Coordinating Conjunctions

Use for to give a reason or explanation, and it sounds a bit more formal than because. It connects an effect to its cause.

Use and to add one idea to another, whether you're joining things, actions, or descriptions. It shows that both things are true or happen.

Use nor to continue a negative idea after another negative, and it pairs well with neither. It shows that two or more things do not happen or are not true.

Use but to show contrast or an unexpected difference between two ideas. It signals that the second idea disagrees with or limits the first.

Use or to present a choice, alternative, or possibility between two or more things. It can be used for real options or hypothetical ones.

Use yet to introduce a contrast that is surprising or to add information that qualifies what came before. It is similar to but but often sounds a bit stronger or more formal.

Use so to show a result or consequence of what was just said. It connects a cause to an effect and often signals that one thing happened because of another.

Coordinating conjunctions keep equal ideas connected and clear. Use and to add, but to contrast, or to choose, for to explain, nor to continue negatives, yet to show surprising contrast, and so to show result.