1. LITERACY ACROSS THE
CURRICULUM
JOINING WORDS

2. Joining Words help us link sentences together and
make them more interesting.
Words for Linking Sentences
Use this mnemonic to remember the key joining words:
F – For: Shows a reason or a purpose (can replace because)
A- And: Connects to similar ideas
N- Nor: Can be interchanged with 'neither' and compares a negative,
contrasting Idea.
B- But: Compares two contrasting ideas or highlights an exception.
O- Or: Highlights two choices
Y- Yet: Is used in a way to show an exception or a contrast to an idea.

3. For (‘I don’t eat peanuts for I’m allergic to
nuts.’)
And (‘The girl bought an ice-cream and a
lemonade.’)
Nor (‘Dad wanted neither the red nor the
yellow shirt.’)
But (‘John likes movies, but not scary ones’.)
Or (‘Should Mum have the strawberry or the
chocolate ice cream?’)
Yet (‘She was scared yet gave the speech
anyway.’)
So (‘It started to rain so I put up my
umbrella.’)
Examples of how to use FANBOYS

4. Other Joining Words that can help explain how
and why:
When, because and if
I was late because I missed the bus.
I was excited when I received a present.
I will be sad if I lose my hat.

5. When might using joining words be usefu
Writing instructions
Writing your CV
Writing an academic assessment
Creating a website for your new business
What next?
Go to our video clip or try a quiz.