| coordinating conjunctions |
| Definition: A conjunction that joins two items of equal syntactic importance. Note: According to tradition, there are seven of them: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Use the mnemonic FANBOYS to remember them. |
| Example:
(1) Bob and Dick (The and joins two proper nouns, i.e., two items of equal syntactic importance.) (2) I like him, but I don't love him. (The but joins two independent clauses — also two items of equal syntactic importance.) |