Connective words and phrases are used to join sentences and clauses together or to organize the words within a clause. Seven “coordinating conjunctions” are the most basic of these and there is a handy acronym that can help to remember them all.

FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Using coordinating conjunctions

“I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

“She went west and found quickly found the right route.”

“Dan will bring you or Mary will stop by to pick you up.”

“The mountains are beautiful but they can get cold.”

“She was glad to leave yet knew she would miss her friends.”

“The crop must come in so the next can be planted.”

“Our grocery store has never carried octopus nor are they likely to.”

“Bubba was in the lead for he had the fastest car.”

Other connective devices

Prepositions, such as: to, by, at, in

Relative pronouns, such as: that, which, who, what

Conjunctive (relative) adverbs, such as: where, when, why, whence

Connective phrase examples

“Keeping this in mind”

“On the contrary”

“In spite of”

“Under these conditions”

“As soon as”

“And then”

“On the other hand”

“So that”

“Now that”

“After a short time”