A review on conjunctions (from Grade 3) that connect similar words, phrases, or clauses. A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two elements of equal grammatical rank and syntactic importance.
1. San José State University Writing Center Written by Mitchell Gehring
Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS) Coordinating conjunctions connect two equal words, phrases, or clauses. There are seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. A useful strategy to remember them is to memorize the acronym FANBOYS: F A N B oO Y Ss ° n ° u r e ° r d r t t Joining Independent Clauses An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence. To join two independent clauses, writers often use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction. The basic structure of a sentence that uses a coordinating conjunction is as follows:
Subject + verb + object, [coordinating conjunction] subject + verb + object. Joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction creates a compound sentence. I like football, and I like hockey. The directions are complicated, but I am starting to understand them.
In the fi
example, the coordinating conjunction is and. It separates the two independent clauses: “I like football” and “I like hockey.” In the second example, the coordinating conjunction is but. It separates the two independent clauses: “The directions are complicated” and “I am starting to understand them.”
In both examples, there is an independent clause on both sides of the coordinating conjunction, and a comma is required before the coordinating conjunction. Joining Words and Phrases Coordinating conjunctions can connect two wor coordinating conjunction, no comma is needed.
2. Examples: _ My favorite foods are burritos and sushi. I will eat either a hamburger or a hotdog. Coordinating conjunctions can also join more than two items. Ina series that lists more than two items, the coordinating conjunction precedes the final item. A comma should be placed before the coordinating conjunction.
Examples: [recently bought new straps, pedals, and toe clips for my bike.
Jaime wants a tablet, a sword, or a cell phone for his birthday. Coordinating conjunctions can also join phrases. When two phrases are connected using a coordinating conjunction, no comma is needed. Examples: I want to study at my university library or at the local coffee shop. Phil was entranced by the dancer’s stage presence and graceful movements. Insert commas and coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when appropriate to complete the sentences. My favorite desserts include cookies, cheesecake ___ tiramisu. I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books Thad to get a job. I finished my homework my mom let me go outside. I could not play outside Thad to study for a tes I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint at a steakhouse. Thave no money I keep shopping. Thave neither done the dishes the laundry. We should bring either pizza cake to the party.
SI AHRENS Answer Key for Activity My favorite desserts include cookies, cheesecake, and tiramisu. I wanted to spend my entire summer reading books, but I had to get a job. [finished my homework, so my mom let me go outside I could not play outside, for I had to study for a test I want to eat at the new Chicago pizza joint or at a steakhouse. Ihave no money, but I keep shopping. Thave neither done the dishes nor the laundry ‘We should bring either pizza or cake to the party Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS), Summer 2013. Rev. Summer 2014. 2of2
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