Conjunctions for Kids — FANBOYS & More

📖 Definition

What is a Conjunction?

Conjunctions are the bridges between ideas in a sentence. They connect words to words, phrases to phrases, and even whole sentences together!

I like apples and oranges. (joining words)

She wants to play but it is raining. (joining clauses)

We can have cake or ice cream. (giving a choice)

He studied hard because he wanted an A. (giving a reason)

💡 Without conjunctions:

"I was tired. I kept working. I wanted to finish."

✨ With conjunctions:

"I was tired but I kept working because I wanted to finish."

See how the conjunctions make everything flow so much better?

🗂️ The Types

3 Types of Conjunctions

🤝

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Join two equal parts — two words, two phrases, or two independent clauses.

Remember them with FANBOYS! 🎉

For

reason

And

addition

Nor

neither

But

contrast

choice

Yet

contrast

result

I want tea and cake.

She studied hard, so she passed.

He is tired but happy.

You can have cake or a biscuit.

🌿

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Join an independent clause with a dependent clause (one that can't stand alone).

because · although · when · while · if · unless · until · since · after · before · as · even though · whenever

She stayed home because she was ill.

He won't go unless you come.

Although it rained, we played.

When I grow up, I'll be an astronaut!

👯

3. Correlative Conjunctions

These always come in pairs! They work together to join parts of a sentence.

either...or

Either you study or you fail.

neither...nor

Neither Tom nor Sam came.

both...and

Both cats and dogs make good pets.

not only...but also

Not only fast but also smart.

whether...or

Whether rain or shine, we go!

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Grammar Hut

🔗

What is a Conjunction?

A conjunction is a joining word that connects words, phrases, or clauses together into one sentence!

Word + Word: "cats and dogs"
Phrase + Phrase: "at home or at school"
Clause + Clause: "I ran but she walked"

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FANBOYS

FANBOYS — Coordinating Conjunctions

Remember them with the acronym FANBOYS!

For — "I stayed, for I was tired."
And — "cats and dogs"
Nor — "neither here nor there"
But — "small but mighty"
Or — "tea or coffee?"
Yet — "tired, yet happy"
So — "it rained, so we stayed in"

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Subordinating

Subordinating Conjunctions

These join a main clause with a dependent clause.

because — reason
although — contrast
when — time
if — condition
while — simultaneous action
since — time or reason
unless — negative condition

"Because it rained, we stayed inside."

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Correlative Pairs

🤝

Correlative Conjunction Pairs

These always come in pairs!

both / and — "both cats and dogs"

either / or — "either tea or coffee"

neither / nor — "neither hot nor cold"

not only / but also — "not only smart but also kind"

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FANBOYS in Action

FANBOYS in Action! ⚡

One example sentence for each FANBOYS word:

For: I stopped, for I was tired.
And: I like tea and cake.
Nor: She can't swim nor dive.
But: I tried but failed.
Or: Cats or dogs?
Yet: Hard, yet rewarding.
So: Late, so I ran.

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Joining Sentences

🔧

Joining Sentences!

Conjunctions turn two short sentences into one longer one!

❌ Short: "I was hungry. I ate lunch."

✅ Joined: "I was hungry so I ate lunch."

❌ Short: "It rained. We played inside."

✅ Joined: "It rained but we played inside."

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