Coordinating conjunctions are easy to use and are used frequently in the English language. You will find that you use most of them quite often, and the way you use them should be coming more naturally to you. Some of the most common conjunctions are:

  • and
  • but
  • so
  • for
  • yet
  • or

Here is a review of how to use these different coordinating conjunctions.

Additional Ideas

When we want to add different ideas together, we use the conjunction word 'and.'

He went to the airport. He went to the airport, and he picked up his dad.
He picked up his dad.

We need to use a comma (,) when we use 'and' to connect two separate clauses, like in the example above.

When using the word 'and,' if the subject is the same in both parts of the sentence, you can leave the subject out after the conjunction. In these cases, you do not need to use a comma.

He went to the airport. He went to the airport, and he picked up his dad.
He picked up his dad.

In some sentences, the verb or auxiliary is also the same in the second part of the sentence. In this case, you can leave it all out so that you have only one subject doing multiple things.

He was driving to the airport. He was driving to the airport, and he was listening to music.
He was listening to music.

Again, you do not need to use a comma, as these are not two separate thoughts, but rather one subject doing multiple things.

Contrasting Ideas

We use the word 'but' very often to show a contrast between two ideas.

I like comic books. I like comic books, but I don't like movies based on comics.
I don't like movies based on comics.

Again, make sure you use a comma (,) to connect these two separate ideas.

Unlike with the word 'and,' we don't usually leave out the subject and verb when using 'but.'

Correct I like Batman, but I don't like Robin.
Incorrect I like Batman but don't like Robin.

Sometimes we can use the word 'yet' as well as 'but.' This is mostly used when we make a type of sentence called a concession. Concessions happen when there is a more unexpected contrast.

She says she doesn't like Peter. She says she doesn't like Peter, yet/but she keeps talking to him.
She keeps talking to him.

Alternatives

We use the conjunction 'or' when we want to give options or alternatives. The conjunction 'or' is often used with modals.

You could have paid me with cash. You could have paid me with cash, or you could have paid me with a cheque.
You could have paid me with a cheque.

Just like with 'and,' we can shorten sentences with 'or' by removing the subject and auxiliaries and verbs that are the same.

You could have paid me with cash. You could have paid me with cash or with a cheque.
You could have paid me with a cheque.

Remember that you should not put in a comma if you remove the subject or verbs.

A Result

We use the conjunction 'so' to show when a second idea is the result of a first idea.

I lost my pencil case at school today. I lost my pencil case at school today, so I will have to look for it tomorrow.
I will have to look for it tomorrow.

Cause and Reason

The conjunction words 'for' and 'as' are used more rarely in regular English. They connect two ideas, but the second idea is usually a reason or an explanation. We don't usually use these words in spoken English because they sound very formal.

I'll have to be at school early tomorrow. I'll have to be at school early tomorrow, for/as I have a meeting with my teacher.
I have a meeting with my teacher.

Exercise

Please open the exercise to continue.

Exercises

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