Coordinating Conjunctions and Compound Sentences

Compound Sentences

What are they? Two independent clauses (groups of words with a subject, verb and complete idea) joined with a coordinating conjunction.

(Subject+ Verb + complete idea), + Coordinating Conjunction + (Subject + verb + complete idea)

Punctuation? In compound sentences, there is always a comma before the coordinating conjunction

For more information, a video, and examples, visit this Learn American English Online explanation page.

Coordinating Conjunctions

What are they? There are 7 of them, and they are also called "FANBOYS"

Why are they called FANBOYS? Look at this:

• FOR
• AND
• NOR
• BUT
• OR
• YET
• SO

For more general information about the FANBOYS, visit this English Club.com page.
For a FANBOYS video lesson, watch here.

The easy ones are: AND, BUT, SO, OR (we use these often in speaking and in writing)

For practice with these (in both compound and simple sentences), try these activities:

• Practice 1
• Practice 2
• Practice 3

The trickier ones are: FOR, NOR, YET (because they are uses less often and more formal)

Yet  (in compound sentences) is essentially the same as "but"- just a bit more formal. It also expresses an element of surprise or unexpectedness at the idea it is presenting. We use this a bit more often in writing than in speaking.

Example: She hasn't finished her homework, yet she is going outside to play basketball. (What?? Why on earth would she do that if she hasn't finished her homework??)

We can also say: She hasn't finished her homework, but she is going outside to play basketball. (that means essentially the same thing.)

Note: Yet can also be an adverb relating to time! We use this form of the word much more often. I haven't done my homework, yet. (That means I expect to soon, and must do it, but have not yet.)


For (in compound sentences) is the same as because in meaning and placement. It is MUCH more formal and rarely used in speaking.

Example: She did well on the test, for she studied hard.  (shows cause and effect- why she did well)

We can also say: She did well on the test because she studied hard. (This means exactly the same thing, and is far more common in both speaking and writing.)

Note 1: FOR as a coordinating conjunction is VERY formal and rarely used in conversation in American English. It is generally saved for the most formal situations in writing.

Note 2: FOR is also a preposition, and it is VERY commonly used.

• I bought this for you.
• I have lived here for three years.
• Would you like to come to our house for dinner?

Nor (in compound sentences) is similar to AND, but negative. It connects two negative ideas.

Example: She didn't do well on her vocabulary quiz, nor did she do well on her math quiz. (two bad test results)

Note: THE WORD ORDER IN NOR COMPOUND SENTENCES IS STRANGE!

For more information and practice, visit my Google Doc.

For practice with all of the FANBOYS, try these activities:

• Practice 1
• Practice 2 (the answers are on the second page so that you can check your work)
• Practice 3 (You will have to print this one and bring it to your teacher to check)
• Practice 4 (A great page! Starts with advanced grammar details, and ends with three practice activities)
• Practice 5 (Write your answers on a separate page; check answers on second page of website)