FANBOYS – ESLnote Grammar

FANBOYS is a mnemonic for the seven coordinating conjunctions in English: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. We use them to join words, phrases, or independent clauses that are equal in grammar and importance.

Quick Overview

Conjunction	Core Meaning	Common Use	Example
for	reason (similar to “because”)	formal/written	I took an umbrella, for it looked like rain.
and	addition	join similar ideas	She cooked and I cleaned.
nor	additional negative option	used after a negative; subject–aux inversion	I don’t like tea, nor do I enjoy coffee.
but	contrast / exception	show difference	He is young, but very experienced.
or	choice / alternative	offer options	Would you like rice or noodles?
yet	unexpected contrast	like “but,” more surprising	The task was hard, yet they finished early.
so	result / consequence	cause → effect	It was late, so we left.

1) How FANBOYS Connect

Level	Structure	Example
Words	item FANBOYS item	We need pens and paper.
Phrases	phrase FANBOYS phrase	She works in the city but from home on Fridays.
Independent Clauses	clause, FANBOYS clause	It started to rain, so we went inside.

2) Comma Rule with FANBOYS

When a FANBOYS word joins two independent clauses (two complete sentences), use a comma before it.

I finished my report, and I sent it to my manager.

No comma is needed when joining single words or short phrases.

We bought apples and oranges. ✅ | We bought apples, and oranges. ❌

3) Notes on Each Conjunction

A) for = reason (formal)

Often replaces “because” in writing; avoid at the start of a sentence in formal style.

The streets were icy, for the temperature had dropped overnight.

B) and = addition

Use for sequencing and emphasis. Repetition (“polysyndeton”) is stylistic: We laughed and danced and sang.

C) nor = additional negative

After a negative clause, nor uses inversion: nor + auxiliary + subject.

She didn’t text, nor did she call.

D) but vs yet

but marks simple contrast; yet adds surprise or contradiction.

He was tired, yet he kept running. (more surprising than “but”)

E) or = choice

Use for alternatives and conditions: Hurry up, or we’ll miss the bus. (implied result if not)

F) so = result

Shows consequence. In very formal writing, a semicolon + conjunctive adverb also works: It was late; therefore, we left.

4) Avoiding Run-ons & Comma Splices

Problem	Fix with FANBOYS	Other Fixes
Run-on: I was hungry I made pasta.	I was hungry, so I made pasta.	Use a period: I was hungry. I made pasta.
Comma splice: I was hungry, I made pasta.	I was hungry, so I made pasta.	Use semicolon: I was hungry; I made pasta.

5) Parallel Structure with FANBOYS

Items joined by FANBOYS should be grammatically parallel (same form).

✅ She likes hiking and swimming.
❌ She likes to hike and swimming.

6) Starting a Sentence with FANBOYS?

In modern style, you may begin a sentence with And/But/So for emphasis or flow—just don’t overuse it.

But we didn’t give up.
So we tried a different approach.

7) Common Mistakes

Comma splice: ❌ It rained, we stayed inside. → ✅ It rained, so we stayed inside.
Missing inversion with nor: ❌ I don’t like tea, nor I like coffee. → ✅ I don’t like tea, nor do I like coffee.
Unparallel items: ❌ He is smart and a good athlete. (mixing adjective + noun phrase) → ✅ He is smart and athletic.
Comma before a single verb phrase: ❌ We packed, and left. → ✅ We packed and left.

8) Forms at a Glance

Function	Natural Choice	Comma?	Example
Add ideas	and	Only with two clauses	She studied, and she passed.
Contrast	but / yet	With two clauses	It was late, yet they stayed.
Choice / alternative	or	With two clauses	Leave now, or miss the train.
Result	so	With two clauses	It rained, so we canceled.
Reason (formal)	for	With two clauses	We hurried, for the show had begun.
Extra negative	nor	With two clauses + inversion	She didn’t speak, nor did she smile.

9) Mini-Timelines (Flow of Ideas)

Addition: idea A — and — idea B → smoother, longer point
Example: He explained the problem, and he offered a solution.

Cause → Result: reason — so — effect
Example: The roads were flooded, so school was canceled.

10) Quick Practice Prompts

Combine the sentences with a suitable FANBOYS word: It’s cold outside. We should wear coats.
Fix the comma splice: I woke up late, I missed the bus.
Write one sentence with nor (remember inversion).
Write two parallel items joined by and (same grammatical form).
Start a sentence with But for emphasis.

FANBOYS: Coordinating Conjunctions