What is a coordinating conjunction, Examples, Rules, Exercise?

In this article, I am going to explain What is a coordinating conjunction, Examples, Rules, and Exercise. The conjunction is a word used to connect thoughts and ideas in a sentence. You may perform Conjunction Quiz for more understanding.

Also read: What is a Conjunction in English Grammar?

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Coordinating conjunctions coordinate or join sentences, main clauses, or other parts of speech of equal syntactic significance. Coordinating conjunctions, also known as coordinators, give equal importance to two main clauses. You may test your understanding with our online Coordinating Conjunction Quizzes!

Coordinating Conjunction Rules

There are seven words in coordinating conjunctions, so there are only a few guidelines for correctly using coordinating conjunctions.

1. To help you remember coordinating conjunctions, it’s a good idea to use the FANBOYS. These are:
   • F= for
   • A= and 
   • N= nor
   • B= but
   • O= or
   • Y= yet 
   • S= so
2. A conjunction that coordinates phrases, words, or clauses is called coordination conjunction. For example, this batch of mushroom stew tastes savoury and delicious.
3. Instructors warn against starting sentences with a coordinating conjunction. This is mainly because they want to prevent you from writing fragments instead of complete sentences. Sometimes though, it’s just personal preference. You can still begin sentences with coordinating terms if you follow these guidelines: Make sure that the main clause immediately follows the coordinating conjunction.
   • It would help if you didn’t use coordinating conjunctions to start all your sentences. Do not use coordinating conjunctions to begin sentences.
   • Commas are often used to follow coordinating conjunctions used elsewhere in a sentence. However, they should not be used after coordinating clauses that open sentences unless there is an interrupter immediately following.

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions

The following examples have italicised/bold the coordinating conjunctions for easy identification.

1. Olivia stood first and got a gift.
2. Liam and Noah went to the beach.
3. Sleep now, or you will miss the train tomorrow.
4. Oliver did not try hard, so he failed.
5. She is sad but not broken.
6. Emma and Elijah came here yesterday.
7. Elijah played well; still, he lost.
8. I told you but you did not hear.
9. William and James are good boys.
10. Alex is in good boy, but Robin is not.
11. Life is full of problems, yet none wants to die.
12. He and I broke up at least a year ago.
13. Sean and Nikita will go with us.
14. This sweater is very hot and itchy.
15. He is quick, and he reads clearly.
16. He is clever, but his girlfriend is cleverer.
17. I was sleeping and you made a lot of noises.
18. You must attend to me or you must leave.
19. I went to bed for I was feeling fatigued.
20. I will not say anything; otherwise, you might misinterpret me.
21. They can eat their cake with a spoon or fork.
22. Bill refuses to eat carrots, nor will he touch peas.
23. I hate to waste a drop of gas, for it is costly these days.
24. I love cooking and eating, but I don’t enjoy cleaning.
25. Madison is exhausted, yet she insists on dancing until dawn.
26. Play up to your potential; otherwise, you will be left out of the squad.
27. I’ll eat chocolate, vanilla, banana, or strawberry ice cream.
28. My dog enjoys being bathed but hates getting his nails trimmed.
29. Benjamin would like a hamburger or a chicken burger for his lunch.
30. Addison needed to be somewhere quiet, so she took her purse and went to the beach.

Coordinating Conjunctions List

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions. The complete list is here.

1. For
2. And
3. Nor
4. But
5. Or
6. Yet
7. So

Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises

These exercises will help you understand how coordinating conjunctions work. To complete each sentence, choose the best answer.

1. Would you rather have bologna _____ cheese on your sandwich?
2. His two favorite sports are baseball ______ cricket.
3. I wanted to go to the park, _______ Stella refused.
4. I am allergic to dogs, ­­­­______ I have three of them.
5. I am a vegetarian, ­­­­_______ I don’t eat chicken.
6. Henry will be late to work, _____ he has a dental appointment.
7. Victoria does not like to swim, ____ does she enjoy biking.
8. Natalia wanted to eat another piece of cake, ____ she was on a diet.

Answer Key:

1. Would you rather have bologna or cheese on your sandwich?
2. His two favorite sports are baseball and cricket.
3. I wanted to go to the park, but Stella refused.
4. I am allergic to dogs, yet I have three of them.
5. I am a vegetarian, ­­­­so I don’t eat chicken.
6. Henry will be late to work, for he has a dental appointment.
7. Victoria does not like to swim, nor does she enjoy biking.
8. Natalia wanted to eat another piece of cake, but she was on a diet.

What is a coordinating conjunction InfoGraphics

Here are some printable infographics about what is a coordinating conjunction? Printable infographics are a fantastic way to share a significant amount of details in a short time in a stunning way. The coordinating conjunction with Examples infographic can help teachers and students to share their thoughts easily.

My Considerations

With this set of rules of using coordinating conjunction with Examples, you will quickly determine whether you are making the most effective use of the coordinating conjunction and how they could be used to enhance English writing skills.

Since the coordinating conjunctions are the main part of English Grammar, the importance of developing English learning skills cannot be undervalued without Rules of Using coordinating conjunction with Examples.

You can read the above sample sentences about what is a coordinating conjunction to improve your understanding of English grammar.

Encourage your children to learn these basic but commonly used coordinating conjunction with Examples, by following the simple example sentences given above. Then, save this list of Coordinating Conjunction Example Sentences, handy for your kids in the future.

If you enjoyed a printable infographic about what is a coordinating conjunction, I’d be very thankful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to your friends or sharing it on Pinterest, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Thank you!

Also read: Adjectives That Start With Y

Recap of what we just learned

• What is a coordinating conjunction, Examples, Rules, Exercise?
• What is a coordinating conjunction?
• Coordinating Conjunction Rules
• Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions
• Coordinating Conjunctions List
• Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises
• Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises
• What is a coordinating conjunction InfoGraphics

With ESLBLOCK, you will not face problems studying new ideas. If you are in doubt, about the qualities of blog posts about what is a coordinating conjunction, reach us through our blog’s comment section. Keep checking back! We’ll attempt to give you feedback as early as possible. Thank you!

Also read: Adjectives That Start With Z

Coordinating Conjunction Quizzes

Related Topics

Explore the full list of Adjectives to Describe a Person from A to Z!