What Are FANBOYS Conjunctions? Two Types of Conjunctions
Conjunctions
In English grammar, conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, and clauses. In some cases, they connect two independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that is complete in meaning by itself.
If you join two independent clauses without a conjunction or another appropriate expression, the sentence can become ungrammatical. For instance, the sentence below is ungrammatical:
× I have to study for TOEFL, I have to prepare for my university application.
This is ungrammatical because the two independent clauses are connected only by a comma. This common grammatical error is called a comma splice.
To make the sentence grammatical, we need to add a conjunction, such as and, in this case:
I have to study for TOEFL, and I have to prepare for university application.
English conjunctions can be categorized into two main types: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
The following table summarizes their functions and usage.
| Type | Function | Common Examples | Basic Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinating Conjunctions | Connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical importance | and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet | Often used to join two independent clauses with a comma | I had to finish my homework, so I stayed up late. |
| Subordinating Conjunctions | Connect a dependent clause to an independent clause | because, although, if, when, while, since, unless | Used to show relationships such as cause, contrast, condition, or time | Although I was tired, I kept studying. |
Two Types of Conjunctions
There are two main types of conjunctions:
- Coordinating conjunctions are often remembered through the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two independent clauses, a comma is usually placed before it.
- Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and connect them to independent clauses. Common examples include “because,” “although,” “if,” “when,” “while,” “since,” and “unless.” Comma use with subordinating conjunctions depends on the position of the dependent clause in the sentence.
In practice, a useful rule is this: when a coordinating conjunction (FANOBOYS) connects two independent clauses, a comma usually comes before the conjunction. With subordinating conjunctions, the comma depends on sentence structure. If the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma is usually used. If it comes after the independent clause, a comma is often unnecessary.
Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS)
Coordinating conjunctions are often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS, which stands for these seven conjunctions:
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
Among these, “for” can also be used as a preposition. Here, however, we are focusing on “for” as a conjunction, where it has a meaning similar to “because.”
Coordinating conjunctions can join words, phrases, and independent clauses. When they connect two independent clauses, a comma is usually used before the conjunction.
Example Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
She didn’t answer the phone, for she was in a meeting.
- First independent clause: She didn’t answer the phone
- Second independent clause: she was in a meeting.
As you can see, this sentence consists of two independent clauses. Since the coordinating conjunction “for” joins the two clauses, a comma is placed before it.
Here, the conjunction “for” functions similarly to “because,” introducing a reason.
He didn’t apologize, nor did he offer any explanation.
- First independent clause: He didn’t apologize
- Second independent clause: did he offer any explanation (he didn’t offer any explanation).
The second independent clause may seem unusual at first glance. However, this is because subject-auxiliary inversion is used after “nor.”
The original form of the clause is “he didn’t offer any explanation.” In English, when a negative expression appears at the beginning of a clause, inversion often occurs, and the auxiliary verb comes before the subject. In this sentence, the negative meaning is carried by “nor,” so “did” appears before the subject without “not.”
Here, the conjunction “nor” means “and not” and adds another negative statement to the first clause.
The task was difficult, yet everyone remained calm.
- First independent clause: The task was difficult
- Second independent clause: everyone remained calm.
This sentence contains two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction “yet.” A comma is placed before “yet” because it connects two complete clauses.
Here, “yet” introduces a contrast. The first clause suggests a challenging situation, but the second clause presents an unexpected result.
Subordinating Conjunction
Subordinating conjunctions are the other main type of conjunction. Simply put, many conjunctions other than FANBOYS are subordinating conjunctions.
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause, which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. For that reason, it must be connected to an independent clause.
Unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions don’t always require a comma. Whether a comma is needed depends on the order of the dependent clause and the independent clause.
As mentioned above, a dependent clause can’nt function as a complete sentence by itself, so it must appear together with an independent clause.
- Independent clause + dependent clause: a comma is often unnecessary.
- Dependent clause + independent clause: a comma is usually placed between the two clauses.
Example Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions
I stayed home because I was feeling sick.
- Independent clause: I stayed home
- Dependent clause: because I was feeling sick.
This sentence contains one independent clause and one dependent clause. The subordinating conjunction “because” introduces the dependent clause and gives the reason for the action in the independent clause.
The clause “because I was feeling sick” is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Because the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, a comma is usually unnecessary.
Although the task looked simple, it took much longer than expected.
- Dependent clause: Although the task looked simple
- Independent clause: it took much longer than expected.
Dependent clause: Although the task looked simple
In this sentence, the subordinating conjunction “although” introduces a dependent clause of contrast. The first clause creates one expectation, but the second clause shows a different result.
Because the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma is placed between the two clauses.
