1. What are coordinating conjunctions?
Just remember the FANBOYS…

2. FANBOYS For – means “because” or indicates a swap
And – joins similar ideas
Nor – joins negative alternatives
But – joins contrasting (disagreeing) ideas
Or – joins alternative ideas (choices)
Yet – means “but”
So – shows that the second idea is the result of
the first

3. Which FANBOY fits? I will trade my french fries _____ your tater tots.
I like to swim, _____ I don’t like to dive.
My hobbies are reading _____ singing.
I left my homework in my locker _____ by my bed.
We can go to the movies, _____ we can go to the dance.

4. Which FANBOY fits? I like neither mushrooms _____ olives.
We won the game, _____ we practiced hard all week.
English is difficult, _____ it’s important.
Suzy is cold, _____ she’s not wearing her jacket.
I did my chores _____ finished my homework.

5. Coordinating conjunctions (fanboys) join like grammatical forms
Coordinating conjunctions (fanboys) join like grammatical forms. This is called parallel structure.
Incorrect (non-parallel) usage:
Skunks are sneaky and they smell bad.
(1 adjective and 1 independent clause)
I like to read, write, and drawing. (2 present-tense verbs and 1 present progressive verb)
I have looked for my shoes under the bed, in the closet, and I looked behind the door. (2 prepositional phrases and 1 independent clause)
I am going to the game, but not eating at McDonald’s. (1 independent clause and 1 dependent clause)

6. Coordinating conjunctions (fanboys) join like grammatical forms
Coordinating conjunctions (fanboys) join like grammatical forms. This is called parallel structure.
Correct (parallel) usage:
Skunks are sneaky and smelly. (adjectives)
I like to read, write, and draw. (present-tense verbs)
I have looked for my shoes under the bed, in the closet, and behind the door. (prepositional phrases)
I am going to the game, but I am not going to McDonald’s. (independent clauses)

7. Punctuation with FANBOYS
When a coordinating conjunction joins ONLY TWO words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, NO COMMA should be placed before the conjunction.
Examples:
words: cookies and milk
phrases: at the beach or by the lakeside
subordinate clauses: what you say and what you do

8. Punctuation with FANBOYS
A coordinating conjunction joining THREE OR MORE words, phrases, or subordinate clauses creates a SERIES and REQUIRES COMMAS between the elements. The last comma (before the conjunction) is optional.
Examples:
words: peanuts, cookies, and milk
phrases: in the mountains, at the beach, or by
the lakeside
subordinate clauses: what you think, what you say, and what you do

9. Punctuation with FANBOYS
A coordinating conjunction joining TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES (clauses that can stand alone) creates a COMPOUND SENTENCE and REQUIRES A COMMA before the coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
Tom ate the peanuts, so Phil ate the cookies.
I live in Springhill, but I work in Shreveport.

10. Sample Item
Directions: Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.
Eileen bought new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and to treat her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen decided to buy new shoes for the party, purchasing a gold charm for her mother, and treating her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen purchased new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and lunch for Maria, her best friend.
Eileen bought new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and to treat her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen decided to buy new shoes for the party, purchasing a gold charm for her mother, and treating her best friend Maria to lunch.
Eileen purchased new shoes for the party, a gold charm for her mother, and lunch for Maria, her best friend.

11. Item 1
Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors.
Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking greet the pet shop visitors.

12. Item 3
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— viewing under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Alex looked everywhere for his math book— under the bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.