Co-ordinating conjunctions
And, but and or: the conjunctions that join two parts as an equal pair.
The answer
A co-ordinating conjunction, such as and, but or or, joins two words, phrases or clauses that are equally important.
Examples
Priya and Sam built a den.
Joins two words.
We could walk or we could catch the bus.
Joins two clauses, each of which could be a sentence.
The sun was shining but the wind was cold.
Dad bought bread, milk and eggs.
How to spot it
- Each side is equal. If both sides are clauses, each could stand alone as a sentence.
- The national curriculum names three co-ordinating conjunctions: and, but and or.
- If the joining word makes one part depend on the other (because, when, although), it is subordinating instead.
The common mistake
Mixing up co-ordination and subordination.
‘They ate before they met’ is not co-ordination: before starts a subordinate clause, so the two parts are not equal. The glossary uses exactly this example.
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 1
- On the pupil word list
- Not as a separate term
Year 1 joins words and clauses with and. Year 2 teaches co-ordination with or, and and but. The word conjunction is on the Year 3 terminology list. The national curriculum spells it co-ordinating, with a hyphen; coordinating is also correct.
Try a question
Circle the co-ordinating conjunction.
Dad fixed the puncture, but the tyre went flat again.
Show the answer
Answer: but
But joins two main clauses that could each be a sentence: Dad fixed the puncture. The tyre went flat again.
Related terms
- Practise the 11+ skill: Select a clause connector
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
What about FANBOYS?
FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) is a memory aid from American schools. The national curriculum glossary names and, but and or as the co-ordinating conjunctions, and those are the three KS2 children are taught.
Do you need a comma before and?
In a simple list, British schools usually teach no comma before the final and: red, white and blue. Between two longer main clauses, a comma before but is common: I ran fast, but I still missed the bus.
Is it coordinating or co-ordinating?
Both spellings are correct. The national curriculum writes co-ordinating, with a hyphen.
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
Many 11+ English papers include grammar and punctuation questions alongside comprehension. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.