Coordinating Conjunctions
What is a coordinating conjunction?
Coordinating conjunctions coordinate or join two or more sentences, main clauses, words, or
other parts of speech which are of the same syntactic importance. Also known as coordinators,
coordinating conjunctions are used to give equal emphasis to a pair of main clauses.
Coordinating Conjunction Rules
As there are only seven of these words, there are just a few rules for using coordinating
conjunctions correctly:
It’s a good idea to use the mnemonic “FANBOYS” to memorize coordinating conjunctions so
you’ll never forget them. They are:
F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so
Coordinating conjunctions always connect phrases, words, and clauses. For example: This batch
of mushroom stew is savory and delicious.
Some instructors warn that starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is incorrect.
Mostly, this is because they are attempting to help prevent you from writing fragments rather
than complete sentences; sometimes though, it’s just a personal preference. The fact is, you can
begin sentences with coordinating conjunctions as long as you follow these three rules for doing
so:
Ensure that the coordinating conjunction is immediately followed by a main clause
Don’t use coordinating conjunctions to begin all of your sentences. Do so only when it makes
your writing more effective.
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction to separate two independent clauses. They
should not be used after coordinating conjunctions used to open sentences unless an interrupter
immediately follows.
Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions
In the following examples, the coordinating conjunctions have been italicized for easy
identification.
You can eat your cake with a spoon or fork.
My dog enjoys being bathed but hates getting his nails trimmed.
Bill refuses to eat peas, nor will he touch carrots.
I hate to waste a drop of gas, for it is very expensive these days.
Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises
The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how coordinating
conjunctions work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
Would you rather have cheese _____ bologna on your sandwich?
For
Nor
Or
So
Answer: 3. Would you rather have cheese or bologna on your sandwich?
His two favorite sports are football ______ tennis.
Or
And
Nor
For
Answer: 2. His two favorite sports are football and tennis.
I wanted to go to the beach, _______ Mary refused.
But
Or
So
For
Answer: 1. I wanted to go to the beach, but Mary refused.
I am allergic to cats, ______ I have three of them.
Or
For
Yet
So
Answer: 3. I am allergic to cats, yet I have three of them.
I am a vegetarian, _______ I don’t eat any meat.
So
Yet
Nor
But
Answer: 1. I am a vegetarian, so I don’t eat any meat.
Coordinating Conjunctions List
Remember, there are only seven coordinating conjunctions. This list contains all of them.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises
1. Thomas will be late to work, _____ he has a dental appointment.
A. but B. or C. for D. nor
2. Jennifer does not like to swim, ____ does she enjoy cycling.
A. and B. or C. but D. nor
3. Jackson wanted to eat another piece of cake, ____ he was on a diet.
A. for B. but C. yet D. so
Answer Key:
1 – C. Thomas will be late to work, for he has a dental appointment
2 – D. Jennifer does not like to swim, nor does she enjoy cycling.
3 – B. Jackson wanted to eat another piece of cake, but he was on a diet.
Are you ready for this coordinating conjunctions quiz? Coordinating conjunctions connect
words, phrases, or groups of words in a sentence. Some instructors warn that starting a sentence
with a coordinating conjunction is incorrect. Take the quiz below and choose the coordinating
conjunction that expresses the relationship between the two ideas. Good luck as you try this
coordinating conjunctions quiz, and keep revising! Do share this quiz with your friends and
family.
Questions and Answers
1.
Shy people speak less, ________ they can speak when triggered.
A.
For
B.
So
C.
Yet
D.
Nor
Correct Answer
C. Yet
Explanation
Shy people speak less, yet they can speak when triggered. This suggests that despite their
tendency to be quiet and reserved, shy individuals are still capable of speaking up when a certain
situation or stimulus prompts them to do so. The word "yet" is used to contrast the expected
behavior of shy people with their ability to speak when necessary.
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2.
Bob looked at those expensive shoes, ________ he couldn’t afford to buy them.
A.
And
B.
Or
C.
Nor
D.
But
Correct Answer
D. But
Explanation
The correct answer is "But" because it shows a contrast between Bob's desire to buy the
expensive shoes and his inability to afford them. It indicates that despite his interest in the shoes,
he is unable to purchase them due to financial constraints.
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3.
Amanda can go to the market, ________ Sasha might stay home.
A.
But
B.
So
C.
Nor
D.
For
Correct Answer
A. But
Explanation
The correct answer is "But" because it indicates a contrast or contradiction between Amanda
going to the market and Sasha staying home. The word "but" is commonly used to connect two
contrasting ideas or actions.
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4. Paul exercises every day, _______ he needs to stay in shape.
A.
But
B.
Yet
C.
For
D.
Nor
Correct Answer
C. For
Explanation
The word "For" is the correct answer because it indicates a reason or purpose. In the given
sentence, Paul exercises every day because he needs to stay in shape. The word "For" connects
the two ideas and shows the cause and effect relationship between Paul's exercise routine and his
desire to maintain his physical fitness.
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5.
His shoes are dirty, _______ he has not washed them.
A.
For
B.
So
C.
Or
D.
Nor
Correct Answer
A. For
Explanation
The word "For" is the correct answer because it indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between
the two clauses. It suggests that the reason his shoes are dirty is because he has not washed them.
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6.
That guy is a cook, _______ he has cooking skills.
A.
So
B.
And
C.
But
D.
Yet
Correct Answer
A. So
Explanation
The correct answer is "So" because it indicates a logical connection between being a cook and
having cooking skills. It implies that the person's occupation as a cook naturally leads to
possessing the necessary abilities for cooking.
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7.
Susy went to the office, _______ she didn’t punch in.
A.
Or
B.
But
C.
So
D.
Nor
Correct Answer
B. But
Explanation
The correct answer is "But" because it indicates a contrast or contradiction between Susy going
to the office and her not punching in. It implies that despite going to the office, she failed to
complete the task of punching in.
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8.
My brother will take part in a tournament, _______ I want to be in the audience.
A.
Or
B.
So
C.
For
D.
Nor
Correct Answer
B. So
Explanation
The word "so" is the correct answer because it indicates a logical connection between the two
clauses in the sentence. The first clause states that the speaker's brother will take part in a
tournament, and the second clause states that the speaker wants to be in the audience. The word
"so" is used to show that the speaker's desire to be in the audience is a result or consequence of
their brother's participation in the tournament.
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9.
Sam couldn’t walk, ________ he was tired.
A.
Nor
B.
Yet
C.
But
D.
For
Correct Answer
D. For
Explanation
The correct answer is "For" because it indicates a reason or cause. In this case, Sam couldn't
walk because he was tired.
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10.
My boss and I went out to dinner, ________ we both ordered fried rice.
A.
And
B.
Or
C. Yet
D. For
Correct Answer: A. And
Explanation
The word "and" is the correct answer because it indicates that both the boss and the speaker
ordered fried rice during their dinner. This conjunction is used to connect two similar or related
ideas, showing that both actions occurred simultaneously.
Subordinating Conjunctions
What is a Subordinating Conjunction?
Subordinating conjunctions are parts of speech that join dependent clauses to
independent clauses. Sometimes referred to as subordinators or subordinate
conjunctions, these important words and phrases may also introduce adverb
clauses.
Write better and fasterGinger helps you write confidently.
Start writing with Ginger
Subordinating conjunctions are essential parts of complex sentences with
include at least two clauses, with one of the clauses being main (independent)
and the other being subordinate (dependent).
There is only one rule to remember about using subordinate conjunctions:
A subordinate conjunction performs two functions within a sentence. First, it
illustrates the importance of the independent clause. Second, it provides a
transition between two ideas in the same sentence. The transition always
indicates a place, time, or cause and effect relationship. For example: We
looked in the metal canister, where Ginger often hides her candy.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
In the following examples, the subordinating conjunctions are in bold for easy
identification:
1. As Sherri blew out the candles atop her birthday cake, she caught her hair on
fire.
2. Sara begins to sneeze whenever she opens the window to get a breath of
fresh air.
3. When the doorbell rang, my dog Skeeter barked loudly.
Subordinating Conjunction Exercises
The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how
subordinating conjunctions work. Choose the best answer to complete each
sentence.
1. _________ the basement flooded, we spent all day cleaning up.
1. After
2. Although
3. Before
4. Even if
Answer: 1. After the basement flooded, we spent all day cleaning up.
2. I don’t want to go to the movies _____________ I hate the smell of popcorn.
1. Although
2. Because
3. Whenever
4. So that
Answer: 2. I don’t want to go to the movies because I hate the smell of
popcorn.
3. I paid Larry, ___________ garden design work is top-notch.
1. Whenever
2. Whose
3. After
4. If
Answer: 2. I paid Larry, whose garden design work is top-notch.
4. ___________ spring arrives, we have to be prepared for more snow.
1. Because
2. Until
3. Although
4. Now that
Answer: 2. Until spring arrives, we have to be prepared for more snow.
5. _____________ the alarm goes off, I hit the snooze button.
1. As soon as
2. Because
3. Before
4. Now that
Answer: As soon as the alarm goes off, I hit the snooze button.
Subordinating Conjunctions List
There are many subordinating conjunctions. This list contains 25 of those
most commonly used.
After
Although
As
As soon as
Because
Before
By the time
Even if
Even though
Every time
If
In case
Now that
Once
Since
So that
Than
The first time
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Whether or not
While
Why
