Coordinating Conjunctions

The coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join two independent clauses, or two nouns, or two verbs, etc. You can remember the coordinating conjunctions with the acronym FANBOYS.

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So

Run and hide!

The coordinating conjunction connects the two verbs.

We didn’t have much money, but we were happy.

Here are two contrasting states of being: not having much money, and being happy.

We didn’t have much money or much food.

I had chocolate cake, and Michael had carrot cake.

Note the commas before the coordinating conjunctions which separate two independent clauses.