What are the 7 coordinating conjunctions?

There are 7 main coordinating conjunctions in English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Many students remember them with the word FANBOYS, using the first letter of each conjunction.

How do I explain coordinating conjunctions to my child?

You can explain that a coordinating conjunction is a small word that joins two equal parts of a sentence. Show simple examples like "cookies and milk" or "I was cold, so I put on a jacket" and point out the joining word.

When should a comma be used with a coordinating conjunction?

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses, which are parts that could stand alone as sentences. For example: "She wanted to read, but her book was missing." Do not use a comma when it only joins two words or short phrases, such as "apples and oranges."

Is "and" always a coordinating conjunction?

"And" is a coordinating conjunction when it joins equal parts, like two nouns or two clauses. In almost all school-level writing, "and" functions as a coordinating conjunction, but it still needs to connect similar kinds of ideas to be used correctly.

What Is a Coordinating Conjunction? Definition

Kid-friendly explanation

A coordinating conjunction is a little word that helps you stick ideas together. Words like "and," "but," and "or" connect things that are alike or related. Think of them as glue that holds two parts of a sentence together. They help your sentences sound smooth and complete!

Worked examples

Example 1 (simpler, for younger learners)

Sentence: "We brought sandwiches and juice."

Here, "and" is the coordinating conjunction. It connects two equal parts: "sandwiches" and "juice." Both are things that were brought, and the sentence would still make sense if you said only one of them: "We brought sandwiches" or "We brought juice."

Example 2 (more advanced, for older learners)

Sentence: "I wanted to go to the park, but it started to rain."

In this sentence, "but" is the coordinating conjunction. It joins two independent clauses, which are parts that could be sentences on their own: "I wanted to go to the park" and "It started to rain." The word "but" shows contrast between what the person wanted and what actually happened.

Going deeper

There are 7 main coordinating conjunctions in English, often remembered with the acronym FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So. Each one shows a slightly different relationship between the ideas it connects, such as addition, choice, contrast, or result.

Coordinating conjunctions can connect single words, groups of words (phrases), or full clauses. When they connect two independent clauses, a comma usually comes before the coordinating conjunction, as in "She studied hard, so she felt ready for the test." Understanding coordinating conjunctions helps your child write more complex sentences and avoid run-on sentences.

As students move into higher grades, they learn to compare coordinating conjunctions with other types of conjunctions, such as correlative conjunction, and to see how different conjunctions change the meaning and tone of a sentence.

Common mistakes to watch for

Using a comma without a coordinating conjunction between two sentences. Mistake: "I finished my homework, I played a game." Correction: Add a coordinating conjunction or end the sentence: "I finished my homework, and I played a game" or "I finished my homework. I played a game."
Starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction and then leaving it incomplete. Mistake: "But when we got to the store." (This is a fragment.) Correction: Complete the thought: "But when we got to the store, it was already closed."
Using the wrong coordinating conjunction for the meaning. Mistake: "He was tired, so he stayed up late." ("So" shows result, but the ideas do not match.) Correction: Use a contrasting conjunction: "He was tired, but he stayed up late."

How coordinating conjunctions show up in daily life

Coordinating conjunctions appear in almost everything your child reads or says. A friend might text, "Do you want pizza or pasta?" A sign might say, "Stop and look both ways." In conversations, your child naturally uses words like "and," "but," and "so" to tell stories, explain choices, and connect events.

Related terms to explore

To see how coordinating conjunctions connect to other grammar ideas, you might also like:

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What is a coordinating conjunction?