What are Coordinating Conjunctions? Definition and Examples for College Writing

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔑 Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and independent clauses.
• 🍎 There are seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS).
• ✏️ They create compound sentences when joining independent clauses.
• 💡 Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining independent clauses.
• 📝 Example: She studied hard, and she got a good grade.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT a coordinating conjunction?
   1. For
   2. Although
   3. But
   4. So
2. Which sentence uses a coordinating conjunction correctly?
   1. I wanted to go to the park but it started raining.
   2. I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
   3. I wanted to go to the park, but, it started raining.
   4. I wanted to go to the park but, it started raining.
3. Which coordinating conjunction shows a reason?
   1. And
   2. But
   3. For
   4. Or
4. Which coordinating conjunction shows contrast?
   1. So
   2. Yet
   3. Nor
   4. And
5. Which sentence requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction?
   1. I like tea or coffee.
   2. She is tall and thin.
   3. The dog barked and the cat ran.
   4. He studied hard so he passed the exam.
6. What type of clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?
   1. Dependent clauses
   2. Independent clauses
   3. Subordinate clauses
   4. Relative clauses
7. Which sentence uses the coordinating conjunction 'nor' correctly?
   1. He doesn't like apples, nor he likes oranges.
   2. He doesn't like apples, or he likes oranges.
   3. He doesn't like apples nor does he like oranges.
   4. He doesn't like apples, neither he likes oranges.