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English Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join words, phrases or full clauses of the same type. When they join two full clauses, put a comma before the conjunction.

  • CEFR A2
  • 10-question quiz
  • 2 exercises

This unit introduces the coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet. These words can combine equal elements, such as nouns, verbs, phrases, or independent clauses.

A conjunction is a word that connects words or phrases in a sentence that have the same grammatical function (noun + noun, verb + verb, adjective + adjective, etc.). A conjunction also connects two clauses to make one sentence.
Common coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Examples:
Julia and Sam are going on vacation. (conjunction connecting subject Julia to subject Sam)
I walked and ate at the same time. (conjunction connecting verb “walked” to verb “ate”)
We want to buy a small but cozy house. (conjunction connecting adjective “small” to adjective “cozy”)
They can watch TV or rest in their room. (conjunction connecting base verb “watch” to base verb “rest”).

When using more than two nouns/verbs/adjectives, we typically only use the conjunction once, and separate the other nouns/adjectives/verbs using a comma.

Examples:
Julia, Sam, and I are going on vacation. (Not: Julia and Sam and I…)
I walked, ate, and talked on the phone at the same time. (Not: I walked and ate and talked…)

Key vocabulary

WordMeaningExample
andadds one thing to anotherI need a pen and some paper.
butshows a contrastThe hotel was small, but it was very clean.
orgives a choiceWe can meet today or tomorrow.
soshows a resultIt was raining, so we took a taxi.
yetshows a surprising contrast, like butHe studied all night, yet he still failed the test.
forgives a reason, like because (formal)We stayed inside, for it was too cold to go out.
noradds another negative ideaShe doesn't drink coffee, nor does she drink tea.
FANBOYSa way to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, soRemember FANBOYS when you join two sentences.

Practice: English Coordinating Conjunctions

Work through the exercises, then test yourself with the quiz. Learn from your mistakes and try again as often as you like.

Exercises

Choose the conjunction

Complete each sentence with and, but, or, so, yet, for or nor.

  1. I need a pen ______ some paper to take notes.

    adding

    Show answer

    and

  2. We can go out for lunch now ______ later.

    a choice

    Show answer

    or

  3. The hotel was small, ______ it was very clean.

    contrast

    Show answer

    but (or yet)

  4. It was raining, ______ we took a taxi.

    result

    Show answer

    so

  5. She doesn't drink coffee, ______ does she drink tea.

    second negative

    Show answer

    nor

  6. He studied all night, ______ he still failed the test.

    surprising contrast

    Show answer

    yet (or but)

  7. We stayed inside, ______ it was too cold to go out.

    reason, formal

    Show answer

    for

  8. Would you rather take dancing ______ swimming lessons?

    a choice

    Show answer

    or

Join the sentences

Join the sentences with the conjunction in parentheses. Use a comma before it when it joins two full clauses.

  1. I was tired. I went to bed early. (so)

    two full clauses

    Show answer

    I was tired, so I went to bed early.

  2. The food was good. The service was slow. (but)

    two full clauses

    Show answer

    The food was good, but the service was slow.

  3. You can call me. You can send me an email. (or)

    same subject: join the verbs

    Show answer

    You can call me or send me an email.

  4. Julia is going on vacation. Sam is going on vacation. (and)

    join the subjects

    Show answer

    Julia and Sam are going on vacation.

  5. I walked. I ate. I talked on the phone. (and)

    a list of three

    Show answer

    I walked, ate, and talked on the phone.

Quiz: 10 questions

1. Which group shows examples of coordinating conjunctions?
2. Complete the sentence with a coordinating conjunction: 'We can go out for lunch now ______ later.'
3. Complete the sentence with a coordinating conjunction: 'I need a pen ______ some paper to write some notes.'
4. What is the function of a coordinating conjunction?
5. Which sentence does not have a coordinating conjunction?
6. A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence that are grammatically ______.
7. When 'and' is used before the last item of a list, a comma before it is ______.
8. Fill in the missing coordinating conjunction: 'Would you rather take dancing ______ swimming lessons?'
9. Coordinating conjunctions always come ______ the words or clauses that they join.
10. The main job of a conjunction is to ______ two parts of a sentence.

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