Coordinating conjunctions connect grammatically equal elements: words to words, phrases to phrases, and clauses to clauses. The acronym FANBOYS helps you remember all seven.
For (Reason)
"For" means "because." It is more formal and less common in everyday speech.
- I went to bed early, for I was exhausted.
- She stayed home, for she was feeling ill.
And (Addition)
"And" adds one thing to another.
- I like apples and oranges.
- She sings and dances beautifully.
- He opened the door and walked inside.
Nor (Negative Addition)
"Nor" adds a negative idea to another negative idea. The second clause is inverted (question word order).
- She doesn't like coffee, nor does she drink tea.
- I haven't seen him, nor have I spoken to him.
But (Contrast)
"But" shows contrast or exception.
- I want to go, but I am too tired.
- She is rich but unhappy.
- The movie was long but interesting.
Or (Choice / Alternative)
"Or" presents a choice between two or more options.
- Would you like tea or coffee?
- You can pay now or later.
- Hurry up, or we will be late.
Yet (Contrast, Stronger)
"Yet" is similar to "but" but suggests a stronger or more surprising contrast.
- She is young yet very wise.
- He worked hard, yet he failed.
- The task was difficult, yet she succeeded.
So (Result)
"So" shows a result or consequence.
- I was tired, so I went to bed.
- It was raining, so we stayed inside.
- She studied hard, so she passed.
Comma Rule
Use a comma before a FANBOYS when it joins two independent clauses (complete sentences).
- I like coffee, but I don't like tea. ✅ (comma)
- I like coffee and tea. ❌ (no comma — not two clauses)