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THE COORDINATING
CONJUNCTION
Recognize a coordinating conjunction when you find one.
And , but , for , nor , or , so , and yet —these are the seven coordinating conjunctions. To remember all seven, you might want to learn one of these acronyms: FANBOYS , YAFNOBS , or FONYBAS. CO O R D I N AT IN G CO NJ U NC T IO NS F = for A = and N = nor B = but O = or Y = yet S = so Y = yet A = and F = for N = nor O = or B = but S = so F = for O = or N = nor Y = yet B = but A = and S = so Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases , and clauses. Read these examples: The bowl of squid eyeball stew is hot and delicious. The squid eyeball stew is so thick that you can eat it with a fork or a spoon. Rocky, my orange tomcat, loves having his head scratched but hates getting his claws trimmed.
Rocky terrorizes the poodles next door yet adores the German shepherd across the stre et. Rocky refuses to eat dry cat food, nor will he touch a saucer of squid eyeball stew. I hate to waste a single drop of squid eyeball stew, for this dish is expensive and time-consuming to make. Even though I added cream to the squid eyeball stew, Rocky ignored his serving, so I got a spoon and ate it myself.
Understand the difference between coordination and
subordination.
Use a coordinating conjunction when you want to give equal emphasis to two main clauses. This is the pattern for coordination: Main Clause + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Main Clause. Subordination, however, emphasizes the idea in the main clause more than the one in the subordinate clause. Generally, these are the patterns: Main Clause + Ø + Subordinate Clause. Subordinate Clause + , + Main Clause. Read the pairs of sentences that follow. The first version coordinates the two ideas. The second version subordinates one idea to emphasize the other. To survive the fetal pig dissection, Rinalda agreed to make all the incisions, and Frances promised to remove and label the organs. To survive the fetal pig dissection, Rinalda agreed to make all the incisions if Frances would promise to remove and label the organs.
Because she gets seasick, Danielle is dreading the spring break cruise , yet she might enjoy herself once she realizes how many cute guys in skimpy bathing suits parade the decks. Even though Danielle is dreading getting seasick on the spring break cruise, she will probably enjoy herself once she realizes how many cute guys in skimpy bathing suits parade the decks.
Punctuate coordinating conjunctions correctly.
Three patterns in writing use coordinating conjunctions. Add commas when required.
PATTERN 1 — CONNECTING TWO MAIN CLAUSES
When you connect two main clauses with a coordinating conjunction, use a comma. This is the pattern: Main Clause + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Main Clause. Here is an example: While I am at work, my dog Floyd sleeps on the b ed, and my cat Buster naps in the bathtub.
PATTERN 2 — CONNECTING TWO ITEMS
You can also use a coordinating conjunction to connect any two items. These items can be any grammatical unit except main clauses. This is the pattern: Item + Ø + Coordinating Conjunction + Item Here are examples: My dog Floyd has too many fleas and too much hair. My cat Buster has beautiful blue eyes but a destructive personality.
PATTERN 3 — CONNECTING THREE OR MORE ITEMS IN A SERIES
When you have three or more items in a series , you generally use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Some handbooks and style guides will tell you that this comma is optional, but you should include it for the sake of clarity. This is the pattern: Item + , + Item + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Item Here is an example: Swatting olives off the kitchen counter , dragging toilet paper streamers through the house, and terrorizing Jacques Cousteau, the parakeet, have consumed another of Buster's days.
Yes, you can begin a sentence with a coordinating
conjunction!
Some teachers warn that beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is wrong. Teachers will typically tell you this because they want to help you avoid writing fragments. Other times teachers give this advice because their preference is not to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. What you should remember is that you break no grammar rule if you begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Because you might be breaking your instructors' rules, however, you should ask what their preferences are. If you decide to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, keep these three things in mind:
- Be sure that a main clause follows the coordinating conjunction.
- Do not use a coordinating conjunction to begin every sentence. Use this option only when it makes the flow of your ideas more effective.
- Do not use a comma after the coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are not transitional expressions like for example or first of all. Here are some examples:
