Coordinating Conjunctions

The English language has seven coordinating conjunctions, and they’re easy to remember if you can just remember FANBOYS : for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Coordinating Conjunctions  F or - Explains reason or purpose (just like “because”) Example: Fans love to watch Anna, for she dances beautifully  A nd - Adds one thing to another Example: She is a graceful dancer, and people enjoy watching her.  N or - Used to present an alternative negative idea to an already stated negative idea Example: She hasn't taken dance lessons, nor does she need to.

Coordinating Conjunctions  B ut - Shows contrast Example: Her technique is unconventional, but her lines are extraordinary.  O r - Presents an alternative or a choice Example: She can fill an audience with joy, or she can bring people to tears.  Y et - Introduces a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically (similar to “but”) Example: Other dancers try to imitate her style, yet they have not succeeded.  S o - Indicates effect, result or consequence Example: She is talented, so she will attract fans for many years to come.

Practice  Directions : Circle the coordinating conjunction. Then circle the conjunction is used to show an agreement, disagreement, or reason.  1. I normally like to run, but today I am walking. agreement / disagreement / reason  2. I like strawberry and chocolate ice cream. agreement/ disagreement/ reason

Practice  Directions: try to fill in the blanks using the appropriate conjunction. Use commas if necessary.  1. My dad _______ I are going fishing this afternoon.  2. The old man doesn’t have much money _____ he always seems to have nice things.

Group Work

Identifying Coordinating Conjunctions in Text L. Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz for his daughter, but the book was much more than a child's story. Baum's book is a political allegory, yet few people today would recognize the original events in this story. The Wizard of Oz is a story of economic reform, for Oz is short for ounce and referred to the gold standard, and the characters represented groups in American society. Baum's original readers did not fail to recognize William McKinley as the bumbling wizard, nor did they fail to recognize William Jennings Bryan as the cowardly lion.

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