A coordinating conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses that have the same grammatical role. In tea or coffee, or joins two nouns. In The ferry left, but the bus was still waiting, but joins two independent clauses.
The seven coordinating conjunctions
Use FANBOYS to remember for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.
- For gives a reason. We walked back, for the last bus had left.
- And adds. Mina packed a map and a flashlight.
- Nor adds a negative alternative. We didn’t see a sign, nor did we find a map.
- But contrasts. The trail was steep, but we kept going.
- Or offers a choice. We can take the ferry or the bus.
- Yet signals an unexpected contrast. The route was long, yet we arrived early.
- So gives a result. The gate was locked, so we took another path.
When to use a comma
Use a comma in the standard pattern when the conjunction joins two independent clauses, as in The ferry left, and the passengers waved. In The passengers boarded and waved, the verbs share a subject. That simple pair takes no comma. See compound sentence for more examples.
