Final answer:
FANBOYS stands for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, which are used to connect two independent clauses in a compound sentence with a comma.
Step-by-step explanation:
The FANBOYS represent the list of coordinating conjunctions which include for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. These are used with a comma to connect two independent clauses in a compound sentence. It's important to remember that you should only connect two independent clauses per sentence to avoid run-on sentences.
An example of using a coordinating conjunction is 'I looked all over the house, but I couldn't find my keys.' Here, 'but' connects two independent clauses, and a comma is used before 'but' because it's a coordinating conjunction.
To create a compound sentence, you can join main clauses with a coordinating conjunction. Mnemonic devices like FANBOYS are helpful to remember these conjunctions. Compound sentences are essential for connecting ideas that are equally important and maintaining sentence variety in your writing.