In English there are 7 coordinate conjunctions, whose first letters make up the acronym FANBOYS. These highly useful words can help you make your sentences longer and include more information. Let’s take a closer look at this practical everyday grammar.

The 7 coordinate conjunctions in English are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, & so. Each of them are used to connect two things. It might be two subjects, two verbs, two objects, or two whole clauses. Most importantly, each of them shows a different relationship between the things it connects.

FOR: Indicates a reason or a purpose
We left the house early, for we knew the airport would be crowded.
I walked to the store, for I had run out of milk.

AND: adds extra information or connects items of equal importance
I had chips and ice cream this weekend.
We had dinner together and then we went to the concert.

NOR: introduces the second negative alternative in a sentence that already has a negative statement or "neither”
I enjoy neither coffee, nor tea.
He didn't quit his job, nor was he fired.

BUT: Introduces a contrasting idea or information.
I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining.
I studied but I still got a bad score on the test.

OR: Presents alternatives or choices.
Should I make more coffee or have you already had enough?
Are you going to Mexico or Hawaii this winter?

YET: Similar to "but," but often implies a surprising or unexpected contrast.
She is very kind, yet she is often misunderstood
The sun is shining, yet I’m still feeling sad.

Language of the Day: F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

The 7 coordinate conjunctions in English are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, & so. Each of them are used to connect two things. It might be two subjects, two verbs, two objects, or two whole clauses. Most importantly, each of them shows a different relationship between the things it connects.

FOR: Indicates a reason or a purpose
We left the house early, for we knew the airport would be crowded.
I walked to the store, for I had run out of milk.

AND: adds extra information or connects items of equal importance
I had chips and ice cream this weekend.
We had dinner together and then we went to the concert.

NOR: introduces the second negative alternative in a sentence that already has a negative statement or "neither”
I enjoy neither coffee, nor tea.
He didn't quit his job, nor was he fired.

BUT: Introduces a contrasting idea or information.
I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining.
I studied but I still got a bad score on the test.

OR: Presents alternatives or choices.
Should I make more coffee or have you already had enough?
Are you going to Mexico or Hawaii this winter?

YET: Similar to "but," but often implies a surprising or unexpected contrast.
She is very kind, yet she is often misunderstood
The sun is shining, yet I’m still feeling sad.

SO: Indicates a result or consequence.
I was hungry so I ate a sandwich
She won the lottery so she bought a house for her mom.

Language of the Day: F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

The 7 coordinate conjunctions in English are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, & so. Each of them are used to connect two things. It might be two subjects, two verbs, two objects, or two whole clauses. Most importantly, each of them shows a different relationship between the things it connects.

FOR: Indicates a reason or a purpose We left the house early, for we knew the airport would be crowded.I walked to the store, for I had run out of milk.

AND: adds extra information or connects items of equal importanceI had chips and ice cream this weekend.We had dinner together and then we went to the concert.

NOR: introduces the second negative alternative in a sentence that already has a negative statement or "neither”I enjoy neither coffee, nor tea.He didn't quit his job, nor was he fired.

BUT: Introduces a contrasting idea or information.I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining.I studied but I still got a bad score on the test.

OR: Presents alternatives or choices.Should I make more coffee or have you already had enough?Are you going to Mexico or Hawaii this winter?

YET: Similar to "but," but often implies a surprising or unexpected contrast.She is very kind, yet she is often misunderstoodThe sun is shining, yet I’m still feeling sad.

SO: Indicates a result or consequence.I was hungry so I ate a sandwichShe won the lottery so she bought a house for her mom.

FOR: Indicates a reason or a purpose
We left the house early, for we knew the airport would be crowded.
I walked to the store, for I had run out of milk.

AND: adds extra information or connects items of equal importance
I had chips and ice cream this weekend.
We had dinner together and then we went to the concert.

NOR: introduces the second negative alternative in a sentence that already has a negative statement or "neither”
I enjoy neither coffee, nor tea.
He didn't quit his job, nor was he fired.

BUT: Introduces a contrasting idea or information.
I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining.
I studied but I still got a bad score on the test.

OR: Presents alternatives or choices.
Should I make more coffee or have you already had enough?
Are you going to Mexico or Hawaii this winter?

YET: Similar to "but," but often implies a surprising or unexpected contrast.
She is very kind, yet she is often misunderstood
The sun is shining, yet I’m still feeling sad.

SO: Indicates a result or consequence.
I was hungry so I ate a sandwich
She won the lottery so she bought a house for her mom.