2.12: Coordinating Conjunctions

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    A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two independent clauses. The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so. Note that a comma precedes the coordinating conjunction when joining two clauses.

    Table of Coordinating Conjunctions with Example Sentences

    Independent Clause

    Coordinating Conjunction

    Independent Clause

    Revised Sentence

    I will not be attending the dance.

    “for” indicates a reason or cause

    I have no one to go with.

    I will not be attending the dance,for I have no one to go with.

    I plan to stay at home.

    “and” joins two ideas

    I will complete an essay for class.

    I plan to stay at home, and I will complete an essay for class.

    Jessie isn’t going to be at the dance.

    “nor” indicates a negative

    Tom won’t be there either.

    Jessie isn’t going to be at the dance, nor will Tom be there.

    The fundraisers are hoping for a record-breaking attendance.

    “but” indicates a negative

    I don’t think many people are going.

    The fundraisers are hoping for a record-breaking attendance,but I don’t think many people are going.

    I might go to the next fundraising event.

    “or” offers an alternative

    I might donate some money to the cause.

    I might go to the next fundraising event, or I might donate some money to the cause.

    My parents are worried that I am antisocial.

    “yet” indicates a reason

    I have many friends at school.

    My parents are worried that I am antisocial. ,yet I have many friends at school.

    Buying a new dress is expensive.

    “so” indicates a result

    By staying home, I will save money.

    Buying a new dress is expensive, so by staying home, I will save money.

    Tip: To help you remember the seven coordinating conjunctions, think of the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Remember that when you use a coordinating conjunction in a sentence, a comma should precede it.

    Conjunctive Adverbs

    Another method of joining two independent clauses with related and equal ideas is to use a conjunctive adverb and semicolon. A conjunctive adverb is a linking word that demonstrates a relationship between two clauses.

    Since the below sentences contain two equal and related ideas, they may be joined using a conjunctive adverb. Notice that the conjunctive adverb comes after the semicolon that separates the two clauses and has a comma after it.

    Ex:Bridget wants to take part in the next Olympics. She trains every day.

    Ex: Bridget wants to take part in the next Olympics ;therefore, she trains every day.

    Review the following chart of some common conjunctive adverbs with examples of how they are used:

    table of conjunctive adverbs with examples

    Function

    Conjunctive Adverb

    Example

    Addition

    also, furthermore, moreover besides

    Alicia was late for class and stuck in traffic; furthermore, her shoe heel had broken and she had forgotten her lunch.

    Comparison

    similarly, likewise

    Recycling aluminum cans is beneficial to the environment ; similarly, reusing plastic bags and switching off lights reduce waste.

    Contrast

    instead , however, conversely

    Most people do not walk to work; instead, they drive or take the train.

    Emphasis

    namely, certainly, indeed

    The Syberian tiger is a rare creature; indeed, there are fewer than 500 left in wild.

    Cause & Effect

    accordingly, consequently, hence, thus

    I missed my train this morning; consequently, I was late for my meeting.

    Time

    finally, next, subsequently, then

    Tim crossed the barrier, jumped over the wall, and pushed through the hole in the fence; finally, he made it to the station.

    Exercise 12

    Combine each sentence pair into a single sentence using either a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb.

    Example:

    • Pets are not allowed in Ms. Wallace’s building.
    • She owns several cats and a parrot.

    __Pets are not allowed in Ms. Wallace’s building ; however, she owns several cats and a parrot.

    Pair 1

    • New legislation prevents drivers from sending or reading text messages while driving.
    • Many people continue to use their phones illegally.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    Pair 2

    • The coroner concluded that the young man had taken a lethal drug.
    • By the time his relative found him, nothing could be done.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    Pair 3

    • Amphibians are vertebrates that live on land and in the water.
    • Flatworms are invertebrates that live only in water.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    Pair 4

    • Priya carefully fed and watered her tomato plants all summer.
    • The tomatoes grew juicy and ripe.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    Pair 5

    • When he lost his care key, James attempted to open the door with a wire hanger, a credit card, and a paperclip.
    • He called the manufacturer for advice.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    2.12: Coordinating Conjunctions is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.