Conjunctions List: The FANBOYS Rule

Reviewed by the Grammarlyzer Editorial Team · Our Review Standards · Published January 22, 2026 · Updated July 16, 2026

The "Superglue" of English Grammar

📌 Quick Answer
A Conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses. The most common ones are called Coordinating Conjunctions. You can remember them with the acronym FANBOYS:

  • For (Reason)
  • And (Addition)
  • Nor (Negative addition)
  • But (Contrast)
  • Or (Option)
  • Yet (Surprise contrast)
  • So (Result)

Memory Trick: Just remember the fanboys cheering for grammar rules!

Quick Comparison

Focus What to Check Why It Matters
Coordinating join equal parts (FANBOYS) for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Subordinating attach a dependent clause because, although, when, if, since, while
Correlative work in matched pairs either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also

Comparing FANBOYS Usage

Word Meaning Example
For Because I drank water, for I was thirsty.
And Plus I like tea and coffee.
Nor Neither I don't like tea, nor do I like coffee.
But However I like tea, but not coffee.
Or Choice Do you want tea or coffee?
Yet Even so He was tired, yet he kept running.
So Therefore I was hungry, so I ate.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect an independent clause to a dependent clause. They show relationships like time, cause, condition, and contrast.

Relationship Conjunctions Example
Time after, before, when, while, until, since, as soon as After the rain stopped, we went outside.
Cause/Reason because, since, as, now that I stayed home because I was sick.
Condition if, unless, provided that, as long as You'll pass if you study.
Contrast although, though, even though, whereas, while Although she was tired, she finished the project.
Purpose so that, in order that She studied hard so that she could pass.
💡 Comma Rule for Subordinating Conjunctions

If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma: "Because it rained, we stayed inside."
If it comes second, no comma is needed: "We stayed inside because it rained."

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join equal grammatical elements.

Pair Function Example
both…and Addition (emphasis) She is both smart and hardworking.
either…or Choice Either call me or send an email.
neither…nor Negative choice He neither called nor texted.
not only…but also Emphatic addition She is not only talented but also dedicated.
whether…or Alternative I'll go whether you join me or not.

Common Mistakes

The Comma Splice

❌ Incorrect:

I love pizza, I eat it every day.

✓ Correct:

I love pizza, so I eat it every day.

You cannot join two sentences with just a comma. You need a conjunction (FANBOYS) or a semicolon.

Fragment After Subordinating Conjunction

❌ Incorrect:

Because she was tired.

✓ Correct:

Because she was tired, she went to bed early.

A subordinating conjunction creates a dependent clause — it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Add an independent clause to complete the thought.

Parallel Structure with Correlative Conjunctions

❌ Incorrect:

She not only sings but also a talented dancer.

✓ Correct:

She is not only a singer but also a dancer.

Correlative conjunctions must join grammatically parallel elements. If one side is a noun, the other must be too.

Missing Comma Before a Clause-Joining FANBOYS Conjunction

❌ Incorrect:

She wanted to leave early but her boss asked her to stay.

✓ Correct:

She wanted to leave early, but her boss asked her to stay.

When a FANBOYS conjunction joins two independent clauses (complete sentences), place a comma before the conjunction.

🎯 Test Your Knowledge

Choose the correct conjunction.

1. I wanted to go, ___ I was too tired.

2. It was raining, ___ I took an umbrella.

3. ___ she studied hard, she didn't pass the test.

4. He doesn't like coffee, ___ does he drink tea.

5. You can ___ call me ___ send an email.

6. I stayed home ___ I was feeling unwell.

Live Check: Is a Conjunction Doing the Joining?

The demo text joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Run it through the browser-based engine, then compare the result with the manual repair below.

Manual revision: I love pizza, so I eat it every day.

In the July 16 test, the engine returned no issues for both the comma splice and the revised sentence. Choose a repair manually and verify that the conjunction preserves the intended relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main conjunction patterns?

Coordinating conjunctions join elements of the same grammatical type. Subordinating conjunctions make one clause dependent on a main clause. Paired forms such as either…or and both…and coordinate matching elements.

Do I always need a comma before 'and' or 'but'?

Use a comma when the coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses. Do not add that comma when it merely joins words or phrases: 'I like tea and coffee.'

Can I start a sentence with 'And' or 'But'?

Yes, especially outside very formal writing, if the new sentence clearly connects to the previous one. In very formal prose, a different transition may fit the expected style better.

What is a comma splice and how do I fix it?

A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Add a suitable coordinating conjunction, use a semicolon, or make two sentences.

What is the difference between 'yet' and 'but'?

Both can mark contrast. Choose the conjunction that expresses the intended relationship and fits the sentence's register; the grammar checker may not determine that meaning for you.

How Conjunctions Connect Things

Conjunctions are essential because they link Nouns, Verbs, and entire ideas together.

Editorial Sources

Cambridge Grammar distinguishes coordinating conjunctions, which join elements of the same grammatical type, from subordinating conjunctions, which introduce a dependent clause. It treats forms such as either…or and both…and as paired coordinating patterns.

Read the Cambridge Grammar reference.

Purdue OWL documents the comma used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.

Read the Purdue OWL comma reference.

Real-World Examples

📏 Coordinating:

I like coffee, but she prefers tea.

But = coordinating (FANBOYS), joins equal clauses
📏 Subordinating:

Although it was raining, we went hiking.

Although = subordinating, makes one clause dependent
📏 Correlative:

Either submit the form online or mail it by Friday.

Either...or = correlative pair
💼 Business:

The product is innovative and cost-effective.

And = joins equal elements
❌ Starting Sentences:

And that's exactly why we need to act now.

A coordinating conjunction can connect this sentence to the previous one. Cambridge notes that very formal writing normally avoids sentence-initial but.
💡 FANBOYS:

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So — the 7 coordinating conjunctions.

FANBOYS is a memory aid for these coordinating conjunctions

Starting a Sentence with "And" or "But"

A sentence may begin with and or but when it clearly connects to the previous statement. Cambridge notes that very formal writing normally avoids sentence-initial but, so treat the choice as a register decision and make sure a subordinating conjunction does not leave a fragment.

When For, So, and Yet Are Not Conjunctions

FANBOYS names seven coordinating conjunctions. When one of these words joins equal elements—words, phrases, or clauses—it is acting as a conjunction. The comma rule is narrower: use the clause-joining comma only when a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses. Some FANBOYS words also serve other roles in other contexts:

  • for — a coordinating conjunction meaning because (“She left early, for the storm was coming”), and also a preposition (“a gift for you”). The clause-joining “because” sense is the conjunction use.
  • so — a conjunction meaning therefore (“It rained, so we stayed in”), but also an adverb of degree (“so tired”).
  • yet — a conjunction like but (“small yet powerful”), but also an adverb of time (“not done yet”).
The joining test

First ask whether the word joins equal elements. If it joins two independent clauses, place a comma before it. If it joins words or phrases, it remains a conjunction but does not trigger that clause-joining comma. If it is not joining elements, identify its role from the sentence instead of assuming it is a conjunction. Compare the clause test in comma rules, run-on sentences, and core sentence rules.

Related Articles

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Use the checker as one signal, then inspect clause boundaries and conjunction meaning yourself. The July 16 comma-splice test returned no issue.

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