NEVER begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction

You will NEVER

BEGIN a sentence

with a

coordinating conjunction

First, you will need to be able to recognize coordinating conjunctions when you see them.

And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet—these are the seven coordinating conjunctions. To remember all seven, you might want to learn one of these acronyms: FANBOYS, YAFNOBS, or FONYBAS.

F = for A = and N = nor B = but O = or Y = yet S = so

Y = yet A = and F = for N = nor O = or B = but S = so

F = for O = or N = nor Y = yet B = but A = and S = so

Chart and paragraph available at http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses.

Teachers warn students that beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is wrong. 

Teachers will tell you this for two reasons:

1.     they are trying to help you avoid writing fragments, and

2.   a coordinating conjunction’s role is to coordinate words, phrases, and clauses WITHIN a sentence, not to be used as a transition word at the beginning of a sentence.

Coordinating conjunctions are used within a sentence to...

·       Join independent clauses

o   I need to leave, or I will be late.

·       Properly establish a list within a sentence,

o   My aunt has a dog, cat, and bird.

·       Connect two concepts within a sentence

o   I want a ham and cheese sandwich.