Coordinating Conjunctions“Hooking up words, phases, and clauses

AND OR NOR BUT

SO For YET

Each time you use a coordinating conjunction there is a rule that

governs whether or not you need punctuation

The Rules Are:

Each Part of the Rule Means Something

S = Could stand alone as a sentence NS= Could not stand Alone as a sentence CC= Coordinating conjunction …= Listed Item ;= semicolon ,= comma

S cc NS.

If what appears before the coordinating conjunction could stand as a sentence but what comes after could not, no punctuation is needed.

I went to the mall with John and Chandria. S cc NS

NS cc S.

If what comes before the coordinating conjunction cannot stand alone as a sentence but what comes after could, no punctuation is needed.

Endira and Steve went to the mall. NS cc S

If neither what comes before nor what comes after the coordinating conjunction could stand alone as a sentence, no punctuation is needed

My favorite movies are Shrek and Hidalgo.

NS cc NS.

S, cc S.

If what comes before the coordinating conjunction and what comes after the coordinating conjunction can stand alone as a sentence, put a comma after the first “sentence” and before the coordinating conjunction.

Physics is a very hard course, I know I can pass if I study hard.

S (with a comma); cc S.

If you have a sentence on both sides of the coordinating conjunction and the first sentence has a comma in it, use a semicolon before the coordination conjunction.

When I get home from school, I’m really tired; so I usually take a nap.

S; cc S.

When you join two sentences without using a coordinating conjunction, use a semicolon to separate the two sentences

The administration suspended Juan for six weeks; that is completely unfair.

…,…,cc…

When you list three or more items, put a comma after each item leading up to the coordinating conjunction.

I like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream.