coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions

Word Cloud

How well do you understand coordinating conjunctions? red, yellow, green)

​What is a coordinating conjunction?

Coordinating conjunctions are the words we use to link ideas together to make a compound sentence. They always connect phrases, words and clauses.

In the compound sentence below, two ideas have been combined into one sentence with the coordinating conjunction ‘so’.

I am going on a bike ride, so I will need to wear my new helmet.

What is FANBOYS?

FANBOYS is an acronym used to help us remember the seven coordinating conjunctions used in the English language.

Multiple Choice

What do coordinating conjunctions do?

• Separate words, phrases, or clauses
• Emphasize the main idea
• Connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance
• Introduce a list of items

Multiple Choice

What does the S stand for in FANBOYS?

• sudden
• so
• silly
• sun

​FOR

The word ‘for’ is used to explain a reason or purpose. It can be used in a similar way to ‘because’.

​e.g. I think we will need to stay inside during lunch time today, for it is raining heavily outside.

​And

The word ‘and’ is used to show and link additional ideas into one sentence.

e.g. We are going on a holiday to visit my grandparents and to go snorkelling on the reef!

​NOR

We can use ‘nor’ to offer an alternative negative idea to another negative idea.

e.g. I would rather not have to play basketball, nor do I want to play football.

​BUT

The conjunction ‘but’ is used to show contrast or to compare ideas.

e.g. The ferris wheel was pretty fun, but the roller coaster was my favourite!

​OR

We use the word ‘or’ to present a choice or alternative idea.

e.g. You can finish the leftover pasta for lunch, or you can make a toasted sandwich..

​YET

The word ‘yet’ is used to link a different or contrasting idea to the first idea in the sentence.
It can be used in a similar
way to ‘but’.

e.g. I always buy the large pack of bobby pins, yet I can never find one when I need it!

SO

We use ‘so’ in compound sentences to help highlight a consequence or result.

e.g. I am allergic to peanuts, so I need to be very careful when I eat out.

Multiple Select

Which words are the coordinating conjunctions?

• but

• however
• because
• and

Multiple Choice

What is the coordinating conjunction?

I don't like tomatoes but I do like ketchup.

• like

• do

• I

• but

Multiple Choice

Which is the odd one out?

• nor

• and

• for

• while

Multiple Choice

What does FANBOYS stand for?

• for, and, nor, because, or, yet, so

• fun, and, nice, biscuits, or yummy, sweets

• for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

• for, and, not, but, or, yet, so