6.1: Compound Sentences (FANBOYS)
- Page ID
- 481024
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FANBOYS Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, and clauses together.
The good news is that there are only 7 coordinating conjunctions! We can use the acronym FANBOYS to help us remember these 7.
image generated by ChatGPT DALL·E (OpenAI)
- F: for
- A: and
- N: nor
- B: but
- O: or
- Y: yet
- S: so
In general, fanboys (and fangirls) are highly enthusiastic, extremely loyal, and intensely passionate fans. Fanboys go beyond the typical "fan" behavior of strongly liking, appreciating, or enjoying a group, brand, idol, team, etc. Sometimes, a fanboy's devotion can become very important to their identity and sense of happiness. Communities of fanboys can unite people together and create a deep sense of belonging.
Just like how real fanboys join together people from all over the world, we can use coordinating conjunction FANBOYS to join together details, ideas, and even entire sentences in our writing.
- The exam was neither long nor difficult. ("nor" connects two words)
- My brother has shoes under the table, on top of the washing machine, and all over the hallway floor. ("and" connects three prepositional phrases in a list)
- I finished all of my work before 7pm yet didn't go to sleep until 2am. ("yet" connects two verb phrases with the same subject "I")
- I want to go shopping at Costco, but I have too much leftover food in the fridge, so I decided not to go. ("but" connects clauses 1 and 2; "so" connects clauses 2 and 3)
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses that are connected with a comma [ , ] and a coordinating conjunction.
An independent clause, also known as a complete sentence, has a subject and a verb or verb phrase (predicate).
Compound Sentence = independent clause + comma + FANBOYS + independent clause
| Coordinating Conjunction | Function | Example |
| FOR | gives a reason or explanation (similar to "because") |
Jane stayed home from work, for she was feeling unwell.
|
| AND | adds information or connects ideas |
I want to start my own business, and you are going to help me.
|
| NOR | shows and connects two negative ideas |
My boyfriend didn't remember to call me on my birthday, nor did he get me a gift.
In the second independent clause, the "helping verb" (does, did, is, are, etc.) comes before the subject. |
| BUT | shows a contrast or opposing ideas |
Tim tried to cook a romantic dinner, but it turned into a disaster.
|
| OR | shows a choice or alternative |
I can help you study, or you can review your notes independently.
|
| YET | shows a surprising or unexpected contrast (similar to "but") |
Jennifer already passed this class, yet she wants to take it again for extra practice.
|
| SO | shows a result, consequence, or solution (similar to "therefore") |
Sammy missed the bus, so he had to walk to school.
|
More Examples of Compound Sentences
Each example has something wrong or missing. What could you do to revise each compound sentence?
❌ She studied hard for the exam so she got a good grade.
- Answer
-
There are two independent clauses, so a comma needs to go before the FANBOYS "so".
✅ She studied hard for the exam, so she got a good grade.
❌ I wanted to go to the park, it started raining.
- Answer
-
There are two independent clauses connected with only a comma. This is an error called a "comma splice" because a comma is "splicing" (combining) two sentences together. We can add a FANBOYS connector word to correct this.
✅ I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
❌ I wanted to go shopping, but forgot my wallet.
- Answer
-
A subject is missing from the second independent clause.
✅ I wanted to go shopping, but I forgot my wallet.
Note: You can remove the comma to make this a regular sentence and not a compound sentence.
✅ I wanted to go shopping but forgot my wallet. ("but" is connecting two phrases that share the subject "I" so no comma is needed)