Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
* For
* And
* Nor
* But
* Or
* Yet
* So
The Rule: You put a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses.
Independent Clauses: These are complete sentences that can stand alone.
Example:
* The cat sat on the mat, and the dog chased its tail.
* "The cat sat on the mat" is an independent clause.
* "The dog chased its tail" is an independent clause.
* "And" is the coordinating conjunction.
When you DON'T need a comma:
* When the conjunction joins two words or phrases:
* *The cat sat on the mat and under the table.*
* When the conjunction joins two dependent clauses:
* *Because the cat sat on the mat, and because the dog chased its tail, the house was in chaos.*
Key Takeaway:
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction only when it joins two independent clauses. If you're unsure, try reading the clauses aloud; if they sound like complete sentences, a comma is likely needed!