English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Identify coordinating conjunctions
Identify coordinating conjunctions
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define what a coordinating conjunction is.
Identify the seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) in sentences.
Explain the function of coordinating conjunctions in connecting words, phrases, and clauses.
Distinguish between independent and dependent clauses when coordinating conjunctions are used.
Correctly punctuate sentences that use coordinating conjunctions to join independent clauses.
Analyze how coordinating conjunctions impact sentence structure and meaning.
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In this lesson, you'll discover the powerful role of coordinating conjunctions in English. You'll learn to identify these key words and unde...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ConjunctionA word that joins words, phrases, or clauses together.The words 'and', 'but', and 'or' are all types of conjunctions.
Coordinating ConjunctionA specific type of conjunction that connects words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical rank.In 'I like pizza, and I like pasta,' 'and' is a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses.
FANBOYSAn acronym used to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.Remembering 'FANBOYS' helps you quickly list all the coordinating conjunctions.
Independent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought; it can stand alone as a sentence.'The dog barked loudly...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The FANBOYS Rule
There are only seven coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
Use this acronym to quickly recall all coordinating conjunctions. Each one serves a specific purpose in connecting ideas (e.g., 'for' shows reason, 'and' adds, 'but' contrasts).
Connecting Equal Grammatical Units
Coordinating conjunctions always connect items of equal grammatical importance (word to word, phrase to phrase, or independent clause to independent clause).
This means you can't use a coordinating conjunction to join an independent clause with a dependent clause. They connect elements that could stand alone or are of the same type, ensuring grammatical balance.
Comma Rule for Independent Clauses
When a coordinating conjunction j...
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Challenging
A writer wants to connect two ideas: 1) The protagonist achieved her goal. 2) She lost her friends in the process. Which sentence best uses a coordinating conjunction to convey the tragic irony of her success?
A.The protagonist achieved her goal, but she lost her friends in the process.
B.The protagonist achieved her goal, so she lost her friends in the process.
C.The protagonist achieved her goal, and she lost her friends in the process.
D.The protagonist achieved her goal, or she lost her friends in the process.
Challenging
Read the sentences: 'The author's style is minimalist. It is also powerful.' How could these be combined using a coordinating conjunction to create a more sophisticated sentence that emphasizes the connection between the two qualities?
A.The author's style is minimalist, or it is powerful.
B.The author's style is minimalist, so it is powerful.
C.The author's style is minimalist, for it is powerful.
D.The author's style is minimalist, yet it is also powerful.
Challenging
A student writes: 'The character is neither heroic nor is he villainous.' While 'nor' is a coordinating conjunction, this sentence is awkward. The 'Connecting Equal Grammatical Units' rule is violated because 'heroic' (an adjective) is not parallel to 'is he villainous' (a clause). Which revision is grammatically parallel?
A.The character is neither heroic, nor villainous.
B.The character is neither heroic nor villainous.
C.The character is not heroic, nor he is villainous.
D.Neither is the character heroic, nor is he villainous.
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