English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Identify coordinating conjunctions
Identify coordinating conjunctions
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define what a coordinating conjunction is.
List the seven coordinating conjunctions using the FANBOYS acronym.
Identify coordinating conjunctions within various sentence structures.
Explain the function of a coordinating conjunction in a sentence.
Differentiate between a coordinating conjunction and other parts of speech.
Recognize how coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses.
Ever wonder how we link up different thoughts or ideas smoothly in our writing? 🤔 It's like building a bridge between sentences!
In this lesson, you'll discover special words called coordinating conjunctions that act as powerful connectors. Learning to identify them will make your writing clearer, more complex, and help you understand how...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ConjunctionA word that joins words, phrases, or clauses together.I like apples *and* bananas.
Coordinating ConjunctionA specific type of conjunction that connects words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical importance.She studied hard, *but* the test was still difficult.
FANBOYSAn acronym used to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.Remembering *FANBOYS* helps me find them quickly in sentences.
Independent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.The dog barked loudly.
Compound SentenceA sentence made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction and usually a comma.I finished my homework, *and* then I watched TV.
PhraseA g...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The FANBOYS Rule
The seven coordinating conjunctions are: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
Use this acronym to quickly recall and identify all coordinating conjunctions. Each letter stands for one of the seven words.
Connecting Independent Clauses
When a coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses, a comma must be placed *before* the conjunction.
This rule helps create a grammatically correct compound sentence. If you don't have two full independent clauses, you usually don't need the comma.
Equal Grammatical Weight
Coordinating conjunctions always connect elements that are grammatically similar or equal in importance (e.g., word to word, phrase to phrase, clause to clause).
This means you wouldn't use a coordinating conjunction to connec...
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Challenging
Which sentence correctly revises the following two sentences into a single compound sentence that shows a cause-and-effect relationship? Sentences: 'The research was not thorough. The conclusion was weak.'
A.The research was not thorough, but the conclusion was weak.
B.The research was not thorough, or the conclusion was weak.
C.The research was not thorough, so the conclusion was weak.
D.The research was not thorough, yet the conclusion was weak.
Challenging
A student wrote: 'The main character is brave, he is also reckless.' This sentence has a comma splice error. What is the BEST way to fix it using a coordinating conjunction?
A.The main character is brave, and he is also reckless.
B.The main character is brave he is also reckless.
C.The main character is brave, also he is reckless.
D.The main character is brave and, he is also reckless.
Challenging
Which of the following sentences uses 'nor' correctly to connect two independent clauses?
A.He didn't like the movie, nor I did either.
B.She won't eat broccoli, nor will she eat carrots.
C.They didn't finish their homework, nor they didn't study.
D.I am not going to the party, nor my friends are.
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