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Coordinating Conjunctions

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What coordinating conjunctions are, the FANBOYS chart, the comma rule, and practice worksheets with answer keys.

Download the coordinating conjunctions worksheets

FANBOYS charts

Two charts to keep: the seven coordinating conjunctions with the job each one does and the comma rule, and how to choose between and, but, or, and so.

  • Preview of the printable “FANBOYS: coordinating conjunctions” worksheet: knowing the seven coordinating conjunctions and the job of each oneView larger

    FANBOYS: coordinating conjunctions

    Knowing the seven coordinating conjunctions and the job of each one

    1 page35 KB

  • Preview of the printable “And, But, Or, So: which One?” worksheet: choosing and, but, or, or so by what the sentence meansView larger

    And, But, Or, So: which One?

    Choosing and, but, or, or so by what the sentence means

    1 page32 KB

Coordinating conjunction practice

Circle, choose, and fill in conjunctions, join two sentences with a comma and a conjunction, match sentence halves, add the missing comma, and sort sentences by meaning. Every page has an answer key.

Write with FANBOYS

Write your own sentence with each of the seven conjunctions.

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these coordinating conjunctions worksheets

Coordinating conjunctions are joining words. They join words, groups of words, or two whole sentences that are equally important. There are only seven, and the word FANBOYS helps children remember them: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Each one has its own job. For gives a reason (it means because): "Jada wore her coat, for the wind was cold." And adds another idea: "Theo fed the cat, and Mom fed the dog." Nor adds another "not" idea: "Ruby does not like peas, nor does she like beans." But shows a difference: "The hill was steep, but we made it to the top." Or gives a choice: "We can ride bikes, or we can go for a swim." Yet shows a surprise (it means but still): "The puppy was tiny, yet it barked very loudly." So shows a result: "It started to rain, so we went inside."

The comma rule: when a coordinating conjunction joins two complete sentences, put a comma before the conjunction ("I ran, and I won."). When it joins only two words, there is no comma ("Cats and dogs play."). A sentence made of two complete sentences joined this way is a compound sentence.

These coordinating conjunctions worksheets start with a FANBOYS chart and a chart for choosing between and, but, or, and so. Practice pages ask children to circle conjunctions, choose the one that makes sense, fill in from a word bank, join two sentences with a comma and a conjunction, match sentence halves (draw lines or cut and paste), add the missing comma, sort sentences by what the conjunction does, and write their own. Every practice page has an answer key.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.HUse coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

How to use them

  1. Start with the FANBOYS chart. Say the seven words together and make up a sentence for each.
  2. Use the and, but, or, so chart to talk about meaning: does the second part add, show a difference, give a choice, or show a result?
  3. Do the circle and choose pages next, reading each sentence aloud to hear what makes sense.
  4. Move on to combining sentences and adding commas, then write with all seven.

Teaching tips

  • And, but, or, and so are the ones children use most. Teach those first, then for, nor, and yet.
  • Before adding a comma, check that both parts are complete sentences with their own subject and verb.
  • But and yet both show a difference. Yet adds a surprise: "It was small, yet it was strong."
  • For as a conjunction sounds formal. It means because.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What are coordinating conjunctions?

Joining words that connect words or sentences of equal importance. There are seven: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FANBOYS).

What does FANBOYS stand for?

The first letters of the seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

When do you use a comma with a coordinating conjunction?

When it joins two complete sentences, put a comma before it: "I was tired, so I went to bed." When it joins two words, no comma: "salt and pepper."

What grade learns coordinating conjunctions?

Children use and, but, and so from first grade. Third graders learn all seven by name and use them to write compound sentences.

Do the worksheets have answer keys?

Yes. Every page with right answers has an answer key on page 2. Written answers show an example.