The coordinating conjunction "for" is used to explain a reason or purpose. Note that when using "for," a clause must follow, and a comma is used before "for."

For example:

• Luna quit her job, for she couldn't stand the KPI pressure. 

• Sona broke up with her, for her boyfriend was too poor. 

2. And

The coordinating conjunction "and" is used to add or provide additional information to something else.

For example:

• Micky likes to play the piano and guitar. 

• My mother works two jobs at the same time: teacher and housewife.

3. Nor

The coordinating conjunction "nor" is used to add negative information to a previous negative statement. 

For example:

• Violet is losing weight so she doesn't eat rice nor meat. 

• Lucy doesn't like rock music nor bolero. 

4. But

The coordinating conjunction "but" is used to express contrasting or contradictory clauses. 

For example:

• John likes me, but he doesn't say it. 

• Anna tried very hard on the test, but she still failed. 

5. Or

The coordinating conjunction "or" is used to present alternative choices, often used in questions.

For example:

• Do you like to go to Singapore or Thailand?

• Do you choose to take the university entrance exam or go to work?

6. Yet

The coordinating conjunction "yet" is used to express something contrary to a previous clause, similar to "but."

For example:

• Bella is beautiful yet has a difficult love life. 

• Keva works very hard yet she still doesn't get promoted. 

7. So

The coordinating conjunction "so" is used to express the result or consequence of a previous event or action.

For example:

• Bruce forgot to lock the door so the thief broke into his house.

• Heidi forgot to do her homework so she got punished.

III. Mnemonic for Remembering the 7 Coordinating Conjunctions 

The abbreviation of the 7 most common coordinating conjunctions forms a special word: FANBOYS. Therefore, you can use this word as a mnemonic to remember the 7 familiar coordinating conjunctions.

F - for 

A - and 

N - Nor 

B - But 

O - or

Y - yet 

S - so

IV. Comma Usage with Coordinating Conjunctions 

When using coordinating conjunctions to connect clauses, a comma should be used before the coordinating conjunction.

For example:

• I am exhausted, so I took a leave of absence from work. 

• Luna is so beautiful, so she has a lot of people flirting with her.

V. Differentiating Coordinating Conjunctions and Subordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions both serve the function of connecting clauses in a sentence. However, these two types of conjunctions differ in their form. Here are the specific differences:

VI. Exercises on Coordinating Conjunctions in English 

Below are some exercises on coordinating conjunctions in English. You can practice to remember their usage!

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer:

1. Sahara Deserts are very dry, ________ many plants grow there.

A. For

B. So

C. Yet

2. Lucy might go to the hospital ________ he might stay in the office.

A. But

B. So

Nor

3. Hana looked at the apartment, ________ she couldn’t afford to buy it.

A. And

B. But

C. Or

4. Luna jogs every day, _______ she is losing weight.

A. But

B. Yet

C For

5. David is a trader, _______ he is good at investment.

A. So

B. And

C. But

Đáp án 

• C

• A

• B

• C

• A

Exercise 2: Complete the following sentences by filling in one of the coordinating conjunctions "but," "or," or "and":

1. My mother loves to cook, _____ she doesn't like to clean up afterwards.

2. My team can go to the beach, _____ we can go to the park.

3. Tina's very busy _____ and travels a lot for work. 

4. Mary wants to go to the birthday party, _____ she doesn't have anything to wear.

5. Heidi studied hard for the test, _____ she fell.

Answer keys: 

1. But 

2. Or

3. And 

4. But 

5. But 

This article has provided the complete knowledge of coordinating conjunctions that you need to understand to apply them in both writing and speaking in English. Take some extra time to practice exercises to use these words more fluently!