Coordinating Conjunctions

Please follow the list for detailed expressions about these coordinating conjunctions;

CONJUNCTIONS

Conjunctions are used to express relationships between things in a sentence, to link different clauses together and to combine sentences. The use of conjunctions is crucial for the construction of meaningful and fluid sentences in the language of speech and writing.

There are four main types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs.

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases and clauses. Follow these conjunctions, definitions and example sentences;

There are seven coordinating conjunctions. and, but, for, nor, or, so and yet.

To remember all of the coordinating conjunctions, we can learn following acronym:

FANBOYS –> F – for, A – And, N – Nor, B – But, O – Or, Y – Yet, S – So.

And

One of the most used words in English is ‘and‘. It can be shortened by “&” sign in English. It means in addition to. And is used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that have the same grammatical function in a construction.

But

The meaning of But is however. It is used to show a disagreement between clauses, or to connect ideas that contrast.

Also But means “except” when it is used after words such as all, everything/nothing, everyone/no one, everybody/nobody.

For

The meaning of For is because or since. For as a conjunction is used to explain reason or purpose. (like “because” or ”since”)

Nor 

It means and not. Nor is used before the second or last of a set of negative possibilities, usually after “neither”. 

Or

It means either. Or is used to connect different possibilities. 

Yet

It means but. Yet is used to introduce a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically.

So

It means therefore , for that reson. So means with the result or consequence of something.

Using Comma with Coordinating Conjunctions

1. When we connect two main clauses with a coordinating conjunction, we use a comma before the coordinating conjunction (unless the two independent clauses are very short and well-balanced ).

Main Clause + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Main Clause.

2. If  we use a coordinating conjunction to connect any two items ( These items can be any grammatical unit except main clauses like two verbs, two subjects, two complements, or two objects), we don’t use comma before the conjunction.

Item + Coordinating Conjunction + Item

3. When we have three or more items in a series, we generally use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. But it is optional. You do not have to use it.

Item + , + Item + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Item

Note: Can we use coordinating conjunctions at the begining of a sentence? or Can we star a sentence with coordinating conjunctions?

First of all, we should known that if you begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, you don’t break any grammar rules. However,  we use  such sentences

rarely. Before using this, As a student you should ask  your teachers what their preferences are.

If you  starts  a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, pay attention to these three things:

1. You should use a coordinating conjunctions with a main clause.
2. You should not use  a coordinating conjunction to begin every sentence. (Use this option only when you want to make the flow of your ideas more effective.)
3. You shouldn’t not use a comma after the coordinating conjunction except for some exceptions. (Use comma only when an interrupter immediately follows the coordinating conjunction)