##  [Coordinating conjunctions](/writing-tips-plus/coordinating-conjunctions)

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The word *conjunction* comes from a Latin root meaning “join.” In grammar, a conjunction is a joining word.

A *coordinating conjunction* is a joining word that connects things of equal value. It may join two or more nouns (or pronouns), verbs, adjectives, adverbs, phrases or clauses.

## Seven coordinating conjunctions

The word *fanboys* is a memory tool that makes it easy to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions in English. This word is an acronym formed from the first letters of the seven conjunctions: *for*, *and*, *nor*, *but*, *or*, *yet*, *so*.

***And***, ***but*** and ***or*** are the three most commonly used coordinating conjunctions. They can be used to join almost any two or more words or word groups:

- Josh, Sarah *and* Rashid (3 nouns)
- slowly *and* carefully (2 adverbs)
- tried *but* failed (2 verbs)
- on private land *but* beside the school (2 phrases)
- light *or* heavy (2 adjectives)
- We can walk to town, *or* we can take the bus. (2 clauses)

***Yet*** can be used in the same ways as *but* to join two contrasting ideas; however, *yet* gives more emphasis to the contrast.

- The winning team returned home, tired *yet* happy.
- Alanna was groggy from jet lag, *yet* she sang brilliantly.

***Nor*** means “and not”; it is used to join independent clauses, but it requires a change in word order: part of the verb (or sometimes the entire verb) comes before the subject.

- He did not call, *nor* did he send a text message. \[= ***and*** he did ***not*** send a text message\]

***For*** is similar in meaning to *because*—it is used between independent clauses to show that the second idea is the cause of the first one:

- We set up camp early, *for* we were tired from the hike. \[Means *because we were tired…*\]

***So*** is similar in meaning to *therefore*—it is used between independent clauses to show that the second idea is the result of the first one:

- We were tired from the hike, so we set up camp early. \[Means *therefore, we set up camp early*\]

## Punctuation with coordinating conjunctions

When a coordinating conjunction is used between any two words, phrases or dependent clauses, a comma is not ordinarily used before the conjunction:

- small *yet* strong
- quickly *but* accurately
- in June *or* in July
- after we eat *and* before we leave

However, when two independent clauses (sentences) are joined with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is usually needed before the conjunction:

- I found John reading in the living room, *and* we left for the party in one car.
- Marika cooks tasty Hungarian dishes, *but* she also loves recipes from other ethnic groups.

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