FANBOYS
* For
* And
* Nor
* But
* Or
* Yet
* So
How to use FANBOYS:
* Joining two equal parts of a sentence: FANBOYS join two independent clauses (clauses that can stand alone as sentences) to form a compound sentence.
* A comma before the conjunction: You always need a comma before a FANBOYS conjunction when joining two independent clauses.
Examples:
* For: I went to the store for some milk. (This is not a compound sentence because "I went to the store" is not a complete sentence.)
* And: I went to the store and bought some milk. (This is a compound sentence because both "I went to the store" and "bought some milk" are complete sentences.)
* Nor: He didn't eat the cake, nor did he drink the soda. (This is a compound sentence because both "He didn't eat the cake" and "he did not drink the soda" are complete sentences.)
* But: I wanted to go to the beach, but it was raining. (This is a compound sentence because both "I wanted to go to the beach" and "it was raining" are complete sentences.)
* Or: Do you want pizza or burgers for dinner? (This is a compound sentence because both "Do you want pizza" and "burgers for dinner" are complete sentences.)
* Yet: I was tired, yet I couldn't sleep. (This is a compound sentence because both "I was tired" and "I couldn't sleep" are complete sentences.)
* So: I was hungry, so I ate a sandwich. (This is a compound sentence because both "I was hungry" and "I ate a sandwich" are complete sentences.)
Important Notes:
* Not for joining phrases: FANBOYS are not used to join phrases or dependent clauses (clauses that cannot stand alone as sentences).
* Watch out for run-on sentences: If you use a FANBOYS conjunction without a comma, you create a run-on sentence.
Example of a run-on sentence: I went to the store and bought some milk I needed to make a milkshake.
Corrected sentence: I went to the store, and I bought some milk. I needed to make a milkshake. (This is now two separate sentences.)