FAQ: frequently asked coordinating conjunction questions

What are the 7 coordinating conjunctions?
There are seven common coordinating conjunctions in English, often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. These words are used to connect words, phrases, or independent clauses in a sentence, helping to combine related ideas or elements.

What are the 10 coordinating conjunctions?
While the FANBOYS are the most commonly used coordinating conjunctions, there are more coordinating conjunctions, including "so," "still," "then," and "while." However, the original seven are the most frequently used in everyday communication.

Why do we use coordinating conjunctions?
Coordinating conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical importance in a sentence. They help create compound sentences and combine related ideas or actions, making the text flow smoothly and improving readability. Coordinating conjunctions also enable writers to express complex thoughts and relationships between different parts of a sentence.

What is a coordinating conjunction example and rules?
An example of a coordinating conjunction in a sentence is: "I wanted to go to the movies, but I didn't have enough money." In this sentence, "but" is the coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses. When using coordinating conjunctions, remember these rules:

• Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses.
• Don't use a comma when joining elements that aren't independent clauses (e.g., words or phrases).
• The coordinating conjunction should connect elements of similar grammatical structure and importance.