In this section, we’ll talk about how to use these words to link two items, but the conjunctions and, nor, but, or, and yet can be used to link lists of more than one (e.g. happy, excited, and joyful). Keep reading to learn more about using conjunctions in longer lists.
English Articles
Coordinating conjunctions: What are they and how to use them in English?
By: Lauren Gurteen, Isabel McKay Thu Sep 12 2024
The most important coordinating conjunctions in English are and, but, and or. A coordinating conjunction links together two words, phrases, or clauses that do the same “job” in a sentence. For example:
John and Lacy went shopping.
→ two subjectsMarcie went shopping and bought a new pair of shoes.
→ two verb phrasesNigel liked his ice cream and Beth liked her cake.
→ two “independent” clauses
In English grammar, though, the term “coordinating conjunctions” is often used to refer to a longer list of seven conjunctions called the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). In this post, we’ll introduce you to each of these conjunctions, teach you how to use them, and discuss why it is helpful to think of them as a group.
Table of Contents
What is a coordinating conjunction?
A coordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that is used to link two parts of a sentence together as “equals.” This usually means that they connect two parts of a sentence that do the same job. For example, a coordinating conjunction could connect…
What is connected? | Example |
|---|---|
two subjectsNo definition set for subjectsLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. | Sven and Mike have a nice apartment. |
two direct objectsNo definition set for direct objectsLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. | Lacy ate pasta with tomato sauce and cheese pizza. |
two indirect objectsNo definition set for indirect objectsLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. | Beth gave Sven and Mike a housewarming gift. |
two verbsNo definition set for verbsLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. (or verb phrasesNo definition set for verb phrasesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.) | Lacy watched TV and ate a pizza. |
two adjectivesNo definition set for adjectivesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. | Marcie is tired and slightly sunburned. |
two adverbsNo definition set for adverbsLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. | Beth swims fast and with great skill. |
two clausesNo definition set for clausesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. | Nigel will go to a party and John will buy groceries. |
Usually, you can reverse the order of the words, phrases, or clauses without changing the meaning.
Sven has a cat and a dog. = Sven has a dog and a cat.
Lacy watched TV and ate a pizza. = Lacy ate a pizza and watched TV.
In English, there is only one conjunction (and) that is a “perfect” coordinating conjunction. However, in this article we will introduce you to some other conjunctions that either follow similar grammar rules or have a similar use and function to the word and. Let’s start with the FANBOYS!
What are the FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions in English?
The FANBOYS are a group of seven conjunctions in English that we often call “coordinating conjunctions.” These conjunctions are:
First letter | Conjunction |
|---|---|
F | for |
A | and |
N | nor |
B | but |
O | or |
Y | yet |
S | so |
In this section, we’ll introduce you to the basics of how to use each one, then we’ll talk a little about why it is useful to look at these conjunctions as part of a group.
Tip
‘For’
For is used to provide a reason or purpose. It is rare in modern English and is especially rare in spoken English.
I have to go, for it is late.
She must travel to Brighton, for the sea air will do her good.
Tip
The conjunction for only links complete clauses.
Learn more about the conjunction for in our post on reason, purpose, and result clauses in English!
‘And’
And joins two ideas of equal weight that are equally true. It is the most basic conjunction in English.
The couch has red and blue spots.
She eats a banana, an orange, and a pear.
I like to dance, and I like to sing.
Tip
And is the most important and common coordinating conjunction in English.
As we saw above, and can link words, phrases, and clauses.
‘Nor’
Nor connects two ideas that are not true or did not happen.
My little brother doesn’t like spinach, nor does he like broccoli.
She never calls nor writes.
This word is uncommon in spoken English and sounds old-fashioned. Most people will just use the word or instead. But it is a little more common in writing.
When using nor, there are two important grammar rules to remember:
Nor can only come after a negation word like not, never, or (most commonly) neither.
✅ He neither speaks nor understands Japanese.
❌ He speaks nor understands Japanese.
But after nor we do not use a negative, because nor makes it negative!
✅ Laura does not like pasta, nor does she like soup.
❌ Laura does not like pasta, nor does she not like soup.
When using nor between clauses, you need to change the word order in the second clause:
subject
auxiliary verb
=nor
auxiliary verb
subject
he will go... → nor will he go...
If there is no auxiliary verb in the clause, add do! (just like when you ask a question!)
he likes → ✅ nor does he like
‘But’
But is used when both ideas are true, but the second one is surprising or changes direction.
We would love to go to Disney World, but we do not have the money.
She is strict but fair.
Tip
But can link words, phrases, and clauses.
But has almost the same meaning as yet. Read on to learn about the slight differences!
‘Or’
Or provides a choice – it links two ideas, but only one idea can be true.
Do you prefer roses or lilies?
We could go to the beach or the mountains.
Tip
Or can link words, phrases, and clauses.
‘Yet’
Yet has the same meaning as but. It links two ideas that are equally true, where the second is surprising.
I would like to go to the cinema, yet I still have so much homework to do.
I love him, yet he ignores me.
Yet is much less common than but, especially in spoken English. It sounds more literary. Also we usually use yet when the second idea is surprising for emotional reasons, rather than because it is factually surprising.
Tip
Yet can link words, phrases, or clauses, but it is most common between clauses.
‘So’
So connects a cause and its effect.
School was closed, so we all had a lovely day off.
It was a really hot day, so we all had ice-cream.
Tip
So only links clauses.
So also has multiple meanings. It is only a FANBOYS coordinating conjunction when it comes before the result of an action. Other uses of this word follow other rules. You can learn more about this use of so and about some of its other uses in our post on reason, purpose, and result clauses in English!
What are the rules for FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions in English?
The FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions in English make up a group because they all follow a few similar grammar rules:
They cannot start sentences.
They follow special punctuation rules.
Let’s look more closely.
FANBOYS conjunctions do not start sentences:
Officially, we do not start sentences with the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so.
Many conjunctions allow you to reverse the order of the two clauses that they link:
✅ I went to the zoo because I wanted to see an elephant.
✅ Because I wanted to see an elephant, I went to the zoo.
→ These have the same meaning!
But FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions always come between the words, phrases, or clauses they connect. You cannot move a clause beginning with a FANBOYS conjunction to the beginning of a sentence:
❌ For I wanted to see an elephant, I went to the zoo.
❌ And I ate some melon, I ate a banana.
❌ Nor does she like dancing, she doesn’t like socializing.
❌ But I do want a glass of water, I don’t want a glass of wine.
❌ Or do you want peas, do you want rice?
❌ Yet I didn’t see an elephant, I went to the zoo
❌ So I went to the zoo, I wanted to see an elephant
Tip
In informal writing or in written dialogue, you will sometimes see FANBOYS conjunctions at the start of a sentence.
“Oh! It is sunny today!” said Jilly.
“And do you want to go to the park?” asked Becky.
However, the coordinating conjunction still comes between two linked clauses, the clauses are just part of two different sentences.
Rules for using commas with FANBOYS coordinating conjunctions
There are three rules to follow for using commas correctly with FANBOYS conjunctions:
If you are joining two words or phrases together, a comma is not necessary.
Words:
salt and pepper
chalk or cheese
Phrases:
terribly handsome or fabulously rich
wonderfully generous but always broke
When you are using only one conjunction (and, or, or nor) with a list of three or more items, commas are needed to separate the ideas:
✅ I like chocolate, ham, and cake.
❌ I like chocolate ham and cake.
→ Chocolate ham?!?! 🤨
(Keep reading to learn more about making lists with conjunctions!)
Finally, if you are connecting two independent clauses with a FANBOYS conjunction, always put a comma before the coordinating conjunction. For example:
Clauses:
I went to the party, and I met the man of my dreams.
The bus was late, so we missed the concert.
Exception!
Many writers will leave out the comma before FANBOYS conjunctions, because English speakers do not always know the rule! This is especially common if the second clause is short, so don’t be too surprised if you do not see one.
🆗 I went to the party and I met the man of my dreams.
How to make lists with coordinating conjunctions in English?
The conjunctions and, or, but, yet, and nor can all be used to make lists with more than two members. We will first look at how to do this with and and or, as these are the most straightforward, then come back to cover but, yet, and nor in their own sections.
How to make lists with ‘and’ and ‘or’?
Usually, when you make a list with and or or, you will only put the conjunction between only the last two members of a list, and put a comma between the other members.
I will eat apples, cheese, a sandwich, and a pickle.
I will eat apples, cheese, a sandwich, or a pickle.
The comma before the conjunction in the list is called the “Oxford comma” and it is optional, but many people use it!
With Oxford Comma: ✅ I like chocolate, ham, and cake.
Without the Oxford comma: ✅ I like chocolate, ham and cake.
Check your style guide, if you are following one! Most publications will either always include the Oxford comma or never include the Oxford comma.
Tip
The Oxford comma is there help make your lists clearer in certain cases. For example, look at this sentence without the Oxford comma:
She brought her dogs, Bill and Bob.
This could have two meanings:
She brought her dogs and Bill and Bob.
She brought her dogs who were named Bill and Bob.
But with the Oxford comma, the sentence only has the first meaning:
She brought her dogs, Bill, and Bob.
Usually though, leaving out the Oxford comma makes no difference to the meaning of your sentence.
You can also repeat the conjunction between each pair of words you are linking, but usually we do this only for emphasis:
I will eat apples and cheese and a sandwich and a pickle.
I will eat apples or cheese or a sandwich or a pickle.
How to make lists with ‘but’ and ‘yet’?
You can make a list with more than two members using but and yet, however the meaning is a bit tricky.
When you use but or yet at the end of a comma list, only the last member of the list is surprising:
I will eat apples, cheese, a sandwich, but no pickles.
→ The only thing that is surprising is that I will not eat pickles. This sentence means: I will eat apples and cheese and a sandwich but no pickles.If you repeat but or yet over and over in a list, every member of the list needs to be a new surprise or contrast with the previous item. This is very uncommon.
Sven was happy but anxious but excited but tired.
→ We can repeat but because every member of the list is surprising given the last one: happy but anxious, anxious but excited, excited but tired
How to make lists with ‘nor’?
You can make a list with three or more members using nor. However, usually this only happens if you also use the word neither.
I am neither happy nor sad nor excited nor angry.
I am neither happy, sad, excited, nor angry.
If you do not use the word neither, it is better to just make a list with or.
I am not happy or sad or excited or angry.
I am not happy, sad, excited, or angry.
What are some other coordinating conjunctions in English?
There are several longer words and phrases that you can use like coordinating conjunctions in English. If the words all come together (e.g. as well as…), we call them compound conjunctions. If they are separated in different parts of a sentence (e.g. both… and…), we call them correlative conjunctions.
Category | Conjunction | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Correlative | both... and... | Both Sally and Megan came to my party. | Cannot be used to link clauses. |
either… or… | Either you’re with me or against me. | ||
neither… nor… | She likes neither cheddar nor stilton. | ||
not only… but also… | Not only do I have to get up early tomorrow but also I have to walk the dog. | When it links clauses, the subject and auxiliary verb in the first clause are reversed. | |
not just… but… | Not just her sister but her brother too? | Cannot be used between clauses. | |
Compound | as well as | She likes chocolate as well as ice cream. | Not usually used between clauses. |
in addition to | Sarah made dessert in addition to dinner. | Not usually used between clauses. |
Tip
To learn more about the words both, either, and neither in these correlative conjunctions, check out our article on all the uses of these words!
Summary
In this article, we have gone into more depth about coordinating conjunctions. Here’s what to take away:
Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, and clauses together in an “equal” or “symmetrical” relationship.
And is the most classic English coordinating conjunction, but the other FANBOYS conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so) follow similar grammar rules. For example:
FANBOYS conjunctions do not start at the beginning of sentences.
Commas are used before FANBOYS conjunctions that link clauses, but not if they only link two words or two phrases.
We looked at how to make lists with coordinating conjunctions.
We looked at some of the compound and correlative conjunctions that are also coordinating, like as well as, both… and…, and not only… but also….
Hopefully you have a deeper understanding of coordinating conjunctions now. But why not check! We have some fun coordinating conjunctions exercises you can access to test your new found knowledge, or you can download our coordinating conjunctions reference sheet to practice!
