What Does FANBOYS Stand For?

FANBOYS is a mnemonic for remembering seven common co-ordinating conjunctions. These are seven crucial words that are used often in everyday English and which allow us to join together two ideas in a sentence.

Here are the seven co-ordinating conjunctions that form the FANBOYS acronym:

What is a Co-ordinating Conjunction?

A co-ordinating conjunction is a conjunction that is placed between words, phrases or clauses of equal grammatical value. You can use co-ordinating conjunctions when you want to give the same amount of emphasis to two parts of a sentence or if you want to compare two related ideas in one sentence.

How is a Co-ordinating Conjunction Used?

Here are some explanations for each co-ordinating conjunction:

For - Used to explain the reason or purpose for something.

• He went to the store for he needed some groceries.

And - Used to add or connect similar ideas or elements.

• I like coffee and she prefers tea.

Nor - Used to connect negative alternatives.

• She neither likes chocolate nor ice cream.

But - Used to introduce a contrast or exception.

• I wanted to go to the party but I had to work.

Or - Used to present alternatives or choices.

• Do you want pizza or pasta for dinner?

Yet - Used to express a contrast or unexpected result.

• She studied hard yet she didn't perform well on the test.

So - Used to indicate a consequence or result.

• It was raining so I stayed indoors.

What Are the 7 FANBOYS Conjunctions?

And

And is easily one of the most useful co-ordinating conjunctions and is used as a way to connect anything from similar ideas to objects and people.

Independent clause: 'I'm going to learn how to play the guitar.'

Independent clause: 'I'm going to learn how to play the piano.'

Two independent clauses with the co-ordinating conjunction ‘and’: ‘I'm going to learn how to play the guitar and I’m going to learn how to play the piano.’

Nor

Nor can be interchanged with 'neither' and compares a negative, contrasting idea.

I cannot go to work nor can I go to see the doctor.

I'm not going to learn to play the guitar nor the piano.

But

But compares two contrasting ideas or highlights an exception.

I can go to the pool but I won't swim.

Idea: I can go to the pool

Contrasting idea: I won’t swim.

It can also be used in a way that says, ‘not this, but that’.

The noise wasn’t coming from a computer, but rather a phone.

Or

Or highlights two choices.

You can choose a blue jumper or a pink jumper.

They were either angry or sad.

Do you want vanilla or chocolate cake?

Yet

Yet is used in a way to show an exception or a contrast to an idea.

There are five cars yet none of them are working.

I drank a full bottle of water yet I still felt thirsty.

So

So is used to show a reaction or consequence.

I ate a lot of cookies so there are none left.

I was feeling anxious so I went home.

What Does the National Curriculum Say?

The National Curriculum does not explicitly mention the FANBOYS mnemonic but it does mention co-ordinating conjunctions.

Teaching Resources on FANBOYS and Co-ordinating Conjunctions

How can you make your students into FANBOY fans? Finding new and interesting ways to teach different topics to children can be challenging, and creating engaging materials to do that takes a lot of time. That’s why Twinkl has ready-made resources for teaching FANBOYS that are as informative as they are engaging!

• FANBOYS Co-ordinating Conjunctions Poster - Ease children into the topic with this handy poster. The resource is a colourful list of the seven co-ordinating conjunctions and can be used for multiple purposes. For example, it will make a great display for any classroom or for a study room at home. This way, children will have the opportunity to check it during assessments or any time they want to remember how to use the conjunctions properly. You can also print a copy for each child and ask them to stick it in their notebooks, so they can refer back to it during writing tasks.

• Botanical-Themed FANBOYS Co-ordinating Conjunctions Poster - Be sure that all of your grammar resources match your current class theme by taking advantage of our many decorative options. This Botanical-themed FANBOYS fan is a perfect solution when you need to change things up a little, and you’ve chosen a calming botanical theme.

• FANBOYS Meaning - Co-ordinating Conjunctions FANBOYS Display Poster - Another useful poster you can try to make sure all your little learners will remember the acronym FANBOYS and the seven co-ordinating conjunctions. Our colourful poster explains when each conjunction should be used, and gives simple examples to help kids understand the topic.

• Co-ordinating Conjunctions Mini Test - Assess your children's knowledge about this subject using this teacher-made mini test. The resource includes three exercises with answers included. Our mini test is perfect for a quick and simple examination at the end of the lesson, but it might also go well as homework. This resource can also be used by parents, to help children practise the use of FANBOYS.

Teaching Video on Co-ordinating Conjunctions

Check out this concept video for the classroom. The engaging imagery and concise delivery are sure to help your kids get their heads around co-ordinating conjunctions the Twinkl way! This would make a great introduction to the topic at the start of a SPaG lesson -