A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, and clauses that have equal importance in a sentence.
When you're trying to remember which words are a coordinating conjunction is, remember the acronym, FANBOYS:
For
And
Nor
But
Yet
So
Whenever you use a coordinating conjunction, remember to place a comma before the conjunction.
- Example: The student has an essay to write, but their favorite football team is playing tonight.
When either independent clauses in a compound sentence contains a comma for introductory or other elements, a semicolon may replace the comma.
- The figures at elite universities, particularly, are enough to cause shock; yet the current increases at many schools are the lowest in a decade.
If a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, it is not followed by a comma.
Example: Yet the typical tenured professor’s salary of $43,000 still represents 10% less buying power than the equivalent salary in 1970.
Commas are not used between two verbs, subjects, complements, or objects joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Example: That confuses most universities and profit-making enterprises.
Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs (or sentence adverbs) indicate a connection between two independent clauses in one sentence, or they may link the ideas in two or more sentences. They may also show relationships between ideas within an independent clause.
Conjunctive Adverbs:
| also | however | otherwise | consequently | then |
| indeed | similarly | finally | likewise | furthermore |
| moreover | therefore | thus | nevertheless | nonetheless |
When a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses in one sentence, it is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma, avoiding run-ons and comma splices.
Example: Tuition increases, say officials, are driven by the universities’ costs; consequently, tuition income typically covers less than 50% of college budgets.
If a conjunctive adverb is used in any other position in a sentence, set it off with commas.
Example: Nonetheless, some colleges are making efforts to trim budgets.
Example: Secretary Bennett, however, maintains that more federal aid would encourage universities to count on the government to meet any increases they might impose.