Understanding Coordinating Conjunctions

Front

The subject of a sentence is...

Back

The subject of a sentence is the person or thing that does the action.

It is almost always a noun or a pronoun, and it usually comes before the verb.

Front

A conjunction is....

Back

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.

Front

An independent clause is...

Back

An independent clause is a clause that can be a complete sentence.

It has a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.

Front

A compound sentence is...

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence with two independent clauses, connected by a conjunction.

Front

How do we use this conjunction?:

For

Back

to give a cause or reason.

Front

How do we use this conjunction?:

And

Back

To connect clauses that are similar.

Front

How do we use this conjunction?:

Nor

Back

"Nor" is used in sentences with two negative statements.

("nor" is always used with "not")

Ex: "I don't know what a compound sentence is, nor do I know how to write one."

Front

How do we use this conjunction?:

But

Back

To express a contrast or contradiction.

Front

How do we use this conjunction?::

Or

Back

To connect two possibilities, alternatives, or choices.

Front

How do we use this conjunction?:

Yet

Back

To express contrast or surprise.

(Usually, we use "yet" if something is unexpected.)