Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or
clauses. When they connect words or phrases, the words or phrases are usually
the same part of speech. When they connect clauses, coordinating conjunctions
can only connect two independent clauses; they must also be aided by a comma to
do this. Consider the following sentence for example:
"Benjamin and Robert ran
and swam at the fundraiser, but Julia threw a party and
played volleyball with Jessica."
·
In the first clause of the sentence (before the comma), there are
two coordinating conjunctions: two “and”s. The first "and" joins two
nouns: "Benjamin and Robert". The second "and" joins two
verbs: "ran and swam".
·
In the second clause of the sentence (after the word “but”), the
coordinating conjunction "and" joins two phrases: "threw a party"
and "played volleyball with Jessica".
·
In between the two independent clauses, the coordinating conjunction
"but" joins the two independent clauses with the help of a comma.
You can remember all of the coordinating conjunctions by one
simple acronym: FANBOYS: For, And, Nor,
But, Or, Yet, So.