Coordinating & Subordinating Conjunctions

Section 1

Where Did Conjunctions Come From?

People have been connecting ideas for thousands of years! Even before books were invented, storytellers needed little "glue words" to put their ideas together. Let's look at how conjunctions became a part of language.

Long, Long Ago

Ancient people spoke in very short sentences. "I ran. I fell." They needed a way to join these thoughts!

Ancient Greece & Rome

Greek and Latin writers started using words like "and" and "but" to connect their ideas. They called these words conjunctions, which means "joining together."

Old English (around 800 AD)

English speakers began using "and," "but," and "because." These small words helped people tell longer, more interesting stories.

Modern Classrooms

Today, you are learning the same powerful tools that writers have used for hundreds and hundreds of years. Conjunctions help you write like a pro!

So here's the big question: How do you pick the right conjunction? That's what this lesson is all about. Let's find out!

Section 2

What Are Conjunctions?

A conjunction is a word that connects parts of a sentence. Think of it like tape or glue — it holds pieces together. There are two main kinds you need to know: coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions

These join two equal parts. Both sides could stand alone as their own sentence. Remember the word FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Subordinating Conjunctions

These join an unequal pair. One part is the main idea, and the other part adds extra information. Words like because, when, if, after, and although.

Equal vs. Unequal

"Equal" means both ideas are just as important. "Unequal" means one idea depends on the other to make sense.

Why They Matter

Conjunctions make your writing smoother. Instead of many short sentences, you can build longer, more interesting ones!

✦ ✦ Key Takeaway

Think of a conjunction like a bridge. A coordinating conjunction is a bridge between two islands that are the same size. A subordinating conjunction is a bridge from a big island to a little island — the little island needs the big one to make sense!

Section 3

Picture It: How Conjunctions Connect

Let's see how coordinating and subordinating conjunctions work with a picture! In the diagram below, notice how coordinating conjunctions sit between two equal ideas, while subordinating conjunctions attach a smaller idea to a bigger one.

See the difference? With a coordinating conjunction like "and," both boxes are the same size because both ideas are equally important. With a subordinating conjunction like "because," the dashed box is smaller — it depends on the main idea. "It was raining" by itself doesn't tell the whole story!

Section 4

How They Work in Sentences

Let's look at each kind more closely so you know exactly how to use them.

Coordinating Conjunctions: The FANBOYS

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions. You can remember them with the fun trick FANBOYS:

THE FANBOYS TRICK

For · And · Nor · But · Or · Yet · So

Each letter in FANBOYS stands for one coordinating conjunction!

Here's what each one does:

For — gives a reason. "She wore a coat, for it was cold."

And — adds something. "I have a dog and a cat."

Nor — adds a negative. "He doesn't like peas, nor does he like carrots."

But — shows a difference. "I was tired, but I kept running."

Or — gives a choice. "Do you want milk or juice?"

Yet — shows surprise. "It was sunny, yet it rained."

So — shows a result. "I was hungry, so I made a sandwich."

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are words like because, when, if, after, before, although, since, while, and until. They start a part of the sentence that cannot stand alone.

"I smiled because I got a good grade." — "Because I got a good grade" needs the main idea!

"When it snows, we build a snowman." — "When it snows" can't be a sentence by itself.

"If you study hard, you will do well." — "If you study hard" isn't complete alone.

✦ ✦ Key Takeaway

Here's an easy test: cover up one part of the sentence. If both parts make sense on their own, the conjunction is coordinating. If one part sounds weird by itself (like "because I was tired"), the conjunction is subordinating. It's like a buddy system — a coordinating conjunction joins two buddies who can both walk alone, but a subordinating conjunction pairs up a buddy with someone who needs to hold hands!

Section 5

The Big Conjunction Chart

Below is a chart showing many conjunctions. Use it like a menu — pick the right conjunction for the job you need!

Conjunction	Type	What It Does	Example
and	Coordinating	Adds ideas together	I like dogs and cats.
but	Coordinating	Shows a difference	It's small but fast.
or	Coordinating	Gives a choice	Red or blue?
so	Coordinating	Shows a result	I was late, so I ran.
yet	Coordinating	Shows surprise	She's young, yet wise.
because	Subordinating	Gives a reason	I left because it was late.
when	Subordinating	Tells about time	I smile when I see you.
if	Subordinating	Sets a condition	If it rains, we stay inside.
after	Subordinating	Tells about time	We play after school ends.
although	Subordinating	Shows contrast	Although it's cold, I went out.
before	Subordinating	Tells about time	Wash hands before you eat.
while	Subordinating	Tells about time	I read while she cooked.
until	Subordinating	Tells about time	Wait until I get there.

Use this flowchart anytime you're not sure! First check if the word is a FANBOYS word. If it is, it's coordinating. If it isn't, check whether one part of the sentence sounds incomplete on its own. If it does, the conjunction is subordinating.

Section 6

Worked Example: Finding & Using Conjunctions

Let's work through an example together, step by step!

Finding & Using Conjunctions

Step 1 — Read the Short SentencesHere are two short sentences: "The dog barked." "The cat ran away." Both of these sentences are complete on their own. Can we join them?

Step 2 — Pick the Right ConjunctionAsk yourself: What is the relationship between these ideas? The dog barked, and as a result, the cat ran away. The word "so" shows a result. It's a FANBOYS word, so it's coordinating!

Step 3 — Join Them Together"The dog barked, so the cat ran away." Nice! Both parts can stand alone, and "so" connects them equally.

Step 4 — Try a Subordinating ConjunctionWhat if we want to show why the cat ran? We can use "because": "The cat ran away because the dog barked." Now "because the dog barked" cannot stand alone. It depends on the main idea. That makes "because" subordinating!

Step 5 — Check Your WorkCover up each half. "The cat ran away" ✅ works alone. "Because the dog barked" ❌ sounds unfinished. That confirms "because" is subordinating. Great job!

Section 7

Coordinating vs. Subordinating: Side by Side

Let's compare these two types so you can see exactly how they're different.

Feature	Coordinating	Subordinating
How many are there?	Only 7 (FANBOYS)	Many! (because, when, if, after, before, although, since, while, until, and more)
What do they join?	Two equal ideas	A main idea + a dependent idea
Can both parts stand alone?	Yes! Both parts are complete sentences.	No — one part needs the other.
Where does it go?	In the middle between two ideas	Can go in the middle or at the beginning
Example	I ran and I jumped.	I ran because I was late.
Memory trick	FANBOYS	If covering one part sounds weird, it's subordinating!

✦ ✦ Key Takeaway

Here's a fun way to remember: Coordinating conjunctions are like a seesaw — both sides need to be balanced and equal. Subordinating conjunctions are like a backpack on a hiker — the backpack (the dependent part) can't go anywhere without the hiker (the main idea)!

Section 8

Level Up: What Comes Next?

Now that you know about coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, you're ready for some cool upgrades as you grow as a writer!

What You Know Now	What You'll Learn Later
Joining two sentences with and, but, or	Compound sentences — sentences with two or more complete ideas joined by coordinating conjunctions
Using because, when, if to add details	Complex sentences — sentences with a main clause and one or more dependent clauses
FANBOYS trick	Correlative conjunctions — pairs like "either…or," "neither…nor," "both…and"
Using commas with conjunctions	Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs — using words like "however" and "therefore" with semicolons

You might also learn about correlative conjunctions, which always come in pairs. For example: "Both Sam and Mia like soccer" or "Either we go to the park or we stay home." These are like best-friend conjunctions that always work together!

The skills you're building right now are the building blocks for all of these future lessons. Every time you use a conjunction correctly, you're training your brain to write stronger, more interesting sentences. Keep it up!

Section 9

Practice Problems

Try these five problems on your own. Click "Show Answer" when you're ready to check!

PROBLEM 1 — WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?

What is the difference between a coordinating conjunction and a subordinating conjunction? Tell it in your own words.

PROBLEM 2 — FIND THE CONJUNCTION

Read this sentence: "I wanted to play outside, but it started to rain." What is the conjunction? Is it coordinating or subordinating?

PROBLEM 3 — PICK THE RIGHT ONE

Fill in the blank with the best conjunction: "We stayed inside ______ the storm was very loud." Choose: and, because, or or?

PROBLEM 4 — COMBINE THESE SENTENCES

Join these two sentences into one using a conjunction of your choice: "My sister likes reading." "I like drawing."

PROBLEM 5 — CHALLENGE: FIX THE SENTENCE

A student wrote: "Because I finished my homework." Is this a complete sentence? Why or why not? How would you fix it?

Summary

Lesson Review

Conjunctions are special words that connect ideas in sentences. There are two main types you learned today. Coordinating conjunctions — remembered by the trick FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) — join two equal and complete ideas together. Both sides can stand on their own as sentences. Subordinating conjunctions — like because, when, if, after, although, and while — connect a main idea to a dependent idea that can't stand alone.

To tell them apart, use this test: cover up one side of the sentence. If both sides work alone, the conjunction is coordinating. If one side sounds unfinished, the conjunction is subordinating. Using these little words correctly will make your writing smoother, more interesting, and more fun to read. Keep practicing, and you'll be a conjunction superstar! ⭐